The Public Protector has whitewashed Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala scandal

Acting Public Protector, Adv Koleka Gcaleka’s report on allegations of a violation of the Executive Members Ethics Act by President Cyril Ramaphosa pertaining to a theft at his farm at Phala Phala delivered earlier today, was nothing more than a whitewash of the entire sordid Phala Phala scandal.

Given that Adv Gcaleka is vying for the top job within the Office of the Public Protector, her report today read more like a job interview than a concluded investigation.

By burying the merits of this investigation in legal jargon and semantics, and contorting the law in her interpretation of both the Executive Members Ethics Act and the Constitution, she has attempted to paint President Cyril Ramaphosa as nothing more than an innocent bystander to the Phala Phala scandal, oblivious to the workings of the Presidential Protection Services, his responsibilities as the head of South Africa’s national executive, and his duty as the first citizen of the nation.

This report could only be described as a pro-Ramaphosa public relations exercise.

The Democratic Alliance will be consulting with our lawyers to take this report on review as we believe it contains a number of misinterpretations of the relevant pieces of legislation, and presents a worrying lack of evidence that the Office of the Public Protector itself has seemingly failed to source.

In doing so, Adv Gcaleka has muddied the waters of a matter to which South Africans still do not have any clear answers.

It is also gravely concerning to note the discrepancies between the Nkandla Report, whose interpretation of similar laws found that former President Jacob Zuma was severely compromised as President of the Republic, yet Cyril Ramaphosa is seemingly assessed by different standards.

We will be asking our lawyers to consult the Nkandla Report for any potential legal precedent that can be used to point out the discrepancies in Adv Gcaleka’s findings.

Most worrying in this flawed report is the insidious weakening of South Africa’s institutions as the very last bastions of accountability in our young democracy.

Should the Office of the Public Protector indeed be captured, the DA will work tirelessly to ensure that our democratic institutions are rid of any political influence to ensure that the principles of accountability and equality before the law are always upheld.

Our country’s future depends on them.

Be part of the mission to rescue South Africa, get help registering to vote at check.da.org.za

DA’s First ‘Coalition Stabilisation’ Bill Introduced In Parliament Today

  • The DA has introduced the Constitutional Nineteenth Amendment Bill in Parliament, aiming to limit the frequency of Motions Of No Confidence to once a year in Provincial Legislatures and the National Assembly.
  • The Bill aims to create stability in coalition governments
  • The DA believes that South Africa is likely to see coalition governments in the future and hopes to engage Parliament in creating a framework to better serve the country’s citizens.

Please find attached a soundbite by Siviwe Gwarube MP.

The DA is pleased to announce that the first of its three Bills that seek to stabilise coalition governments across all three spheres of government has been introduced in Parliament today; directly to the Justice and Constitutional Development Committee.

This is a significant milestone in the legislative process that will be unfolding in Parliament in the coming months, where the Bills will be deliberated upon.

The Constitutional Nineteenth Amendment Bill seeks to limit the frequency of Motions Of No Confidence to once a year in Provincial Legislatures and in the National Assembly. Whilst Motions Of No Confidence are a critical accountability tool in our governance framework, specifically for MPs, MPLs and Cllrs, we have seen how destructive baseless motions have been at a local government level. This Bill seeks to insulate governance at a provincial and national level, but contains a critical caveat in that the limitations of the motions will not apply if there is proven violation of the Constitution and gross misconduct by the President or the Premier. We have, thus, additionally proposed an exception to the rule that we seek to introduce.

Research that we are looking at suggests that South Africa is likely to see coalition governments in several provinces next year; and, possibly, at the national level. Parliament now needs to be engaged fully with how we can create a legislative framework that guides coalition governments so that we can better serve South Africans.

We look forward to the introduction of the other two Bills in Parliament and the work that will ensue in the relevant portfolio committees, which seek to achieve similar stability at the local level. The DA welcomes the views of South Africans, interest groups and other political parties in this important law-making process.

We have communicated this commitment to the meeting convened by the Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, this morning. We undertook to present our full suite of the legislative proposals to the national dialogue that will be held at the end of July 2023.

