Remarks by ActionSA Joburg Mayoral Candidate Herman Mashaba, during the Real State of the City Address in Alexandra, North of Johannesburg.

ActionSA notes with deep concern the news of a Joburg MMC and bodyguard who were arrested over the weekend at Roodepoort Police Station. A case was opened by a 16-year-old victim, on charges of kidnapping, pointing a firearm, and common assault. The complainant withdrew the case, most likely under duress.

ActionSA rejects the Department of Health’s attempt to downplay the significance of the Constitutional Court’s landmark ruling declaring Sections 36 to 40 of the National Health Act unconstitutional and invalid. The Department’s claim that the judgment is unrelated to the National Health Insurance (NHI).

ActionSA notes with serious concern the response provided by the Acting Minister of Police to ActionSA’s parliamentary question, which confirms that two senior officials within the South African Police Service (SAPS) Protection and Security Services were found not guilty in internal disciplinary proceedings. This comes despite clear findings and recommendations by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) that they had a case to answer for serious misconduct.

ActionSA notes with serious concern the response provided by the Acting Minister of Police to ActionSA’s parliamentary question, which confirms that two senior officials within the South African Police Service (SAPS) Protection and Security Services were found not guilty in internal disciplinary proceedings.

ActionSA notes with grave concern Eskom’s renewed threat to disconnect power to parts of Joburg over City Power’s escalating debt, to the sum of R5.2 billion.

ActionSA has yesterday written to the Speaker of the National Assembly requesting formal clarification that Parliament’s Section 89 impeachment committee may consider all relevant evidence and developments relating to the Phala Phala matter, including information that has emerged since Parliament’s flawed 2022 decision to halt the process.

ActionSA welcomes the landmark ruling by the Constitutional Court declaring key provisions of the National Health Act unconstitutional.

ActionSA is deeply concerned by the horrific reports of the rape of a 14-year-old learner in Masemola, Ward 28 of the Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality.

ActionSA welcomes the belated decision by President Cyril Ramaphosa to finally remove Minister Sisisi Tolashe as Minister of Social Development, following the avalanche of scandal that has engulfed her tenure.

ActionSA welcomes the finding by Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests that the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, breached Parliament’s Code of Ethical Conduct by making discriminatory remarks directed at ActionSA supporters in July last year.

ActionSA can confirm that it has today laid criminal charges against President Cyril Ramaphosa in relation to the Phala Phala matter.

Today, ActionSA Mayoral Candidate, Herman Mashaba, conducted an oversight of the City’s Rea Vaya BRT route from the Johannesburg CBD to Sandton. He was accompanied by ActionSA Councillors serving in the Transport Committee, which is led by the Whip, Lebo Mokoka.

ActionSA welcomes the Constitutional Court ruling affirming that individuals whose asylum applications have been lawfully denied cannot remain in South Africa indefinitely through repeated reapplications and the abuse of legal processes.

President Ramaphosa and his Acting Police Minister, Prof Firoz Cachalia, have both missed deadlines to respond to written parliamentary questions from ActionSA seeking clarity on what consequence management, if any, they have been taken arising from the IPID investigation from October 2023.