President Ramaphosa to present Presidency Budget amid impeachment tensions
via The Citizen1 min read
President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to address the National Assembly on Tuesday to deliver the 2026/2027 Presidency Budget Vote. This budget aims to drive economic growth, address poverty, and strengthen South Africa's governance under the Government of National Unity. Ramaphosa returns to Parliament amidst political tensions and a pending Section 89 impeachment inquiry. The Presidency stated that the Budget Vote includes allocations for key sub-departments such as the State Security Agency, the Government Communication and Information System, and Statistics South Africa. Priorities for this year's Budget Vote include an intelligence-led approach to dismantle criminal networks, coordinating government communication, and modernizing national statistics to combat misinformation and support evidence-based decision-making. Following the address, a debate among Members of Parliament will take place, to which Ramaphosa will reply on Wednesday. The Presidency emphasized that the Budget Vote tabling serves as a mechanism for parliamentary checks and balances and public accountability regarding the allocation of public funds. During his State of the Nation address in February, Ramaphosa highlighted the focus for 2026 on intensifying the fight against organized crime and criminal syndicates using technology, intelligence, and integrated law enforcement. Opposition parties urged Ramaphosa to ensure his commitments are fulfilled, especially concerning the country's digital divide. Ram
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South Africa's Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture has thanked the United States Embassy in South Africa for expediting travel documents for the Bafana Bafana team. All players secured their US visas and departed for the 2026 Fifa World Cup training base in Pachuca, Mexico, on Monday, a day later than initially scheduled. The delay was due to an administrative lapse that left several players without the required paperwork. Minister McKenzie stated that the fault was entirely on the South African side, rejecting criticism directed at the US Consulate. The Iranian Embassy in South Africa commented on the situation, claiming the US failed to issue visas, a claim rejected by the US Embassy in South Africa. The South African Football Association Safa apologized for the unexpected travel delays and thanked the Department of International Relations and Cooperation Dirco and the US Consulate in Johannesburg for their assistance. Much of the blame for the delays was directed at Bafana team manager Vincent Tseka. President Cyril Ramaphosa called on South Africans to unite behind the national football team as it prepares to face Mexico in the Fifa World Cup opener on June 11, 2026. The 2026 Fifa World Cup will be hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Must ReadSouth Africa's first Conference of the Left, held in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, has adopted a socialist stance, advocating for nationalization, land expropriation without compensation, and a review of the constitution. The gathering, which included 13 organizations such as the South African Communist Party SACP, Azapo, the EFF, the uMkhonto weSizwe party, trade unions, and civil society groups, resolved that the economy's commanding heights should be controlled by the working class. Delegates demanded the nationalization of the Reserve Bank and a reorientation of monetary policy to prioritize employment and industrialization. They also called for a comprehensive review of the 1996 constitution to address unfinished democratic and socialist objectives, including land, property relations, public ownership, social rights, and the state's role in the economy. Land reform was emphasized as central to the struggle, with delegates insisting on restitution and redistribution for dignity, equality, and democratic access. The conference endorsed expropriation without compensation and security of tenure. The conference, held without the ANC, which boycotted the event despite an invitation, signaled the left's intention to take the strategic initiative, with the SACP leading. Delegates declared that working-class power must lead the struggle for popular power in South Africa. The conference also resolved that the left should be broad enough to unite all who stand with the working class, inclu
A 13-year-old child died and over 200 shacks were destroyed in two separate fires at the Plastic View informal settlement in Pretoria East in less than a week. On May 24, approximately 150 shacks were razed, followed by another fire on Thursday that destroyed about 100 shacks. City of Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson and deputy chief Nana Radebe-Kgiba stated that preliminary information suggests the Thursday night fire may have originated from a leaking gas cylinder in a shack where the deceased child was found. The child's parents and a younger sibling sustained burn injuries and were transported to a medical facility. Disaster Risk Management is assessing the situation to assist displaced families. City of Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya noted ongoing plans to relocate South African citizens from Plastic View, but the presence of foreign nationals has complicated these efforts. The settlement has experienced multiple fires over the years, including one in May 2023 that left 250 people homeless.
The Democratic Alliance in Tshwane has stated it will oppose any attempts to reverse disciplinary actions related to misconduct, violence, and criminality. This comes after the city's mayoral committee announced its intention to rehire 43 former employees who were dismissed during a violent, unprotected strike in 2023. DA Tshwane mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink highlighted the significant damage caused by the illegal strike and emphasized that the DA-led government at the time took a firm stance against such actions. Brink confirmed that the DA has formally warned the city manager that legal action will be considered if reports of unlawful reinstatements prove true and proceed. Conversely, ANC regional secretary George Matjila has welcomed the decision to reinstate the 43 workers.