ATM's Vuyo Zungula calls out black parties in GNU for neglecting community needs
ATM leader Zungula criticises black-led GNU parties for failing to negotiate meaningful outcomes, pointing to the Freedom Front Plus as an example of successful negotiations for their community's interests.
Image: Oupa Mokoena/Independent Newspapers
ATM leader Vuyo Zungula has criticised black political parties within the Government of National Unity (GNU), accusing them of prioritising ministerial positions over tangible benefits for their communities.
In a video on X (formerly Twitter), Zungula referenced the Freedom Front Plus, a predominantly Afrikaner party, as an example of a political group that negotiated effectively for its constituency during coalition talks.
"Last year, as you know, we had elections in our country, followed by a period of negotiations. During that time, something that's not often talked about, there was a party called the Freedom Front Plus, which is predominantly an Afrikaner party. When they were negotiating, they pushed for the recognition and protection of Orania, an Afrikaner-only town,' said Zungula.
He accused black-led parties in the GNU of failing to secure meaningful outcomes for their supporters.
'But you find that the other black parties that are now in the Government of National Unity did not negotiate things for the betterment of our people. As long as they got ministerial positions, they were fine. So I think that is the root cause of our problem,' he said.
Zungula's comments come amid an intensifying national debate over the continued existence of racially exclusive towns like Orania and Kleinfontein.
As previously reported by IOL, ActionSA condemned both settlements, labeling them 'dangerous symbols of racial isolation masquerading as cultural preservation.'
Parliamentary Chief Whip Lerato Ngobeni criticised the use of Section 31 of the Constitution,which protects cultural rights, as a justification for racial separation.
'That section protects cultural expression, not the establishment of modern-day Bantustans for those unwilling to let go of apartheid's legacy,' she said.
Ngobeni went further, calling Orania and Kleinfontein 'sanctuaries of apartheid nostalgia' and 'breeding grounds for division and symbolic violence against the dream of inclusion.'
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have also taken a firm stance, staging protests at both Kleinfontein and the Northern Cape Premier's Office.
EFF leaders argue that such towns promote segregation and violate the Constitution. The Pretoria High Court has previously ruled that Kleinfontein is unlawful due to zoning infractions.
EFF Gauteng chairperson Nkululeko Dunga urged the Tshwane Municipality to act swiftly to shut down illegal developments at Kleinfontein. In the Northern Cape, the EFF has pledged to take further action against Orania.
'We can never be party to a government that is allowing segregation within our province,' said EFF representative Prince Mashele.
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) also joined the debate, announcing plans to introduce a private member's bill to clarify Section 235 of the Constitution, which relates to the right of cultural communities to self-determination.
Following a fact-finding visit to Kleinfontein, MK Parliamentary Chief Whip Mzwanele Manyi argued that Section 235 is being exploited to justify racial exclusion.
'We hold the view, as the MK Party in Parliament, that Section 235 is vague and leads to all kinds of interpretations, some of which resemble apartheid-era policies,' said Manyi. 'As much as we must respect all cultures, that respect must not in any shape or form remind us of apartheid.'
MK Party leaders maintain that communities like Orania and Kleinfontein distort the Constitution's intention by using cultural rights as a shield for racial separation.
Meanwhile, the Freedom Front Plus has defended Orania as a legitimate cultural project aligned with the constitutional principle of self-determination.
Freedom Front Plus Member of Parliament Dr Wynand Boshoff dismissed the criticism as politically motivated and an attack on minority rights.
'Since its founding, the VF Plus has been advocating self-determination, as embodied by Orania, among others,' said Boshoff.
'In a multi-ethnic country like South Africa, there is often a majority that pays lip service to recognising diversity but, in reality, denies it.'
Boshoff further claimed that the ANC government has marginalised Afrikaners through its transformation policies and insisted that Orania operates within the law and does not engage in racial discrimination.
