Constitutional Court judge questions parliament's handling of NHI public participation process
via The Citizen3 min read
Parliament is defending its National Health Insurance NHI legislative process after a Constitutional Court ConCourt judge raised concerns about the public participation phase appearing rushed. The ConCourt heard arguments on Wednesday, 6 May 2026, from parliament and the Western Cape government regarding the constitutionality and validity of the NHI Act. Western Cape Premier Alan Winde initiated the application, contending that parliament, specifically the National Council of Provinces NCOP, failed to adequately consider the views of Western Cape residents during deliberations on the NHI Bill. The province argued that the NCOP鈥檚 Select Committee on Health and Social Services established an "unreasonable and inflexible" timetable, limiting public submissions in November 2023, and rejected their request for an extension. During proceedings, a ConCourt judge directly asked parliament鈥檚 legal representative, Advocate Ngwako Hamilton Maenetje, why the NCOP process seemed "rather rushed." Maenetje responded that assessing a "rush" requires examining the timetable's consequences, such as whether the public was prejudiced, rather than the schedule alone, and maintained that such consequences were not evident. He also addressed concerns about Gauteng鈥檚 public participation report, stating that the Gauteng government did not produce a report, rather than being hindered by time constraints. The NHI legislation was first tabled in 2019, passed by the National Assembly in June 2023, appro
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Some members of the Democratic Alliance DA are reportedly upset about the decision to remove former DA leader John Steenhuisen from his position as agriculture minister. The discontent stems from an alleged agreement between current DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis and Steenhuisen, where Steenhuisen would retain his ministerial role if he did not seek another term as party leader. Hill-Lewis has since written to President Cyril Ramaphosa, proposing Steenhuisen's replacement by Willie Aucamp as agriculture minister, with Steenhuisen moving to deputy minister of trade, industry and competition. Ramaphosa has not yet confirmed these changes. Some DA members claim they were not consulted on the reshuffle, with one source suggesting that Hill-Lewis's decision has exposed party divisions and that Steenhuisen feels "betrayed." Political analyst Prof Theo Neethling indicated that the move might be "pure DA damage control" due to Steenhuisen's handling of the foot-and-mouth disease crisis, which alienated many farmers. Hill-Lewis, however, stated his decision was made in the best interests of the DA and the government of national unity, prioritizing public and voter loyalty.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of party leader Jacob Zuma, stated she does not hold her father responsible for her expulsion from the MK party, instead blaming individuals surrounding the party's leadership. She made these comments at a media briefing on Sunday, following her and former national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela's expulsion from the party on Thursday. Zuma-Sambudla indicated she has not yet discussed the expulsion with her father but plans to do so next week. The party cited a series of actions, public statements, and activities by Zuma-Sambudla and Ndhlela as reasons for their removal. Zuma-Sambudla was accused of undermining party unity and promoting factional narratives, while Ndhlela was accused of unauthorized media briefings and misrepresenting party positions. Ndhlela claims that both his and Zuma's roles in the MK party were undermined and that he and Zuma-Sambudla will challenge their expulsions in the high court, asserting that no disciplinary hearing was held before their removal.
A Limpopo councillor, Netshivhumbe Gumani, 44, was arrested for allegedly attempting to bribe a Special Investigating Unit SIU investigator with R70,000 to disregard evidence in a corruption probe. The investigation concerns allegations of maladministration and corruption related to two tenders by the Mahikeng Local Municipality. Gumani reportedly approached three SIU investigators, offering R10,000 in cash as part of the bribe during a meeting in Mahikeng. The SIU, in collaboration with the South African Police Service and the Hawks, conducted an entrapment operation leading to Gumani's arrest. He faces corruption charges and appeared in the Molopo Magistrates' Court, with his case postponed to June 29, 2026, for a bail application. The SIU stated that its investigators maintain high integrity and that attempts to corrupt them will be met with legal action.