ActionSA can now reveal that the Finance Ministry, led by Minister Enoch Godongwana, racked up a travel bill of more than R8 million between July and November last year. Given the Finance Ministry’s mandate of ensuring fiscal prudence in government spending, these extravagant costs are a slap in the face of ordinary South Africans trying to make ends meet.

It has become common cause that South Africa has had to self-impose austerity measures in many areas of public service in recent years, following decades of wanton criminality, incompetence, and other forms of abuses of resources. This has worsened by a toxic combination of greedy, criminal South African Home Affairs and Border Officials employed at several of our country’s immigration posts.

South Africa’s largest steelmaker, ArcelorMittal SA (AMSA), announced it is shutting down its long steel business and closing its plants in Newcastle and Vereeniging. AMSA initially deferred closing down due to a potential undertaking by Transnet in early 2024; however, it was forced to close shop after the government failed to follow through.

ActionSA will write the MEC of Public Works and Infrastructure, Martin Meyer, to refer the matter relating to the dismissal of the Director of Supply Chain Management following an investigation into gross misconduct to the Hawks for a comprehensive investigation.

Following the removal of the former City Manager, City of Johannesburg Speaker of Council, Cllr Nobuhle Mthembu, has called for an Extra-Ordinary Council. We welcome this as the first decisive step to finalising the appointment of a permanent Accounting Officer to stabilise the provision of services to the residents of Johannesburg.

ActionSA can now reveal that the Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), led by Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, has racked-up a travel bill in excess of R10 million since he and his deputies assumed office.

ActionSA has always said that what South Africa needs, at different levels of government, are competent, appropriately qualified and experienced, as well as ethical leaders who place the interests of citizens and residents ahead of all else.

ActionSA will formally request the Public Protector to investigate the questionable circumstances surrounding the diamond gift from Louis Liebenberg, a fraud-accused diamond smuggler, to Deputy President Paul Mashatile, regarding any potential breaches of ethical standards or violations of the Executive Members’ Ethics Act.

ActionSA notes the City of Tshwane’s recent job advertisement for 100 cleaner posts under a fixed term contract, not exceeding a period of three years.

As ActionSA, we are deeply concerned about the current financial situation in Gauteng. The Finance MEC himself confirmed on 26 September 2024 that the province is in a very precarious financial position, which could deteriorate rapidly if the provincial government is not careful.

ActionSA notes and supports the approach of its Tshwane Mayor, Dr Nasiphi Moya, to the disappointing ruling by the South African Local Bargaining Council’s (SALBC) ruling that the officials suspended for the unlawful award of a tender to Edwin Sodi in 2019.

ActionSA expresses its concern that the closure of ArcelorMittal’s operations in Newcastle and Vereeniging, resulting in the loss of 3,500 jobs, is a stark reminder of the deep-rooted flaws in South Africa’s industrial and economic policies.

ActionSA wishes to convey its condolences to the leader of the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), Reverend Kenneth Meshoe, and his family, following the untimely passing of his daughter in the USA, Ms Olga Meshoe Washington. 

The forensic reports revealing widespread mismanagement, fraud, and corruption in the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD) are shocking, yet unsurprising.