[email protected] Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Political leaders demand stricter laws for whistle-blower safety
There is a need for laws that protect whistle-blowers. Image: Meta AI World Whistle-blowers Day on June 23 is dedicated to raising awareness about the crucial role that whistleblowers play in exposing wrongdoing and promoting transparency. THERE have been heightened calls for the Government of National Unity (GNU) to provide better protection to whistle-blowers. During a recent mini-plenary session, members of parliament (MP) from various political parties debated the need for strengthening whistle-blower protection by enacting robust laws that guarantee anonymity, job security, and legal support for individuals who reported corruption. Visvin Reddy, an uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party member of parliament, said they tackled corruption head on. 'We don't silence whistle-blowers. We protect them because in a country drowning in lies, the person who tells the truth is the bravest one of all. I will say this loud and clear, if Babita Deokaran had spoken out under an MK government, she would still be alive today. She would be protected, not hunted; celebrated not assassinated; and the people stealing from our people, they would be behind bars, and not behind desks.' Reddy said those who spoke the truth, faced losing their jobs or lives. 'Take Babita for example, she worked in the Gauteng health department. She saw money meant for hospitals and nurses being looted through dodgy PPE tenders. She did the right thing and what did she get? She was killed in front of her home. The big fish behind it, where are they? They are still free. 'There are officials in licensing departments who are watching bribes being taken daily. There are municipal officials who see tenders given to cronies while people go without water. They stay silent because they know the risk. Over 10 years, the AG (Auditor General) has flagged billions in corruption. That's why the MK Party says enough is enough. We are not here to protect the corrupt. We are here to protect the brave souls who speak up,' he said. Reddy said there was a need for laws that protected whistle-blowers, guarantee anonymity and job safety, provide legal support and emergency relocation if needed. 'We propose a whistle-blower protection act, an independent whistleblower agency, a national whistle-blower heroes fund and jail time for leaking a whistle-blower's identity. All whistle-blower reports need to be automatically investigated by a corruption unit free from political interference. Let us honour Babita and let us protect the next brave voice. This is not about politics; this is about the soul of our nation,' he said. Dereleen James, an ActionSA MP said: 'If the GNU even cared one iota about protecting whistle-blowers they would have done it by now. If they were remotely serious about strengthening protections for the brave South Africans who risk everything to expose corruption then the Zondo Commission's recommendations would not be gathering dust three years later. Untouched, unimplemented and just forgotten.' She said the GNU was not a unity of purpose. 'It's a coalition of coverups and the so-called progressive. The GNU does not want to protect whistle-blowers because they are protecting themselves. They drag their feet on funding the NPA because they are terrified of being prosecuted. They do not want to fight corruption because they are corrupt. The GNU does not want justice, they want silence. Silence from Babita Deokaran, silence from every South African who dares speak the truth. 'Well not on our watch. This is why ActionSA will be introducing a Zero Tolerance Corruption Bill to take on public enemy number one which is corruption. The bill is a warning shot to every crooked politician who thinks they will be shuffled from one coy cozy position to the next. We are coming for you. To every official who thinks that looting the State can be followed by a quiet retirement or diplomatic posting, your time is up. The bill will ensure that anyone convicted of corruption will never hold public office again. Once you break the bond of public trust, you are out forever. 'We will be introducing whistle-blowers rewards based on international best practice. If the State won't protect whistle-blowers, then let us do so. We will give whistle-blowers the means, the safety and the legal support they need to come forward and take down the syndicates that have embedded themselves at the heart of government. The truth is, the GNU is not a solution to our crisis, it is the crisis. The so-called progressive caucus is not a solution. They are the wolves eyeing the sheep and ActionSA will not sit quietly while South Africans are expected to accept corruption that goes unpunished,' she said. Glynnis Breytenbach, a Democratic Alliance MP said: 'In this country are at a crossroads in democracy. One where the integrity of our institutions, the trust of our citizens and the sanctity of our constitutional values are under immense strain.' She said the matter of whistle-blower protection in South Africa was an issue not only of legal and administrative reform, but of moral imperative. 'Whistle-blowers play an important role in our society. They are not saboteurs, they are not enemies of the state, they are brave men and women who often at great personal cost shine a light on corruption, maladministration, abuse of power and gross human rights violations. They are guardians of public interest, uncompensated sentinels of our democracy. 'Whistle-blowers act in the spirit of Section 195 of our Constitution which enshrines principles of transparency, accountability and good governance. They ensure that State power is exercised lawfully, ethically and in the service of the people. When they step forward to expose wrongdoing they are often met not with gratitude or protection but with intimidation, harassment, unemployment isolation and in far too many cases, death,' she said. Breytenbach said that the current state of whistle-blower protection in South Africa was inadequate and incoherent. 'The main legislative instrument, the Protected Disclosures Act (PDA) was a progressive step forward at the time of its enactment. But over two decades later it has not evolved sufficiently to address the sophisticated threats whistle-blowers face today. The act applies primarily to employees in the workplace context. It does not extend adequately to contractors, consultants, volunteers or community members who may witness corruption or wrongdoing. 