The time has come for political leaders to put aside their differences and recommit themselves to serving South Africans in stable, clean and accountable governments, as our democracy matures and leaves behind the era of one-party dominance. Our proposals seek to ensure stability of governance regardless of which political formations lead government.

Be part of the mission to rescue South Africa, get help registering to vote at check.da.org.za

Cape Town to complete SA’s largest sewer upgrade by 2025

Communities benefitting from the Cape Flats sewer upgrades include Athlone, Hanover Park, Lotus River, Ottery, Grassy Park, Eagle Park, and areas around Pelican Park, among others.

‘Officials on the ground upgrading the Cape Flats Bulk Sewer tell me we’re on track to complete this mega project by 2025. We are putting R206m behind this upgrade in 2023/24 to make sure we get this done.

‘With this historic project – the largest ever undertaken in democratic South Africa – we are upgrading bulk sewers first constructed at the height of apartheid in the 1960’s, and future-proofing these for the next 100 years to the benefit of future generations of Capetonians. When we talk of our long-term vision of a building a city of hope for all, it really comes down to bread and butter projects like this, which bring about better living conditions for residents,’ said Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.

Over the next three years, the City will invest a massive R1,3bn in major bulk sewer upgrades to the Cape Flats, Philippi, Milnerton, and Gordon’s Bay lines.

‘For the new financial year, roughly 73% of Cape Town’s infrastructure budget – or just over R8bn – will go towards critical upgrades benefitting lower-income households, informal settlements, and poorer communities in our city.

‘Besides the improvements to basic services, and personal and community dignity, the scale of Cape Town’s R43bn three-year infrastructure pipeline – bigger than Joburg and Durban combined – will create an estimated 135 000 jobs in the city over three years,’ said Mayor Hill-Lewis.

Innovative tech behind sewer upgrade

 

A bulk sewer is like a highway for sewage. This kind of pipe carries high volumes from a wide area towards the treatment works.

‘To complete the Cape Flats upgrade, the City is using innovative trenchless technology, which ensures that there are no lengthy and disruptive excavations while work is underway.

‘Residents and businesses are not inconvenienced by invasive construction sites in the area, and the only visible signs that maintenance work is being carried will be in the form of some staff and vehicles at manhole access points. This method is also approximately three times more cost effective than conventional excavation construction work,’ said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.

During the site visit, officials showcased various innovative tech. Pipelines – which are 4 metres underground – are first profiled by a robotic crawler using lasers to record the state of the inside of the pipe. Data is sent to officials above ground who are able to determine exactly which method to use to fix the pipeline in the most cost-effective way.

There are three overarching methods of Trenchless Technology – namely, Cured In Place Pipe (CIPP) lining, Calcium Aluminate Cement (CAC) and Spirally Wound Liner (SWL) – and each will be considered when deciding on the best rehabilitative solution for different sections of the pipeline.

Cape Town quadrupling sewer pipe replacement

Across the metro, the City is on track to exceed its target of doubling sewer pipe replacement to 50km for the 22/23 financial year ending June 2023. This is part of a major sewer pipe focus which will see 100km being replaced every year across the metro, for a total investment of R850m over the next three years.

Pipe replacement is part of a strategy to bring down sewer spills over time, including major bulk sewer upgrades, proactive cleaning of sewer lines, resourcing of sewer spill response teams, and digital telemetry systems for early warnings on sewer spills.

These interventions have led to a 30% downward trend in reported spills in cape Town over the last two years based on preliminary data. The City is now rolling out a Reactive Incident Management System (RIMA) to track progress even more closely by digitising the coordination of sewer spill responsiveness.

For 2022/23, the City is executing 36 pipe replacements, with 22 complete and 14 set to finish before the end of the financial year on 30 June.

Sewer pipe replacement projects making up the 50km target for the 2022/23 financial year (ending 30 June):

  • 1 Major Bulk Rehab project – Cape Flats Bulk Sewer Rehabilitation
  • 22 Completed projects – Bishopscourt, Southfield, Constantia, 2x Bergvliet, 2x Kuils River, Strand, Tokai, Bellville, Dennedal, Delft, Milnerton: Joe Slovo/Phoenix, Milnerton: Dunoon, 4x Gugulethu, 4x Makhaza.
  • 14 projects currently in execution – Dennedal, Sweet Valley, Nova Constantia, 2x Strand, Scottsdene, Maitland, Uitsig, Epping, Bellville: Boston, Bellville: De La Hey, Bellville: Welgemoed, Durbanville, Gugulethu.

