Johannesburg defends R10 billion Samwu wage deal amid financial constraints
via The Citizen3 min read
Johannesburg city officials have defended their R10 billion wage agreement with the South African Municipal Workers Union Samwu despite facing significant financial challenges. Mayor Dada Morero and senior management appeared before the Standing Committee on Public Accounts to address findings by the Auditor-General of South Africa AG. Group CFO Tebogo Moraka explained that the city's creditor balance was approximately R7.5 billion at the end of May, with priority given to creditors of entities like City Power, Johannesburg Water, Pikitup, and Johannesburg Roads Agency. Moraka noted that prioritizing these entities, which are already in deficit, strains the city's finances, requiring selective payments based on monthly revenue. To improve revenue collection, a "revenue war room" has been formed, involving the CFO, city manager Floyd Brink, the COO, and managing directors of various entities. The city has also implemented measures to reduce financial waste, including weekly procurement and expenditure tracking. City manager Floyd Brink reported that Johannesburg still has R13.2 billion in unresolved unauthorized, irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure, although R45.1 billion of such expenditure has been addressed in the last five financial years. Mbulelo Ruda, Johannesburg's group head of legals and contracts, stated that the Samwu deal, mandated by a CCMA ruling, aims for "justice redressed and institutional stability." He emphasized that the agreement's founding prin
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Build One South Africa BOSA has terminated the membership of founding member Ayanda Allie, who served as the party's representative in the Gauteng legislature. The decision followed an internal disciplinary process, though BOSA did not disclose the reasons. BOSA board chairperson Stevens Mokgalapa stated that Allie was offered an opportunity to appeal but declined, making the board's decision final. Political analysts have weighed in on the implications for BOSA and its leader, Mmusi Maimane. Theo Neethling suggested that Maimane's political career highlights the difference between personal popularity and building a sustainable political organization, noting that BOSA's performance in the 2024 elections was disappointing. Neethling added that BOSA operates in a crowded opposition landscape, lacks a clearly differentiated political identity, and remains heavily reliant on Maimane's personal appeal. Andre Duvenhage, another political analyst, believes Maimane's prospects were stronger when he was with the DA, describing him now as a "lonely voice." Meanwhile, ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba confirmed meeting with Allie two weeks prior and indicated he would not refuse her if she wished to join his party.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has successfully obtained an interim interdict to pause parliamentary impeachment proceedings related to the Phala Phala scandal. The Western Cape High Court in Cape Town delivered its ruling on Friday, 24 July 2026. Ramaphosa sought to prevent the impeachment inquiry from starting until his separate review challenge against the Section 89 independent panel’s report is finalized. The president is seeking to overturn the panel’s findings, which concluded he has questions to answer regarding the theft of approximately $580,000 from his Phala Phala game farm in February 2020. His legal team argued that without the interdict, the impeachment committee could begin its work before a ruling on the panel's findings, causing "irrefutable harm." While one judgment initially found Ramaphosa failed to establish a case, the second and third judgments granted an interim interdict for a limited duration. As a result, National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and the chairperson of the impeachment committee have been instructed to halt proceedings pending the outcome of the review challenge. The issue of legal costs was deferred. Ramaphosa welcomed the outcome, reaffirming his respect for judicial independence. This legal battle follows a Constitutional Court ruling in May that found Parliament acted unlawfully in blocking impeachment proceedings against Ramaphosa in December 2022, compelling the National Assembly to establish a formal impeachment committee. Ramaphosa’
EFF leader Julius Malema stated that the ANC-led government has failed young South Africans, leading to high youth unemployment and difficult living conditions. Speaking at the Onkgopotse Tiro Memorial Lecture at the University of Limpopo, Malema highlighted that young people witness opportunities going to those with political connections and tenders awarded to the connected, while their own businesses struggle and billions disappear through corruption. He noted that many young people stop applying for jobs due to constant rejection and lose faith in their qualifications. Malema described these challenges as a political crisis, leading to alienation from society, withdrawal from politics, and increased rates of drug use, alcohol abuse, crime, and depression among the youth. He urged young people to be courageous and actively fight against systemic injustice and oppression, drawing lessons from historical movements like 1976 and Fees Must Fall. Malema encouraged youth to attend the EFF's 13th anniversary celebrations and register to vote in upcoming local government elections, asserting that the EFF represents their struggles.