'The PDA offers no proactive physical protection or financial support. It only provides post-op remedies which are often difficult, expensive and time consuming to pursue. No independent whistle-blower protection authority exists. Oversight is fragmented across the public protector the SAPS, the Hawks and other bodies, none of which are solely or effectively tasked with whistle-blower protection. As a result many whistleblowers have had their identities leaked often by those entrusted with their safety. 'One of the proposals is a private bill which is being prepared by the DA to be introduced in the near future. We must always remember the words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who said, 'If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor'. I urge this parliament to act boldly, decisively and immediately. Let us institutionalise the values of our constitution. We should not wait for another name to be added to the tragic lists of those betrayed by the very system they try to save,' she said. Marlon Daniels, a Patriotic Alliance MP, said whistle-blowers, who had the courage to expose corruption often at great personal risk are not just informants. 'They are patriots. They are defenders of justice and deserve our full protection. If the information they provide us is factual, if it exposes the fraud or abuse of power then we must stand with them without any hesitation.' Daniels said whistle-blowers also played a critical role in holding the powerful accountable. 'Without whistle-blowers, State capture would have remained hidden. Billions of taxpayers money would still be looted with impunity and public trust in government would be completely eroded. Yet, what happens to those who speak out? They face intimidation, job losses and even threats to their lives. This is unacceptable. If we are serious about fighting corruption we must ensure that those who expose it are protected and not persecuted. 'We demand robust whistle-blower protection laws that guarantee anonymity. Whistle-blowers must be able to report corruption without fear of exposure. No individual should also lose their livelihood for doing the right thing and as far as legal support goes, the State must provide legal defense to whistle-blowers against frivolous lawsuits or retaliation. 'South Africa is at a crossroads. We can either side with those who steal from the poor or we can stand with the brave men and women who risk everything to expose the truth. The Patriotic Alliance chooses the side of justice. If South Africa is to be saved from corruption we must empower the whistle-blower. Let us pass these laws and defend the brave. Let us rebuild this nation,' he said. THE POST
Mail & Guardian
2 hours ago
- Mail & Guardian
Environment minister reflects on his – and the GNU's – first year in office
Minister Dion George. (Photo: Environmentza/X) When George, who was sworn into office on 3 July under the coalition President Cyril Ramaphosa put together after his ANC lost its outright parliament majority — said serving in this government 'has required all of us to work collaboratively – sometimes across vastly different perspectives — toward a common goal: delivering real outcomes for the people of South Africa'. In a media briefing to assess how his department has fared over the past year, George said the GNU has created a situation where departments are increasingly working across silos, 'where ideas are strengthened through debate and collective intelligence', and where the urgency of service delivery is matched by a 'shared will to get things done'. This week analysts George said his department had approached its work 'with a recognition that our environmental mandate is not separate from the economic one, or the social one. They are deeply interconnected.' Protecting natural resources, wildlife Among George's 'big six' priority areas is protecting natural resources and wildlife. Here, he cited his department's significant achievement regarding the protection of the critically endangered 'After learning about the sharp population declines and the human impacts causing them, I called for open, lawyer-free discussions that brought together conservation organisations like BirdLife South Africa and Sanccob [Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds, industry leaders in the fishing sector and our departmental experts,' he said. This collaborative approach led to a court-ordered agreement to implement island closures around key breeding colonies. 'We amended the small pelagic fishery permit conditions to enforce these closures, ensuring sustainable fishing near vital penguin habitats,' he said. These changes were implemented almost immediately. His department is also tackling the harm caused by bunkering in Algoa Bay, near St Croix Island, once home to the largest African penguin colony in the world. Ship-to-ship refuelling has caused oil spills and underwater noise pollution. After a A coordinated approach has led to prosecutions and a continued decline in rhino poaching incidents, with George noting his department's attention is also turning to species such as 'The lives of these animals are not commodities. They are a vital part of our ecological and cultural identity,' he said. George said his department's efforts were showing that jobs can be created, new industries stimulated and growth unlocked, 'while caring for the planet'. He noted that in the fourth quarter of last year, the agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors recorded a 'remarkable' 17.2% growth, contributing two-thirds of the total GDP growth for that quarter. In the first quarter of this year, these sectors grew by 15.8%. 'These are not just numbers,' he said. 'They reflect thousands of jobs and livelihoods sustained. We increased the number of fish species available to The department's harbour revitalisation programme has created more than 2 300 work opportunities while through expanded support for sustainable aquaculture, 'we're seeing green technology spark new enterprises along our coasts'. George said the recent floods in KwaZulu-Natal and Mthatha in the Eastern Cape are only the latest signs that the time for talk regarding climate change is over. This is why the department finalised the The department secured George said these were not blanket waivers. 