South African government faces pressure to halt coal exports to Israel amid genocide claims
via The Citizen3 min read
The South African government is facing increasing pressure to stop mining companies from exporting coal to Israel, with claims that the fuel contributes to the conflict in Gaza. The SA Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions BDS coalition sent a letter to the government demanding an immediate halt to coal supply deals, arguing that continued exports contradict South Africa's stance against the alleged genocide in Palestine, especially given the country's case at the International Court of Justice ICJ. BDS highlighted that the ICJ confirmed a plausible risk of genocide in January 2024, triggering international obligations for states to prevent it. In March, BDS formally demanded that Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau use statutory powers to prohibit coal exports to Israel and delivered a report titled "Fuelling Genocide." On April 1, BDS also urged Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy to investigate and prohibit vessels transporting South African coal to Israel. The Congress of SA Trade Unions Cosatu has joined the call, with Matthew Parks stating their support for legal efforts to end Israeli aggression, including sanctions. Mining expert David van Wyk noted the difficulty in stopping these exports as private companies, not the government, mine the coal and have existing off-take agreements. Kaamil Alli, spokesperson for Minister Tau, confirmed receipt of the BDS letter and stated a response would follow. Glencore, a major mining company, declined to comment. Po
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The trial of 62 individuals accused in connection with the deadly July 2021 unrest in KwaZulu-Natal KZN has been postponed after several defendants were left without legal representation. The case resumed in the Durban High Court on Monday, July 20, 2026, but proceedings could not begin as attorneys for some accused withdrew. The court ordered the affected accused to apply for legal aid immediately. The National Prosecuting Authority NPA spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, stated that the State was ready to proceed with five witnesses available to testify. The matter has been postponed to July 27, 2026, for Legal Aid to provide an update on appointing legal representatives. The accused face charges including incitement to commit public violence, incitement to commit terrorism, conspiracy to commit public violence, conspiracy to commit murder, terrorism, sedition, and public violence. The July 2021 riots, which resulted in over 350 deaths in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, were triggered by the arrest of former president Jacob Zuma for contempt of court. The unrest led to the closure of shops and factories, with an estimated economic cost exceeding R50 billion. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, former president Jacob Zuma's daughter, also faces charges of incitement to commit terrorism and public violence, to which she has pleaded not guilty. The State alleges she used her X account to incite violence and looting. A social media law expert testified in November that Zuma-Sambudla's posts w
The Democratic Alliance DA has condemned the Gauteng Department of Transport and Logistics and the Emfuleni Local Municipality ELM for spending over R400 million on a bridge in Emfuleni that the DA claims "leads to nowhere." According to DA's ELM Mayor elect, Kingsol Chabalala, the new Flyover Bridge on the R42 was intended to link the northern developed area to the R42 and the future Vaal River City development. Chabalala stated that the project has been delayed and remains incomplete, while Emfuleni residents face a severe service delivery crisis. He argued that the R400 million could have been used to address issues like inoperable rubbish dumps and raw sewage. The DA submitted questions to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature to understand the bridge's purpose and construction logistics, concluding that its construction was an "exercise in futility." Chabalala highlighted that the ANC-led municipality's failure to plan resulted in a bridge that is effectively a dead end, with two connecting bridges also leading to dead ends. The estimated cost to complete the connecting roads is R55 million, dependent on private funding for the Vaal River City development with no determined timeframe. These connecting roads were not part of the original provincial road project and are on private land, indicating a lack of strategic foresight from the ANC-led administration.
The Johannesburg High Court has granted a final order to the Asset Forfeiture Unit AFU to seize R326 million in assets from businessman Hangwani Maumela. This action is linked to alleged corruption at Tembisa Hospital, initially exposed by whistle-blower Babita Deokaran. The order, issued by Judge Sahida Mahomed on July 20, 2026, targets assets including mansions, luxury vehicles like Lamborghinis and Bentleys, and penthouses. These assets are believed to be proceeds from a R2.3 billion corruption scheme at Tembisa Hospital, where public funds intended for healthcare were allegedly siphoned off. Maumela, identified as President Cyril Ramaphosa鈥檚 nephew from a previous marriage, has been investigated in connection with the scandal, though the President has distanced himself. A forensic review by National Treasury鈥檚 Specialised Audit Services confirmed that 14 entities connected to Maumela unlawfully secured contracts worth over R400 million between 2019 and 2022, involving manipulated bidding and diverted payments. Deokaran, a senior Gauteng health official, was assassinated on August 23, 2021, after flagging suspicious payments at the hospital. National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andy Mothibi and NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago welcomed the ruling, emphasizing its role in fighting corruption. Advocate Chuma Mtengwane, Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions for the AFU, stated that recovered proceeds would be paid into the Criminal Asset Recovery Accoun