DA condemns Unlawful Imprisonment of Tanzania’s opposition leader

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA 

DA condemns Unlawful Imprisonment of Tanzania’s opposition leader

The DA condemns the unlawful jailing of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu on false charges.

Ramaphosa and Lamola’s silence shows the ANC’s allegiance to autocrats over democracy.

South Africa must act to defend democracy in SADC or risk regional instability.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the unlawful imprisonment of Tanzania’s opposition leader, Tundu Lissu of the Party for Democracy and Progress (CHADEMA) on trumped-up charges of treason by the Tanzanian government as the country holds its general election today.

The detainment of Tundu Lissu, along with fellow Tanzanian opposition politician, John Heche, marks an alarming trend of democratic backsliding that has become commonplace in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) while the South African government watches on.

The deafening silence by President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Ronald Lamola, on these developments is indicative of the ANC’s allegiance not to the principles of freedom and democracy enshrined in our constitution, but to the African brotherhood of despots which continues to hold Southern African nations hostage to satiate their own greed and desire for power beyond the confines of the rule of law.

President Ramaphosa and Minister Lamola continue to publicly state that South Africa’s foreign policy is underpinned by the values of freedom, democracy, and human rights outlined in the constitution of the republic.

Their words ring hollow as they continue to tacitly endorse and celebrate their SADC counterparts who continue to trample on democracy and silence the voices of their people to prolong the tyranny of African liberation movements turned dictatorships.

Furthermore, South Africa’s pursuit of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is stillborn if liberal democracy and government stability and transparency are not upheld as a vital framework upon which regional African economies can develop and integrate.

It is not in South Africa’s national interest to be surrounded by non-democratic and illiberal nation states which threaten our social and economic stability in turn.

The DA calls on President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister Ronald Lamola to take seriously their sworn allegiance to the South African constitution, and the wellbeing of Southern Africa’s people, by using our country’s role as a regional power to speak out against the flagrant attack on democracy in Tanzania and SADC at large.

As we have seen in Zimbabwe, our failure to address the democratic backslide in our region ultimately becomes South Africa’s cross to bear.

Today’s election in Tanzania is neither free nor fair when the state apparatus is being used to muzzle opposition leaders and control democratic processes.

It is binding on South Africa to advance freedom and democracy in our region in the spirits of the thousands of our citizens who died fighting for it.

Anything less is an act of submission to the values which would destroy our constitution and its internationally renowned liberal values along with it.

MAKEKASIGREAT©®™ @KASIBC_AFRICA

South Africa R1,5 Trillion Gambling Crisis

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA 

South Africa R1,5 Trillion Gambling Crisis 

RISE Mzansi, in its continued campaign to raise a loud alarm about the R1,5-trillion gambling crisis, has sponsored a matter for discussion during a National Assembly Mini-Plenary debate at 10:00 on Friday, 31 October 2025.

This is a significant point in our work to arrest this social and public health crisis. The debate will allow all political parties represented in the National Assembly to state where the stand on this crisis, which is destroying lives and livelihoods.

The recent annual report of the National Gambling Board raises the alarm, stating that gambling operators have increased their gross gambling revenue from R59-billion in 2023/4 to R75-billion in 2024/25, an annual growth of 26%. Moreover, South Africans spent R1,5-trillion during the 2024/25 financial year on gambling activities, this is an increase from the R1,1-trillion wasted in the previous financial year.

RISE Mzansi will also use the debate to make an announcement about our ongoing efforts to agitate for wide-ranging reforms.

MAKEKASIGREAT©®™ @KASIBC_AFRICA

NPOs DEADLINE FOR 2026/27 FUNDING APPLICATIONS

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA 

NPOs DEADLINE FOR 2026/27 FUNDING APPLICATIONS 

The Gauteng Department of Social Development is reminding all Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) that the closing date for the submission of funding applications for the 2026/27 financial year is Thursday, 30 October 2025. 

This serves as a final reminder following the extension of the original deadline, which was initially set for 15 October 2025 and later extended by Gauteng MEC for Social Development Faith Mazibuko, to afford NPOs additional time to finalise their submissions. MEC Mazibuko has urged all organisations that have not yet applied to make use of the remaining days to submit their applications to avoid disqualification. “We extended the application period to 30 October to give all NPOs a fair chance to complete their submissions. 

This is the final opportunity, and we urge organisations to respect the deadline. Late applications will unfortunately not be considered,” said MEC Mazibuko. “The Department values the critical role that NPOs play in delivering social services to the people of Gauteng. By working together, we can ensure that services reach those most in need across our province,” she added. 

The Department continues to encourage NPOs to submit applications through the approved channels, including the dedicated email address: 

NPOApplications.Socdev@gauteng.gov.za 

All applications must be accompanied by the required supporting documentation as outlined in the 2026/27 Call for Proposals. 