'Each exemption comes with firm conditions, including health interventions for affected communities, real-time emissions monitoring, and a firm commitment to transition to cleaner energy sources. We are holding polluters accountable.' The department is working with the presidency and the department of mineral resources and energy to develop a competitive power market, 'bringing independent power producers into the fold. The goal is clear: to deliver both energy security and environmental sustainability.' South Africa has contributed to international environmental governance, and continues to lead. George said it played a major role in negotiating the At the last climate summit in Baku, South Africa 'brokered a deal that balanced the need for ambitious climate action with the reality of our economic conditions', he said, adding that this agreement unlocked green investment for local projects that will support South Africa's just energy transition. 'And in our G20 Presidency year, we are hosting major environment and climate sustainability meetings, positioning South Africa as a leader on the African continent and beyond. These engagements not only strengthen our global voice but also attract investment and expertise.' George said another of his key focus areas has been making his department's systems more efficient, transparent and responsive. It had launched the regulatory efficiency strategy for environmental turbocharge, a set of reforms to speed up approvals for energy and infrastructure projects, 'while still protecting the environment'. His department had identified 11 renewable energy development zones where significantly simplified environmental impact assessments had reduced approval times from 300 days to 147. 'For lower sensitivity areas, we've introduced fast-tracked authorisations that can be processed in around 70 days,' the minister said. The new national web-based environmental screening tool is 'already helping developers identify low-impact sites for projects, streamlining planning and protecting biodiversity'. Since his appointment, George has finalised 162 environmental appeals, '106 of them since our 100-day feedback session', which is a 'testament to our commitment to fairness, transparency and turnaround times'. Although the department is operating in a constrained fiscal environment, it has launched a departmental spending review and implemented firm cost-containment measures. 'But, more importantly, we have begun thinking creatively about revenue generation,' he said. 'Each branch of our department is tasked with identifying savings and new funding streams.' This includes sourcing international donor support for enforcement and anti-poaching, innovative financing mechanisms for green projects and working with the treasury on sustainable budget models. The minister said the South African Forestry Company or Safcol, SANParks and the South African Weather Service are receiving strategic attention to address governance weaknesses and boost their effectiveness. 'We also celebrated the achievement of a clean audit at iSimangaliso Wetland Park — a symbol of what good governance can look like across our sector,' while flagship projects to elevate the country's environmental brand, improve delivery and stimulate economic opportunity have been initiated. George said the department is finalising the national carbon credits and biodiversity offsets framework, which will allow companies to 'offset emissions responsibly', while directing funds into conservation and community development.
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Floyd Shivambu party‘unlikely to take wings'
Analysts say Floyd Shivambu's party is unlikely to gain the popularity of the EFF and MK party. Former uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party secretary-general Floyd Shivambu's plan to launch a new political party may bring him some support, but it won't have the mass appeal of the EFF, let alone MK, according to experts. They believe Shivambu is not as populist or charismatic as EFF leader Julius Malema or former president and MK leader Jacob Zuma, whose parties are the fourth- and third-largest parties in the country, respectively. Rather, they say, Shivambu is a thinker and strategist who is skilled at working behind the scenes, but not a front-line leader. Shivambu, was removed as secretary-general by Zuma on the pretext that he would be redeployed to the National Assembly, but was subsequently excluded from the list of nine party members to be sworn in as MPs this week. ALSO READ: Floyd Shivambu not on list of MK party members going to parliament Some regard his removal as 'constructive dismissal' and part of Zuma's revenge after Shivambu led an EFF campaign against state capture in which Zuma was a prime suspect. They said his sidelining indicates that in the ongoing public spat between Shivambu and Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, Zuma has chosen his daughter's side because 'blood is thicker than water'. This is despite the fact that Zuma had earlier condemned Zuma-Sambudla's behaviour towards Shivambu and forced her to make a public apology to him or face disciplinary action. ALSO READ: Shivambu makes public appeal for progressive volunteers Independent political analyst Sandile Swana said: 'I don't see Shivambu's party becoming bigger than the EFF. Of course, there will be people who will move from MK and elsewhere to join Floyd. 'He will get a measure of support, but probably his ambition is to lead the country. That is not going to happen,' Swana said. Another independent analyst Goodenough Mashego said as someone who is not a populist or a great orator, Shivambu would not be able to attract members. 'To put it bluntly, there is no space for whatever Floyd is trying to start. There is no vacuum that Floyd is going to fill,' he said. ALSO READ: Shivambu says money stolen from MK party – and he won't resign Shivambu announced last week that he would establish a political party although he remained an MK member. He said he would undertake a consultation process, including listening to different stakeholders before launching the party. Mashego said Shivambu might face an ideological dilemma as a leftist in trying to appeal to a cross-section of the audience as many South Africans are centrist and want centrist policies. In light of the global outlook, such an approach would make him unpopular with investors and the international community. Shivambu is also an avowed Lennist-Marxist scholar. NOW READ: Does South Africa need a political party led by Floyd Shivambu?
