ActionSA once again raises the alarm over the surge in gang violence tearing through communities across South Africa, where ruthless gangs turn neighbourhoods into warzones, littering the streets with bullet casings and forcing innocent families to live in constant fear.

ActionSA wishes to convey its condolences to the family of Gertrude Shope and her political party, the ANC, following the passing of this respected antiapartheid fighter, trade unionist, and former president of the ANC Women’s League.

Yesterday, ActionSA’s leadership continued its oversight visits to critical service delivery sites across the City of Tshwane that are earmarked for investment in Mayor Nasiphi Moya’s first budget, which is scheduled to be voted on next week. The findings from today’s visit once again highlight that the efforts of Dr Nasiphi Moya and her coalition team are beginning to bear fruit, as the growing body of evidence points to a steady turnaround in our capital city.

ActionSA welcomes the additional R7.5 billion allocated to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) over the medium term—an investment we have long championed.

As we head into the tabling of Budget 3.0, South Africa’s unemployment crisis is spiralling out of control, and the so-called Government of National Unity (GNU) seems unable to address this crisis.

ActionSA has formally written to the Public Protector following the City of Mbombela Executive Mayor, Cllr Sibongile Makushe-Mazibuko’s, failure to provide a satisfactory and substantive response to serious allegations of political interference, nepotism, and irregularities in the municipality’s current recruitment of 300 general workers.

ActionSA is deeply concerned about the impact of underspending on service delivery in Gauteng.

ActionSA welcomes the court’s decision to dismiss Dr. Nandipha Magudumana’s appeal against her extradition from Tanzania. This ruling reaffirms that South Africa is no refuge for those who commit heinous crimes under the cloak of professional respectability. Her bid to escape accountability has failed, and she must now face the consequences of her role in the Thabo Bester escape and the murder of a young man whose family still awaits justice.

After reading Deputy Minister Buti Manamela’s article in the Daily Maverick last week, I immediately instructed my office to request a right of reply, which the publication initially granted.

ActionSA notes that the review of the 1998 White Paper on Local Government, launched today, appears set to become yet another talk shop that merely pays lip service to the President’s commitment, made in his State of the Nation Address, to reimagine local government.

ActionSA acknowledges the formal responses received from both the Nkomazi Local Municipality and the City of Mbombela regarding the ongoing water crises in Ward 17 (Mangweni) and Ward 41 (Emjindini Trust), respectively. While we note that both municipalities have finally engaged following our complaints submitted to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), their replies, though varying in tone and detail, reveal a shared failure to deliver urgent, sustainable water solutions. Both responses fall short in transparency, accountability, and meaningful relief for communities that have endured years of neglect.

Just last month, ActionSA joined the country in lamenting the acquittal of Nigerian “bible-preneur” Timothy Omotoso in his sexual abuse case.

ActionSA wishes to extend our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Motome Mokoena (33), who was working as a JMPD officer in Region G Operations. Mr. Mokoena tragically lost his life at the hands of criminals whilst serving and protecting our community.

ActionSA applauds the decisive action taken in Ward 97 to dismantle illegal structures and shut down unregulated scrapyards – a demonstration of what responsive, community-driven, and ethical governance looks like in practice.

ActionSA is appalled by the Gauteng Health Department’s shocking financial mismanagement, as revealed in recent reports. We urge the department to urgently implement stringent measures to improve its financial management operations.