PRETORIA – The Mayor of Tshwane, Solly Msimanga, has continued his impressive Magufuli-esque cost-cutting campaign… announcing today that he has put an immediate stop to all purchases or leasing of luxury cars for politicians and senior officials. Msimanga says: “A Hundai i20 or Toyota Corolla can do the same job for a politican as an […]

South African President Jacob Zuma is facing calls from ANC supporters to step down, following his party’s worst election results since the end of Apartheid in 1994. In this Reuters video, reporter Ivor Bennett says although there is still a lot of support for Zuma in the country, the voices of dissent are growing. Protesters – […]

JOHANNESBURG – Supporters of the #OccupyLuthuliHouse protest, which was to go ahead this morning albeit scaled down, have been urged to stay away as fears mounted this morning that it could lead to bloodshed like Marikana. According to witnesses, the entire precinct of the ANC headquarters, Luthuli House, was on virtual lockdown Monday morning with a huge police presence […]

From slavery to colonialism and school rules: a history of myths about black hair… “Your hair feels like pubic hair.” That was one of the first insults that someone hurled at my hair. She was a junior at my school. She would touch my hair and repeat this sentence to all present. I had to […]

When an elite crime-fighting unit investigates a member of Cabinet, what does the rule of law require? In South Africa the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) have been circling finance minister Pravin Gordhan. Two main narratives are emerging to explain the ongoing saga. The first is that the minister may have committed some […]

PRETORIA – In a move that echoes that of Tanzania’s cost-cutting President Magufuli, the new Mayor of Tshwane, Solly Msimanga, has today announced two immediate measures to cut costs for the new administration. In a statement released Wednesday by the Democratic Alliance (DA), it said the Mayor has put a stop to all inaugural parties, and catered […]

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s Treasury and state-owned Eskom clashed on Monday over a probe into coal contracts between the power utility and a company linked to the wealthy Gupta family that is accused of holding undue political sway over President Jacob Zuma. The row further scarred relations in a government rocked by a police […]

JOHANNESBURG – In what is becoming a conversation through the media, the Gupta Family has responded to statements made on Sunday by Democratic Alliance (DA) Shadow Minister, David Maynier… warning that this media narrative being metered out by Maynier “without any basis of wrong-doing” could put others off investing in South Africa. Following the Gupta Family […]

South African opposition parties, the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), have both welcomed the news that the Gupta family will exit their shareholding in all their businesses in SA by the end of 2016. The EFF said it welcomed the news “with caution”, whilst the DA said the family’s claim that […]

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan could be charged with graft as soon as this week, the City Press newspaper reported on Sunday, citing senior sources in the police, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the tax service.   The AFP news agency quoted an NPA spokesperson as saying “there is no […]

JOHANNESBURG – The Guptas – who are believed to have a close relationship with President Jacob Zuma – have announced their intention to sell shareholding in all South African businesses by the end of 2016. Following their earlier statement today about newspaper reports of alleged comments made by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, accusing the Gupta […]

JOHANNESBURG – In response to an article in News24 yesterday – headlined “Guptas are attacking me, Gordhan tells Treasury staff” – the Gupta Family has issued a statement expressing “deep disappointment”; and claiming they firmly believe in the rule of law and are happy to answer to any and all allegations made against them. The News24 article claimed that […]

JOHANNESBURG – Businessman and former trade unionist Sipho Pityana has been praised for his no holds barred speech at the funeral of former Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile yesterday… hailed by some South Africans as the first to “have the backbone” to say what is on the minds of many ANC members. Pityana delivered a bold and brutal indictment on the […]

If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s John Steenhuisen of the Democratic Alliance (DA) taking on the ANC for their poor election results. Watch Video: DA John Steenhuisen Grills ANC on Election Results In typical Steenhuisen fashion he throws out insults wrapped in metaphors – accusing the ANC Chief Whip of having “more spin than on an […]

South Africa’s rand recovered some losses and bonds bounced off two-month lows after Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan refused to present himself to police over a probe into an alleged ‘spy’ unit at the country’s tax service. David Pollard reports in the video below. South Africa’s had its crises, but this is still massive headline news. […]

PRETORIA – The Rand has reportedly stabilised in the last couple of hours following South African President Jacob Zuma’s announcement that he has “full support and confidence” in Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan. The Treasury confirmed earlier this week that specialist police unit, the Hawks, had summoned Gordhan to “present himself” on Thursday. Gordhan responded yesterday, saying the […]

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recommended on Wednesday that the world body appoint an eminent person to review any new information uncovered about a 1961 plane crash that killed then U.N. chief Dag Hammarskjold. Hammarskjold – a Swede elected as the world body’s second chief in 1953 – was killed along […]

Opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), has reacted to news that the Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, has been requested to report to the Hawks at 10h00 on Thursday 25 August 2016… calling it a “major escalation in the ‘SARS Wars’.” David Maynier, Shadow Minister of Finance, said the fact that Gordhan has reportedly been requested […]

The Rand has fallen to its lowest against the dollar since 3 August, after reports surfaced in the Daily Maverick that South Africa’s Finance Minister – Pravin Gordhan – has been summoned by the Hawks to “present” himself on Thursday… which could signal Gordhan’s dismissal from office. With the elite police division circling the Treasury Chief, the Rand […]

JOHANNESBURG – The Democratic Alliance’s Herman Mashaba has been elected as the new Executive Mayor of Joburg, replacing the ANC’s Parks Tau. On Twitter, DA supporters were already rejoicing before the official announcement, and even Wikipedia confidently updated their entry for the businessman before it was announced: Earlier today the DA’s Vasco da Gama was elected as Speaker (unleashing […]

JOHANNESBURG – A female councillor for the ANC has sadly passed away during the Joburg Council meeting today. The inaugural meeting – in which the Speaker, Mayor and Chief Whip are being elected – was adjourned when the councillor fell ill and collapsed, apparently battling to breath. She was led out of the chambers by medics shortly […]

JOHANNESBURG – Democratic Alliance (DA) Councillor Vasco Da Gama has been elected as Speaker of the Johannesburg Council… and it’s – predictably – launched a wave of tweets: …and cue the sailing and sailor puns. And go!!! #VascoDaGama #JoburgCouncil — Michael 🍏 (@TheMikeAppel) August 22, 2016 Jesus is back and he didn't come back alone. #VascoDaGama https://t.co/xyFiM3LIar […]

JOHANNESBURG – The Joburg Council was forced to adjourn after a scuffle broke out between party agents over the secret ballot and voting process. The IEC has however said it’s satisfied with the process and counting, and has called for proceedings to continue. The scuffle had broken out between the EFF Deputy President and an unknown Councillor. Both had […]

The Democratic Alliance has condemned “the cold-blooded assassination” of its councillor, Johannes Baaitjies, on Wednesday night.  In a statement on the DA website, it said “Baaitjies was found lying on his face on the main road between Danielskuil and Postmasburg [Wednesday] night. He was shot twice in the head and once in the upper body, and dragged […]

PRETORIA – Newly elected Tshwane mayor, the DA’s Solly Msimanga, declared that today “corruption, cronyism, nepotism and patronage comes to an end” in the capital. He said there will be no more “blue lights” and that Tshwane is to be a city for all the people and not just a small-connected group. Msimanga was sworn in […]