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R20 Million worth of Cocaine seized on a plot in Midrand, Gauteng

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA

R20 Million worth of Cocaine seized on a plot in Midrand, Gauteng

MIDRAND - A crime intelligence driven operation resulted in the discovery of R20 million worth of cocaine at a small holding in Midrand, Gauteng.

On Tuesday evening, 28 October 2025, a multidisciplinary team led by Crime Intelligence Head Office inclusive of Gauteng Organised crime unit, SAPS JHB K9 and members of the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) were following up on information of drugs that were being stored at a plot in Blue Hills, Midrand. According to further investigation, the drugs were brought into South Africa from a neighbouring country and were destined for Cape Town, Western Cape.

The cocaine was found hidden in a storage room on the identified plot.

A 56-year-old man who is believed to be the owner of the plot has been arrested and the cocaine weighing about 80kg has been seized.

The suspect is expected to appear before the Midrand Magistrate’s Court later on this week, on a possible charge of possession of drugs as well as dealing in drugs.

 MAKEKASIGREAT©®™ @KASIBC_AFRICA

KZN Transport SCOPA hearing reveals serious, ongoing failures

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA

KZN Transport SCOPA hearing reveals serious, ongoing failures

The DA is deeply concerned by the findings presented in the Auditor-General’s (AG) report and by responses received by SCOPA during its KZN’s Department of Transport (DoT) hearing held earlier today.

While the DoT received an unqualified audit opinion on its financial statements, SCOPA engagement has revealed serious and persistent failures in performance, compliance, and governance. 

This includes qualified findings on key service delivery programmes - namely, Transport Infrastructure and Transport Operations- where only 50% and 57% of targets were achieved respectively, despite full budget expenditure.

This is a clear indication of poor planning, weak project management, and a lack of accountability amongst errant officials.

The report also highlights repeat non-compliance with legislation, including R1.3billion in irregular expenditure and R4.2million in fruitless and wasteful expenditure of R4.2 million. In this regard, SCOPA requested consequence management reports from the DoT, however these were not forthcoming. Reports from the Provincial Audit Risk Committee and Treasury further reflect that 99.57% of irregular expenditure remains unresolved.

The DA is committed to ensuring that the culture of impunity within government comes to an end. Officials responsible for mismanagement must face disciplinary action and irregular contracts must be terminated.

Infrastructure projects such as the Klein Boesman River Bridge and road P242 rehabilitation represent systemic failures such as delays, poor workmanship and excessive professional fees. This while communities continue to suffer from unsafe and incomplete infrastructure.

The DA is also concerned by the DoT’s inability to pay service providers within 30 days, with 18% of payments overdue, and growing contingent liabilities now exceeding R9.5billion. 

These financial pressures threaten future service delivery and undermine the sustainability of small businesses reliant on government contracts.

During the hearing, SCOPA was assured by Transport MEC, Siboniso Duma and senior departmental leadership that the AG’s recommendations would be urgently implemented and that critical vacancies, including a Supply Chain Manager (SCM) Director, would be filled. It is also critical that a functional Project Management Office is established without delay.

The people of our province people deserve a transport department that delivers safe, reliable infrastructure and operates with integrity. As a responsible member of the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), the DA will continue to hold KZN’s executive accountable and push for clean governance and efficient service delivery.

MAKEKASIGREAT©®™ @KASIBC_AFRICA

MEC acts Unlawfully: forces hard-pressed parents to fork out more on School Fees

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA 

MEC acts Unlawfully: forces hard-pressed parents to fork out more on School Fees

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), under MEC Matome Chiloane, has acted unlawfully by announcing drastic funding reductions for Quintile 5 schools (the least impoverished and fee-paying schools) for the 2026 academic year after the legislated deadline had passed. 

This late communication has caused uncertainty and financial pressure for parents, who now face the possibility of hiked fees ensuing from belatedly announced funding reductions. The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng slams this action and is considering legal action against the department to force the reversal of this decision.

The GDE’s decision to introduce the reduction after the legislated deadline of 30 September 2025 is not only invalid but also reckless and likely to harm thousands of learners in Gauteng. Accordingly, this decision must be reversed to provide schools with more time to adapt to the reduced funding.

For several years, the GDE has topped up funding for Quintile 5 schools so that they receive the same funding per learner as Quintile 4 schools. Although this was discretionary, it created an expectation that this would continue. Therefore, the decision to belatedly inform schools between 07 and 10 October of the substantial funding cuts is deeply concerning. This has affected School Governing Bodies (SGBs), who had already prepared their budgets based on the previous subsidy levels. 