Planned projects to meet the enormous target of 100km of sewer pipe replacement for 2023/24 (starting 1 July):

  • Brackenfell Industrial, Stikland Industrial, Kraaifontein Industrial and Bellville: Welgemoed. Bergvliet, Muizenberg, Lotus River, Constantia, Tokai, Wynberg, Broadlands, Strand, Kuils River, Mission Grounds/Sir Lowry’s Pass, Tuscany Glen, Eerste River South, Kraaifontein, Eversdal, Brackenfell, Bellville, Brackenfell Industrial, Dunoon, Joe Slovo, Langa, Philippi: Samora Machel, Crawford/Lansdowne, Uitsig, Bakoven/ Camps Bay, Ravensmead, Rondebosch, Gugulethu, Parow Industria, Avondale, Parow, Bishopscourt, Clifton, Lansdowne, Athlone, Claremont, Lower Crossroads, Bridgetown, Fresnaye.

Zikalala’s National Forum on the construction mafia excludes critical stakeholders

  • The construction mafia has been left to run rampant in the construction industry with no effort from government to stop it.
  • Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala’s idea for a national forum to address this issue although late is welcomed but must be coordinated.
  • The DA proposes that the department use a whole-of-society approach and include both local and provincial stakeholders to fight against this threat.

Note to editors: Please find attached soundbite by Sello Seitlholo MP.

The DA takes note of the announcement that was recently made by the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala, that a National Forum – comprising of the security cluster, has been established to coordinate efforts aimed at fighting the threat posed by the construction mafia.

Ordinarily, this should have been welcome news but the idea of a national forum will not achieve much as long as essential stakeholders, who are at the receiving end of these mafias, are excluded from participating in the structure.

In addition to the specialised criminal investigation services that already form part of the forum, the DA is calling on Zikalala to expand the framework of stakeholders to include provincial and local government actors.

The Provincial and local government spheres of government are the implementing agents for much of the public infrastructure projects in the country, and together with the private sector, have borne the brunt of the extortion rackets that are operating with impunity at construction sites. For the current financial year, the Western Cape government has already spent over R40 million on private security trying to protect construction sites from these marauding gangs.

Service delivery is now at severe risk as municipalities are putting infrastructure projects on hold to protect municipal workers against weapon-wielding construction mafias who are prepared to murder to get their way. The City of Cape Town is at risk of losing R58.8 million in unspent budget because extortionists are delaying several transport infrastructure construction projects.

As things stand, Zikalala’s announcement that the government is planning to spend R100 billion over the next 10 years in public infrastructure investment is at risk of being hijacked by criminal syndicates who have made it their mission to destroy the construction sector. Now is not the time to initiate half-baked interventions to deal with this criminality – which is why a multi-stakeholder platform is needed as a matter of urgency.

A recent report by the Global Initiative against Transnational Organised Crime report estimates that the disruption and blockages of construction sites cost the economy over R68 billion. This will rise even further unless a concerted effort is made to go after the kingpins of this mafioso and restore sanity in the construction sector.

It is against this background that Zikalala’s proposed national forum would be doomed to fail if it does not include local and provincial actors in devising strategies to deal with the criminality. A whole-of-society approach is critical to ensuring that South Africa’s construction industry is not held to ransom and run over by criminals who care less about service delivery and the health of our economy.

Be part of the mission to rescue South Africa, get help registering to vote at check.da.org.za

An unaccountable Presidency bans parliamentary oversight to the Union Buildings

  • President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office has effectively banned Parliament from conducting oversight on the Union Buildings complex, which is a violation of the Constitution.
  • This decision was revealed when a Member of Parliament requested permission to conduct an oversight visit and was told by a senior official in the Presidency that Parliament was not allowed to oversee the Union Buildings.
  • This lack of accountability is consistent with Ramaphosa’s administration, as he has created a powerful Presidency that avoids scrutiny and disregards parliamentary oversight.

