“Why all of a sudden the President is married to this process” (Youtube-Clip)

“Former Finance Minister, Des Van Rooyen has now also entered the row involving his successor Pravin Gordhan. Van Rooyen, who spoke wearing his MKMVA hat, says Gordhan should stop undermining the Hawks and subject himself to the investigation” (SABC Digital News, 2016)

Network Africa: Examining The ‘Racist Hair Policy’ In South Africa (Youtube-Clip)

SACP calls for urgent ANC conference (Youtube-Clip)

“The South African Communist Party is calling on the ANC to bring its consultative conference forward. The SACP also came out strongly in defence of embattled Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan. The party held its Central Executive Committee meeting in Kempton Park on Gauteng’s East Rand over the weekend” (SABC Digital News, 2016)

MP Pravin Gordham letter to Eskom on Pre-Payment to Tegeta (17.08.2016)

Eskom Letter 2016

Eskom stands by its statement that it is cooperating with the National Treasury investigation (29.08.2016)

ESKOM-GFX-5-696x435
Monday, 29 August 2016: Eskom is shocked and perplexed that the National Treasury has chosen to issue a statement that it has issued on the Tegeta contracts as they relate to Eskom.
National Treasury started an investigation into Eskom contracts with Tegeta in July 2015. Eskom wants to reiterate that it has been cooperating with National Treasury. Since then, as outlined below, Eskom has been responding to National Treasury requests.
The first request for information from National Treasury to Eskom was received on 31 July 2015. A response was sent to them and they came back with their first draft report requesting further information on 15 September 2015. We responded to that request and they came back with a second draft report asking for more information on 21 October 2015. Eskom responded on 11 November 2015 with the required information including all invoices and payments made to Tegeta as an annexure to the response. The third request was received on 12 April 2016. Eskom was asked to comment on a 172-page document. This request came with a specific instruction from National Treasury to provide comments after they had been considered by the Eskom Board. The deadline given was 30 April 2016.
This was an unreasonable request. Consequently, Eskom requested an extension to provide the information, which was granted by National Treasury. We therefore think it is neither unreasonable that our Board will have considered responses to the 172-page document by end of September 2016 nor a reason for National Treasury to label Eskom as uncooperative. Furthermore, in a letter from Mr Molefe to Mr Brown dated 24 June 2016 Mr Molefe informed National Treasury of Eskom’s intention to submit the required information after it has been reviewed by the Eskom Board, as per National Treasury instruction of 12 April 2016.
Eskom has compiled a response to National Treasury’s report dated 12 April 2016 and the responses are due to be tabled for consideration by the Eskom Board as per National Treasury’s instruction during September 2016. These responses have already been tabled and reviewed by the procurement subcommittee of the Board on 16 August 2016.
The only letter that Eskom is aware of in which the Minister of Finance refers to prepayments to Tegeta was dated 17 August 2016 (attached). Eskom is in the process of compiling a response in this regard in line with our media statements already issued on this topic.
It is also true that the National Treasury has requested all contracts related to Tegeta (as noted above) and that these contracts were subject to an investigation by National Treasury. We therefore see no reason to retract the statement to the effect that National Treasury has investigated Tegeta contracts extensively.

DA Youth League and ANCWL Statement on Pretoria Girls High School on it’s ‘Hair Policies’ (29.08.2016)

ANCWL Aug 2016

Democratic Alliance press statement by
Khume Ramulifho MPL
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education

Outdated Gauteng school policies need to be reviewed by SGBs

29 August 2016
Release: Immediate

The latest revelations regarding ‘hair policy’ at Pretoria Girls High School have brought to attention some school policies which are both divisive and discriminatory.

Policies that unfairly discriminate against people are unconstitutional and do not have a place in our democratic dispensation.

The DA therefore welcomes Education MEC, Panyaza Lesufi’s commitment to launch an investigation. This report should then be tabled before the Gauteng Legislature for scrutiny.

The DA furthermore implores parents and School Governing Bodies to partake in the policy review process and to bring these issues to the fore. School Governing Bodies are empowered to act, and need not wait for an external investigation to do so.

Codes of conduct in schools are there to encourage conducive learning and teaching environments. Creating an inclusive environment for this to happen must be made a priority, so that every child – no matter their race of background – can achieve their very best academically and pursue a life of dignity.

Media enquiries:

Khume Ramulifho MPL
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education

RSA: Statement on Eskom Contracts (29.08.2016)

RSA Eskom Aug 2016 P1RSA Eskom Aug 2016 P2

Investigations into South Africa finance minister worries investors (Youtube-Clip)

“The investigation into South Africa’s finance minister has had some major repercussions. Investors are watching closely, and analysts are concerned a ratings downgrade could be on the cards. Detectives want to question Finance Minister Praveen Gordin about a rogue unit set up at the tax authority during his tenure. Angelo Coppola reports” (CCTV Africa, 2016)

Gordhan also accused of frustrating SAA’s plans to secure funding (Youtube-Clip)

“As the stand-off continues between Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan and the Hawks, Gordhan has also been accused of frustrating SAA’s plans to secure funding. SAA former auditor and risk committee member, Yakhe Kwinana, resigned in anticipation of the airline’s liquidation. Kwinana says Gordhan has refused to give SAA a loan guarantee until a new board is installed. South African Airways says an interruption of service on any of its routes is highly unlikely. That’s according to its spokesperson Tlali Tlali. But Kwinana, says the airline is facing possible deregulation in Ghana and Hong Kong, due to its failure to submit financial statements. Kwinana says her resignation was informed by SAA’s imminent collapse which she believes could hurt her credibility as an accountant” (SABC Digital News, 2016)

Guptas to Sell Shareholding in All South African Businesses (27.08.2016)

Two and Half Gupta

We announce today our intention to sell all of our shareholding in South Africa by the end of the year.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, August 27, 2016 – The Gupta Family said:

Since our decision to step down from all executive and non-executive positions in all our South African business in April 2016, the local management team has grown our businesses from strength to strength, with turnover and profits showing good growth and more jobs created.

As a family, we now believe that the time is right for us to exit our shareholding of the South African businesses which we believe will benefit our existing employees, and lead to further growth in the businesses.

As such, we announce today our intention to sell all of our shareholding in South Africa by the end of the year.

We are already in discussions with several international prospective buyers and will soon be in a position to make further announcements.

We believe that this decision is in the best interests of our business, the country and our colleagues.