Daily Archives: January 18, 2018

Kganyago appointed as new chairperson of IMFC

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Lesetja Kganyago

By BAKANG MOKOTO

ANC wished well and congratulated the governor of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), Lesetja Kganyago on his appointment as the new chairperson of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) International Monetary and Financial Committee.

ANC spokesperson, Zizi Kodwa said the transformation of international financial institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank will give a greater voice to emerging economies.

“This will also advance development friendly global multilateral trade regimes which has long been a cornerstone of the ruling party’s International Relations policy. To this end, it is crucial that there is greater representation of developing countries across the management structures of these important institutions.

“Kganyago is the first IMFC chairperson from the Sub-Saharan African region. His appointment is a resounding affirmation of a global confidence in South Africa’s financial institutions. The IMFC provides strategic direction to and makes decisions on crucial matters involving the international monetary and financial system,” Kodwa said.

He further said the ANC hopes that Kganyago will leverage this appointment to ensure that the voices of developing countries are always taken into account in decision-making. Kodwa added that Kganyago already serves as South Africa’s Alternative Governor on the IMF Board of Governors and he brings a wealth of experience to the position.

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PAC concern over racial division

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Pan Africanist Congress of Azania said it is concern over growing divisions experienced among South Africans recently.

PAC spokesperson, Thabo Mokgatlhe said it is not only appalling, but also disheartening to witness other human beings regarding others as inferior and sub-human.

“Our founding President Robert Sobukwe, once echoed profound sentiments that we have only one race and that race is a human race, that is still the case.

“The Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) emphasised the importance of nation-building in 1994. The truth is that social cohesion cannot be built on top of economic injustices that we have suffered for more than 300 years after the land was dispossessed by Jan Van Riebeck and his people,” Mokgatlhe said.

He further said they remember their election campaign slogan of “Land first, all shall follow”. Mokgatlhe added that the slogan vindicated them today for what they stood for in the early 1994 when the country was auctioned daylight.

“1994 was tragic euphoria. We were lied to, deceived and misled. The PAC was critiqued for being honest about the agrarian question which was only realised by majority after 20 years in democracy.

“We emphasised under the leadership of Clarence Makwetu that the social cohesion can only be achieved through filling the wide economic gap that we have inherited from the dark year of 1652,” he said.

Mokgatlhe said however, they are firm and consistent. He added that they are not scared to stand on minority on principle matters.

“We have been vindicated on many occasions in political events of this country. We must also state that the conflicts we see in Overall Hoerskool etc are not necessarily as a result of colour line, but between the haves and have-nots. It is between those owning means of production and those who do not.

“What is happening in the country should not be defined as racism rather as class struggle. It is a struggle between those who are owning land and those who do not own the land. It cannot be ignored that those who find themselves “owning” the land happen to be of “European” national and those who have been dispossessed land and are in majority are poor African people,” Mokgatlhe added.

He said: “It is so sad that while the country is going through so many phases, we find ourselves without a leadership. Communities are leading themselves with SAPS as the watchdogs. We have seen two cases of “European” farmers who killed two African people in Kwazulu Natal and the other one at the West Rand of Johannesburg, Tarlton.

“The Overall Hoerskool language issue is just a feature of a bigger problem. It is clear that some people of certain nation do not believe that there can be a co-existence or tolerance of each other. Certain nation believe that the other one should be treated as second-class citizens because they are not human enough in their own land.”

He said government is mum therefore creating void for communities to stand up for themselves. Mokgatlhe further said the PAC is calling for immediate land repossession programme, expropriation without compensation.

“We want to address the economic gap which perpetuates social injustices that we are subjected to today. We do not need much revolutionary antics or to wait for 2019 nevertheless we want the land repossession project to begin as soon as now so as to benefit our poor masses whom are growing impatient,” he said.

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Serei murder case suspects back in court

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BY BAKANG MOKOTO

A PREMEDITATED Murder case against four suspects will resume at Taung Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. Tumo Phatudi, Olebogeng Mgijima, Zwelinzima Mohapi and Lebogang Serei were arrested after the murder of a prominent Taung businesswoman, Kegomoditswe Serei.

Serei who owned a mortuary was shot dead, while at her business offices few month ago. According to investigation, Lebogang Serei who is a stepson to the deceased allegedly hired hitmen to kill Kegomoditswe.

It is alleged that the motive behind the killing was prompted by a ‘will’ that Lebogang’s father signed and made Kegomoditswe a beneficiary. This allegedly caused ‘feud’ between the deceased and the suspect.