Please find attached a soundbite by Madeleine Hicklin MP.

In an unprecedented step that borders on the violation of the Constitution, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office has effectively banned Parliament from exercising its oversight responsibility on the Union Buildings complex.

Following reports that there was material degradation of the structure and fittings inside the Union Buildings, I submitted a request (in my capacity as a Member of Parliament) to the Presidency and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) requesting that I, together with Cllr Leanne de Jager, be granted permission to conduct an oversight visit on 30 July 2023.

In a response to my request, the DDG in the Presidency responsible for Corporate Services, Ms Matsietsi Mekoa, made the stunning remarks that Parliament was not allowed to conduct oversight on the Union Buildings Complex. In her own words, Ms Mekoa made the shocking claim that ‘…the Union Buildings is not accessible for oversight visits by Portfolio Committees or members of such Committees.’ Her argument was that the Presidency was ‘unlike other departments’, implying that the Presidency was off limits and accountable to no one.

The DA finds this disdain for parliamentary accountability by Ramaphosa’s office appalling and a direct assault on the Constitution which he swore to uphold. As head of the Executive, section 92 of the Constitution clearly states that the President, and members of his Cabinet, are directly accountable to Parliament in the exercise of their duties.

Then again, this latest assault on parliamentary oversight is hardly surprising when one considers that it has become the hallmark of Ramaphosa’s administration. After going to extreme lengths to create a super Presidency, Ramaphosa has done everything in his power to ensure that his ever expanding office is shielded from accountability.

Public servants working in Ramaphosa’s office now have the confidence to show Parliament the middle finger because their political principal has himself shown an aversion to Parliamentary accountability. The Presidency has become a law unto itself, in violation of the Constitution and the parliamentary prerogative to exercise oversight over the Executive.

Be part of the mission to rescue South Africa, get help registering to vote at check.da.org.za

KZN extreme weather: A warning to step-up climate action 

Note to editors: Please find attached soundbite by Hannah Shameema Winkler MP.

In the aftermath of the significant flooding and landspout that hit Durban earlier this week, the Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on Minster Creecy and the Department of Forestry and Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) to step up on its climate action commitments and prioritise the processing of the Climate Change Bill.

The severe flooding in KwaZulu-Natal in April 2022, as well as the latest extreme weather event this week, once again underscore the urgent need for decisive climate action. It exposes the vulnerabilities of our municipalities to climate-related shocks, a reality that needs to be urgently addressed in our national legislation. The current Climate Change Bill will provide an opportunity to address pressing issues of adaptation and resilience at the municipal level.

Municipalities, like eThekwini, which are increasingly on the frontline of climate change impacts, are woefully unprepared to deal with wide-scale disasters. It is vital that municipalities across the country are provided with the resources, support, and legal framework necessary to build resilience against an increasing number of climate shocks. The support offered to municipalities furthermore requires technical capacitation and rigorous oversight to ensure implementation.

Existing legislation falls short of providing a comprehensive and actionable plan for our municipalities to effectively manage and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

The Climate Change Bill must ensure that our municipalities are well-equipped and empowered to adapt to the changing climate. This includes effective disaster management planning, local infrastructure development to withstand extreme weather events, and the introduction of sustainable, climate-resilient practices at the local level.

Furthermore, we must accelerate our national climate action. We are witnessing the impacts of climate change now, not in a distant future, and our response should mirror this urgency.

The DA stands ready to work with all relevant stakeholders in crafting a strong, implementable, and effective legal framework that addresses the reality of climate change and ensures the resilience and adaptability of our municipalities.

We extend our thoughts and support to all those affected by the extreme weather event in Durban this week. This incident should serve as a stark reminder of the urgency of the climate crisis and the need for effective action. The DA will continue to advocate for climate action and for government readiness to protect our citizens from the worsening impacts of climate shocks.

