There is no longer a crystal-clear difference between the current state of our democracy and the telltale signs of a mafia state. That, in its essence, is the nexus insight from Jacques Pauw’s new book, The President’s Keepers, which is why the responses from various parts of the ANC-led government and state are as hysterical..
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The mafia state is in full swing
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How you will pay for Zuma’s free education plan
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The government is considering drastic budget cuts to fund free higher education, including cutting social grants, freezing the roll-out of RDP houses and increasing taxes. With the country facing an unpre-cedented R50.8‑billion revenue hole, a treasury document has been put before President Jacob Zuma by the presidential fiscal committee, outlining possible areas where budgets could..
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Saudi tensions could increase SA fuel prices
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The recent political upheaval in Saudi Arabia will lead to South African motorists paying an additional 70 to 80 cents more for fuel in December. And there could be a further increase of about 60 cents in January if current tensions persists, says Econometrix chief economist Azar Jammine. Oil, which has traded at about $50..
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The State Security Agency makes second attempt to gag Jacques Pauw’s book
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The State Security Agency has sent yet another cease and desist letter to get The Presidents Keepers withdrawn from bookshelves, but this time the letter was sent to its title editor Russel Martin. Authur and veteran journalist Jacques Pauw announced during the official launch of his book that the SSA’s cease and desist letter gave..
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Treasury letter – Sassa should not have disqualified Post Office
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A letter by National Treasury to acting South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) CEO Pearl Bhengu says the agency should not have disqualified the South African Post Office (SAPO) from three possible services in the social grants scheme. Treasury was given a week last Wednesday to review all the deal points of the then-collapsing deal..
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Sassa and Sapo agreement date pushed back yet again
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The striking of the elusive deal between the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) and the South African Post Office (Sapo) has been pushed back yet again. MP’s at a joint meeting in Parliament on Tuesday heard that an offer to the Post Office to build an integrated IT payment system for a new “hybrid”..
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Ronnie Kasrils asked Mbeki to stand for a third term to stop Zuma
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Former intelligence minister Ronnie Kasrils says he asked former president Thabo Mbeki to contest for the role of ANC president in the lead up to the party’s Polokwane conference in an attempt to stop President Jacob Zuma from taking over the position. He made the comments last night at metalworkers’ union Numsa’s Vincent Mabuyakhulu conference..
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Mixed reaction to Cyril Ramaphosa’s ‘slate’ especially with Naledi Pandor as VP
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Deputy President, and one of the frontrunners for ANC leader, Cyril Ramaphosa will have a tough time convincing some of his supporters to throw their weight behind his preferred deputy ahead of the party’s December elective conference. The surprise announcement that he wants current ANC National Executive Committee member Naledi Pandor to be his deputy..
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State capture fiasco shows why collaboration is key to tackling global crime networks
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Lord Peter Hain tabled a series of allegations in the UK’s House of Lords relating to the possible role of British banks in alleged money laundering and illicit financial transactions centred around President Jacob Zuma and the Gupta family. The Conversation Africa’s Charles Leonard asked him to explain why he took the step. Hain, who..
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Ramaphosa takes an early lead as ANC branches cast their vote
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Of the 1 138 ANC branches (out of a total of about 3 800 branches in good standing) that had held their branch general meetings (BGMs) by Thursday, 768 nominated Cyril Ramaphosa as ANC president Jacob Zuma’s successor and 360 nominated Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. All other presidential hopefuls — Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, ANC treasurer general Zweli..
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Road to December conference: Pandor announced as Ramaphosa’s running mate
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ANC Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed Naledi Pandor, the minister of science and technology, would be running as his deputy president candidate in the leadership campaign for the party’s elective conference to be held in Johannesburg this December. Ramaphosa was speaking at a rally at the Tafelkopp Stadium outside Groblersdal in Limpopo when he urged..
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Steve Biko’s letter and the sale of SA’s heritage to the highest bidder
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On 28 October, one of Europe’s leading autograph and manuscript auction houses will be selling a piece of South African heritage that should be in South Africa’s governmental archives. A handwritten letter by Black Consciousness Movement founder Steve Biko on 29 October 1973 is listed in UK auction house International Autograph Auctions’ (IAA) catalogue. The..
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Gigaba’s first test: Can he ace the mid-term budget?
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Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba is in an unenviable position. In his maiden budget – today’s medium-term budget policy statement – he must confront, among other things, low economic growth, a tax revenue hole big enough to fly a plane through and the budgetary consequences of struggling state-owned enterprises. These issues are some of the chief..
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Ramaphosa leads Gauteng nominations in the presidential race
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ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa is leading the Gauteng presidential race following this weekend’s round of nominations by branches in the province. But, it’s early days, insiders say. According to them, nominations are yet to meet the halfway mark, which will give a more clear indication of Ramaphosa’s performance in the race. Outcomes of branch..
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SA Human rights lawyers arrested in Tanzania for ‘promoting homosexuality’
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The arrest in Tanzania last week of 13 people accused of the “promotion of homosexuality” has been called “a terrible human rights violation”. Two of those arrested are from South Africa and include well-known human rights lawyer, Sibongile Ndashe, executive director of the Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa (Isla). The arrests took place in..
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