ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has accused former president and MK party leader Jacob Zuma of irresponsibly supporting the March and March movement, inciting violence with the slogan 'Mabahambe,' and fostering hostility against other Africans. Mbalula made these statements at Luthuli House in Johannesburg during a post-national working committee media briefing. While Zuma has not personally endorsed the march against foreign nationals, the MK party stated it would participate in the protest against undocumented migrants. Mbalula claims Zuma's actions are for political reasons to gain votes and that the current situation is not primarily about immigration. He referenced the July 2021 unrest, which resulted in over 350 deaths and an estimated R50 billion economic cost, triggered by Zuma's arrest. The MK party, however, has denounced attempts to link Zuma to the 2021 unrest and the planned 30 June march, calling such claims baseless political propaganda. MK party national spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu stated that Zuma has consistently called for peace and lawful political activism, and any links to unrest lack credible evidence. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia warned that law enforcement would address any threats to safety and security on 30 June, with potential assistance from the South African National Defence Force if needed.
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Johannesburg's M2 highway faces a potential collapse, confirmed by authorities including the Joburg Road Agency JRA and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources DMPR. The threat stems from illegal mining activities, specifically the excavation of sand containing gold from bridge support structures. The JRA has identified extensive infrastructure defects beneath sections of the M1 and M2 motorways, including embankment erosion, collapsed paving, damaged bridge abutments, deep cavities, and sinkholes linked to illegal tunneling. These issues are exacerbated by the use of tailings waste as building material during the apartheid-era construction of the bridges, as noted by mining expert David van Wyk. He also highlighted the long-term environmental and geological concerns posed by abandoned mines south of the M2, where acidic water accumulation is eroding the dolomitic substructure, potentially leading to seismic activity and sinkholes. The JRA is collaborating with the Joburg Metro Police Department to monitor hotspots and remove illegal structures. Short-term interventions include extensive stormwater maintenance and the use of alternative materials to stabilize embankments. For a long-term solution, the JRA has appointed a consultant to investigate and design permanent repair solutions for affected abutments and parapet walls, incorporating environmental and heritage studies, hazardous materials cleaning, and enhanced security measures post-construction. These issues
Deputy President Paul Mashatile reaffirmed South Africa's strategic partnership with China during a high-level visit to Beijing and Shenzhen. The visit aimed to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, and healthcare transformation, focusing on digital innovation, skills development, and long-term industrial collaboration. Mashatile emphasized South Africa's commitment to strengthening trade, investment, industrial cooperation, and people-to-people relations, noting China as South Africa's largest trading partner and a key source of investment and technology. Pretoria seeks long-term partnerships for industrialization, technology transfer, localization, skills development, and sustainable job creation. Healthcare is a central focus, with opportunities for collaboration in smart hospitals, digital healthcare, telemedicine, advanced medical equipment, healthcare information systems, workforce training, medical technology localization, research, and AI in healthcare. South Africa aims to leverage its position as a gateway to Africa, utilizing the African Continental Free Trade Area for regional expansion and growth. The government is committed to supporting investors through policy certainty and strategic partnerships.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured the National Council of Provinces NCOP that measures are in place to prevent violence and maintain peace on June 30, a date set by 27 civil organizations for undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa. Ramaphosa stated that the government is strengthening border infrastructure, deploying technology, and closing legal gaps related to immigration. He emphasized that every person within South Africa's borders must be there lawfully and that the state alone is responsible for enforcing these laws. The president outlined a four-part migration plan, which includes a crackdown on immigration violations, increased inspections of employers' premises, and the recruitment of 10,000 inspectors. Additionally, the plan involves strengthening border security by redeveloping six busiest ports of entry and relocating refugee reception centers to border posts. The third part focuses on combating corruption and deploying technology, such as an intelligence population register with biometric data and extending the electronic travel authorization system. The fourth part aims to close legal gaps through a revised white paper on citizenship, immigration, and refugee protection. Ramaphosa also confirmed that 10,000 labor inspectors are being employed in phases due to budgetary constraints. He called on leaders to promote peace and warned that security forces are ready to address any attempts to destabilize the country, ensuring that June 30 remains a n