Be part of the mission to rescue South Africa, get help registering to vote at check.da.org.za

DA to lodge HRC and World Rugby complaint over Grant Khomo rugby quota controversy

  • The DA condemns the disqualification of Western Province in the Grant Khomo-rugby tournament for allegedly not meeting the quota requirements.
  • Racial quotas have no place in sports, especially in children’s sports, and the DA will request an investigation by the SA Human Rights Commission.
  • We will also inform World Rugby about the government’s interference in grassroots rugby and the violation of its regulations.

The DA strongly condemns the unjust discrimination witnessed at the under 16 Grant Khomo-rugby tournament, where Western Province was disqualified for allegedly failing to field the required number of quota players in their squad.

According to reports, the Western Province team initially complied with SA Rugby’s quota regulations, but unfortunately two of the quota players were forced to withdraw from the match due to serious injuries and replaced with white players.

SA rugby requires that at least 11 of the 23 players in the team must be players of colour. The two substitutions upset the required balance and the team was disqualified.

The DA will promptly request the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to conduct an investigation into this matter.

The DA firmly believes that racial quotas and discrimination based on skin color have no place in any sport, particularly in children’s sports.

The focus of a child’s school sporting experience should revolve around enjoyment, skill development, and building relationships with teammates, rather than being exposed to discrimination and forced racial quotas. Additionally, enforcing racial quotas undermines fair and competitive play, potentially leading to instances of bullying and the unjust perception that certain players are not selected based on merit.

Rather than imposing arbitrary quotas on sports teams, the government should prioritise investing in grassroots sports development and ensuring equal opportunities for all learners, regardless of race or socio-economic background, to flourish and succeed. Racial quotas are merely a superficial approach that fails to address the government’s ongoing failure to provide opportunities for all South Africans.

As per World Rugby’s bylaws and regulations, rugby is meant to be accessible to all individuals, with no tolerance for racism or any form of discrimination within the sport. Although this incident occurred at a school-level event, South Africa, as a member of World Rugby, should adhere to the international body’s rules and regulations governing rugby at all levels.

Therefore, in addition to reporting this matter and SA Rugby’s quota regulations to the Human Rights Commission, the DA will also write to World Rugby to bring attention to the ANC Government’s interference in grassroots rugby.

DA lodges complaints against Mashatile and Mbalula with Public Protector

  • The DA has lodged a complaint with the Public Protector about alleged corrupt activities involving Deputy President Paul Mashatile and ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula.
  • The party is concerned about State Capture 2.0, where corrupt tender flows finance lavish lifestyles for high-ranking ANC officials.
  • The DA has requested a thorough investigation into the allegations, including the origins of a loan received by Mbalula and the connections between Mashatile and individuals benefiting from state contracts.

Dowload pictures here, here and here. And please find attached a soundbite by Solly Malatsi MP.

Today I officially lodged complaints with the Office of the Public Protector in relation to the alleged corrupt activities involving Deputy President Paul Mashatile and ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula.

The DA is deeply concerned about the emergence of State Capture 2.0, where corrupt tender flows are being utilized to finance extravagant lifestyles for high-ranking African National Congress (ANC) officials.

Recent revelations have exposed troubling connections between Deputy President Paul Mashatile and individuals who have benefited from state contracts. Moreover, allegations have surfaced regarding a loan received by Fikile Mbalula, the ANC Secretary General, which is suspected to originate from National Lotteries Commission funds.

We believe that these allegations raise serious concerns about potential breaches of the Executive Members Ethics Act, the Constitution, and other relevant legislative provisions. Therefore, we request that a thorough investigation be conducted to determine the veracity of these claims and ascertain whether any impropriety or prejudice to state affairs or public administration has occurred.

The scope of the investigation should encompass various aspects, including but not limited to:

  • Whether Fikile Mbalula received a loan from Upbrand, and if these funds originated from the National Lotteries Commission;
  • The nature and details of contractual agreements involving individuals and companies allegedly involved in corruption related to the National Lotteries Commission;
  • Whether Fikile Mbalula, Upbrand, the National Lotteries Commission, or any other parties involved in the deal conducted themselves in a manner that is improper or resulted in impropriety or prejudice to state affairs or public administration;
  • Whether Fikile Mbalula, Upbrand, the National Lotteries Commission, or any other parties involved in the deal engaged in potentially corrupt activities under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act; and
  • Whether Fikile Mbalula may have breached any provisions of the Executive Ethics Code in relation to this deal, including any potential conflict of interest or improper enrichment.

