Author name: Scott Balson

Day two of the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) symposium on political funding has ignited intense discussions over transparency, accountability, and the controversial proposal for full state funding of political parties. The event, themed “Sustaining Multi-Party Democracy through Enhancing Political Funding Regulation,” has drawn policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders to deliberate on reforms to strengthen South Africa’s political finance […]

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) strongly objected to the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro’s (NMBM) draft budget for the 2025/26 financial year due to its excessive tariff increases that will place residents under further financial strain. The proposed tariff hikes include: • 5% for assessment rates • 5,5% for water and sanitation • 6% for

Over R111 billion has fled South Africa’s economy in the first five months of 2024, according to the South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) latest Financial Stability Review. While the country’s financial system remains resilient, the central bank warns that growing global uncertainty and domestic policy risks could test its stability. Capital Flight Amid Global Instability The

Mahikeng, North West – The Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality is struggling to deliver basic services due to R10.6 billion in unauthorised expenditure during the 2023/24 financial year, a senior official has revealed. Thabang Ramorei, a senior manager in the municipality, confirmed that the financial mismanagement has severely impacted service delivery, leaving residents without essential resources. Mayor Admits Inheriting

Theewaterskloof has had five mayors and four municipal managers in under four years, largely because of political tussles since November 2021. The once financially stable municipality has been bankrupted within three financial years while the ANC, Patriotic Alliance and GOOD held the political reins. The municipality was put under financial administration in November last year.

The Musina Makhado Special Economic Zone in Limpopo, announced in 2018 by President Cyril Ramaphosa, was intended to attract investments of more than R40-billion. But seven years later, the project has all but ground to a halt. Only one company has made a firm commitment to invest. Though more than R100-million has been spent, there

An additional R1.1 billion in funding will be made available to political parties over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), says Finance Minister Enoch Gondongwana. “Over the MTEF, an additional R1.1 billion in funding will be made available to political parties. Mindful of next year’s Local Government Elections, however, we are considering availing even further funding,”

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured a freezing order from the Special Tribunal against a property allegedly purchased using funds misappropriated from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC). The funds were initially earmarked for community development initiatives. The tribunal’s order prohibits the sale or transfer of the agricultural holdings property in Centurion, Gauteng, pending the

More than 30 residents of a dilapidated government-owned building, 104 Darling Street in Cape Town, remain in limbo as their urgent eviction case was postponed again. The building is owned by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, which is seeking to evict the residents. The department says the building is unsafe to live in

Warrant Officer Moalusi, a member of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime unit, was fatally shot in Duduza on Friday evening in a brazen attack. According to police reports, the officer had taken a state vehicle—a Toyota Hilux—to a car wash. When he returned later that evening to collect the vehicle, he was accosted by two