The drastic reduction from R879 to R301 per learner places schools in a serious financial predicament and will almost certainly lead to significant increases in school fees.

The decision by MEC Chiloane to cut funding for Quintile 5 schools is both unlawful and unacceptable. This action must be subjected to judicial review to ensure that MEC Chiloane is held accountable and that the rights of learners in these schools are fully protected. 

Unfortunately, this behaviour reflects a broader pattern under Premier Panyaza Lesufi's leadership, where MECs act without regard for the consequences, assured that they will not be held responsible.

The DA stands in solidarity with the parents of our learners whose rights to critical information have been violated. We will submit written questions to ascertain what prompted the funding reduction, why the deadline for announcing the reduction was missed, how many schools are affected and if there are any schools that will continue with topped-up funding.

A DA-led government would ensure that all funding decisions are communicated promptly and in full consultation with schools, particularly where budgetary constraints necessitate adjustments. 

This would enhance transparency and accountability within the education system, protect learners and parents from undue financial pressure.

MAKEKASIGREAT©®™ @KASIBC_AFRICA

PARLIAMENT’S ENDORSEMENT OF COMPROMISED IEC CANDIDATES

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA 

PARLIAMENT’S ENDORSEMENT OF COMPROMISED IEC CANDIDATES 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) notes with deep concern the decision by Parliament to adopt the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs’ report on the filling of vacancies in the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). This decision, driven by the ANC and its GNU partners, the DA and the IFP, disregards the findings and recommendations of the panel chaired by Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, which raised serious concerns about the competence, temperament, and suitability of Mr. Mosotho Moepya and Judge Pillay to serve in the IEC. 

Despite the Chief Justice’s report identifying serious shortcomings in these candidates, Parliament has chosen to endorse them. This demonstrates the true agenda of the Government of National Unity, to capture and control the IEC as part of a broader plan to manipulate the outcome of the 2026 national elections. The panel chaired by the Chief Justice raised specific concerns about Mr. Moepya, stating that he appeared defensive, unwilling to acknowledge weaknesses within the IEC, and dismissive of suggestions to improve the Commission’s systems. 

The panel further observed that he lacked the necessary soft skills of empathy and sensitivity required of a leader, and that he failed to present any credible ideas on how to address institutional weaknesses, including the growing voter apathy in the country. On Judge Pillay, the panel found her to be defensive and reluctant to acknowledge the challenges the IEC faced during her tenure, and further expressed dissatisfaction with her views on diversity and voter participation. 

The EFF is deeply disturbed that, despite these findings, the ANC and its GNU partners chose to appoint individuals the Chief Justice’s panel did not consider the most suitable. They ignored highly competent and recommended candidates such as Mr. Abrahams, opting instead for individuals whose performance and leadership have already raised questions about the IEC’s ability to conduct free and fair elections. 

The EFF has never contested the outcome of any election, but we have consistently raised legitimate concerns about the IEC’s glaring operational failures. These include dysfunctional voter management devices, the Commission’s inability to register more voters, and persistent discrepancies in the capturing of results, where votes are often swapped to the benefit of the ANC and the DA. Our own post-election audits have revealed numerous cases of EFF votes being wrongly captured by the IEC across the country, while the ANC and DA were allocated more votes than they received. When we raise these discrepancies, the IEC responds with arrogance and dismissal. If these issues are not addressed, they have the potential to plunge the country into post-election instability and permanently damage our democracy. 

We have never remained silent when the ANC deployed questionable individuals to lead the IEC, from Mashinini, Tlakula, and Janet Love, to now Mr. Moepya and Judge Pillay. This pattern of deployment is part of a deliberate strategy by the ruling elite to weaken the independence of the IEC and manipulate electoral outcomes. Parliament’s decision to overlook the Chief Justice’s report confirms that the GNU’s so-called unity is not about protecting democracy, but about preserving political power through the capture of independent institutions. It is a unity in corruption and control, not in principle or integrity. 

The National Assembly has once again second guessed the outcomes of statutory bodies as it did with the Public Protector Report on Nkandla, and most recently, with the Independent Panel led by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo and its recommendations regarding the Phala Phala matter.   

It is a cause for concern that the National Assembly is relapsing to its infamous constitutional delinquency which characterised the Fifth Administration, and utilising majoritarianism to undermine the integrity of institutions of democracy. The EFF will consider any recourse available to reverse this irrational majoritarian resolution of the National Assembly which threatens our electoral system. 

The EFF rejects the adoption of this report and the appointment of compromised individuals to the IEC. We call upon all South Africans to remain vigilant against the systematic capture of democratic institutions by the ANC and its GNU partners. 

We will continue to defend the independence of the IEC and fight for free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the true will of the people. 

MAKEKASIGREAT©®™ @KASIBC_AFRICA