According to court, Lebogang hired Phatudi, Mgijima and Mohapi to carry out the murder. Phatudi who believed to be the one who pulled the trigger, launched a bail application along with his accomplice.

The case was postponed to give investigating officer, Kgosiyagae Kgatisang more time for investigations.

Taung Community against Crime organisation’s chairperson, Peggy Molathegi said: “We will continue to follow-up on this case. We want to see suspects rotting in jail and the law must prevail.”

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Zuma supporters warn Ramaphosa against firing him now

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Johannesburg – While some of Jacob Zuma’s staunch supporters are ready to see him leave the Presidency this week, others have warned party president Cyril Ramaphosa that removing Zuma now could shutter his fragile hold on the party and the unity they have portrayed. 

The ANC is holding its national executive committee (NEC) meeting this week, where it is expected to discuss Zuma’s fate as head of state.

It will be followed by a two-day NEC lekgotla to set the priorities for the government for the year.

News24 spoke to NEC members who have supported Zuma throughout his decade-long tenure – some ready to dump him as they embrace Ramaphosa’s leadership, and others who will defend him for now.

“His removal is something I will definitely support. We don’t even want to see the former ANC president get to the State of the Nation Address,” one member, who was in the forefront of the Zuma brigade, said.

He said ousting Zuma will please the electorate, who have grown tired of negative media reports around Zuma.

Zuma concessions 

However, others want a more “wait and see approach”, arguing that Zuma, unlike his predecessor Thabo Mbeki, has cooperated with the ANC so far.

Mbeki was recalled in 2008 – eight months after losing to Zuma at the Polokwane conference, leading to a split and the formation of Congress of the People (COPE).

Zuma supporters argue that he has so far agreed to meet with Ramaphosa and conceded to a Commission of Inquiry into state capture.

Zuma bowed to growing political and public pressure to set up a Commission of Inquiry headed by a judge, selected by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng.

“If he had resisted, then we would have reason to recall him. So, now we just have to finalise on the terms of reference and see the commission start its work. If Zuma is implicated, then we can deal with that when it unfolds,” another NEC member said.

A heated debate is expected within the NEC over the terms of reference, with some demanding that they be extended beyond former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s State of Capture report. The report focused on allegations of state capture by Zuma, his family and friends, the Guptas.

Zuma has faced public criticism for failing to announce the terms of reference. Some of his supporters said they can engage on Zuma’s departure when he is implicated.

“People must not think we are blind loyalists. Some of us detest the Guptas and are angry that some of our leaders submitted their loyalty and conciseness to them. So, the commission must go ahead,” the NEC member added.

‘Tread carefully’

At least three NEC members have warned Ramaphosa that, unlike with Mbeki’s removal, he does not have overwhelming support in the all-powerful NEC.

“He needs to tread carefully on this. People may raise it but it will die,” a provincial leader said.

While another NEC member said: “The outcome of the Nasrec conference means no one can be triumphalist, no one side has leverage to claim victory. He must be careful.”

Two of the leaders advised Ramaphosa to rather continue engaging with Zuma, arguing that they can even insist on overseeing his State of the Nation speech to avoid “surprises”.

ANC Youth League secretary-general Njabulo Nzuza, who also sits in the NEC as an ex-officio member, said removing Zuma now would harm the party and create instability.

The Youth and the Women’s League have led the campaign to keep Zuma in power and supported Ramaphosa’s rival, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

“You cannot fire someone who was not found guilty of anything but just because a cloud is hanging over them,” Nzuza said.

Transition period

He said the ANC needed the next two years to “transition” from Zuma’s leadership to Ramaphosa. He added, unlike during the Mbeki vs Zuma era, Ramaphosa was already in government.

“He is already in the Presidency. He is leader of government business and chairs the deployment committee. The problem is that opposition parties are putting the ANC under pressure. It’s not about Zuma anymore but the organisation,” Nzuza said, emphasising that getting rid of the head of state would cause more division to an already fragile ANC.

In post January 8 statement interviews with broadcasters, Ramaphosa warned against “humiliating” Zuma. He met with Zuma after his election at Nasrec.

“Whatever we do we need to deal with this matter, with the level of maturity it requires, with the proper decorum and I will say we should never do it in a way that is going to humiliate Zuma,” he said.

The NEC is also expected to choose members of the national working committee and chairpersons of subcommittees.

Source: http://www.news24.com