Similarly, the investigation into Deputy President Paul Mashatile should explore the allegations of impropriety surrounding his lifestyle, connections with tenderpreneurs, and the use of properties linked to individuals facing corruption charges. This inquiry should examine whether Mr. Mashatile violated the Executive Members Ethics Act, provisions of the Constitution, or any other relevant legal framework.

We firmly believe that a comprehensive investigation by the Office of the Public Protector is essential to uphold the integrity of our democracy and ensure transparency and accountability in public affairs. The DA remains committed to fighting against corruption and safeguarding the interests of the South African people.

Be part of the mission to rescue South Africa, get help registering to vote at check.da.org.za

DA celebrates increased percentage vote share in by-elections

The DA is pleased to announce that we have achieved significant success in by-elections yesterday, securing increased percentage vote shares in all four wards we were defending. These results demonstrate the growing support for the DA and our commitment to delivering real change and reliable service delivery for the people of South Africa.

In Ward 11, eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal, the DA’s candidate, Allan Peterson, emerged victorious with an increased majority, garnering 57.1% of the vote compared to 40.7% in the previous local government election. Peterson’s deep roots in the community and dedication to public service have resonated with residents, who trust him to advocate for their interests in council.

Similarly, in Tshwane, Gauteng, the DA congratulates Andrew Lesch on his election as Ward Councillor for ward 83. Lesch’s impressive victory with 72% of the vote reflects the ongoing faith voters have in the DA in Tshwane. With Lesch’s addition to the council, the multi-party coalition now holds an outright majority, strengthening our position to drive positive change, fight corruption, and restore our economy.

The triumph in Ward 14, Middelburg, Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, further underscores the confidence voters have placed in the DA. Elsie Vermooten, a dedicated resident of Middelburg, assumes the role of Ward 14 Councillor with an increased majority of 96.58%, up from 79.79% in the previous election. We look forward to see how Vermooten tackles crucial issues such as infrastructure, street light outages, and illegal dumping, delivering on the DA’s commitment to responsive governance.

In Cape Town’s Ward 107, the DA not only retained the ward but significantly increased its support, securing 94.07% of the vote compared to 82.36% in the previous election. This result reaffirms the trust voters have in the DA’s track record of excellent service delivery in Cape Town and across the Western Cape. We congratulate Jonathan Mills, the newly elected DA councillor, on his resounding victory and his commitment to building on the successes already achieved in the ward.

These by-election results mark an upward trajectory for the DA as we head into the 2024 elections. More and more communities are uniting behind us as the party that can bring viable change to South Africa. The writing is on the wall for the ANC in 2024, and the DA is ready to lead the way towards a brighter future.

In the last 13 by elections, the Democratic Alliance has shown growth of up to nearly twenty percent. From KZN to the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga to the Western Cape, the confidence that voters have in the DA shows that the party is on the right track.

We extend our gratitude to our dedicated activists, public representatives, and staff whose hard work and unwavering commitment contributed to our success in these by-elections. We also thank every voter who placed their confidence in the DA and recognized our unwavering commitment to serving the people of South Africa.

Change is on the horizon, and with your support, we will continue fighting for service delivery, rooting out corruption, and restoring our nation’s prosperity.

Woza 2024!

Be part of the mission to rescue South Africa, get help registering to vote at check.da.org.za

DA announces mass protest to finish off race quotas

The Democratic Alliance (DA) can today announce that we are arranging mass protest action against the race quotas recently introduced by the African National Congress (ANC) through the Employment Equity Amendment Act (EEAA).

We invite every South African who values non-racialism, fair access to jobs and a thriving private economy to join us on the streets of Cape Town on 26 July 2023 to demand the complete scrapping of the Act’s provisions that give the Minister of Employment and Labour the power to set racial quotas.

The protest is designed to build on the success achieved by trade union Solidarity in the form of a settlement reached with the South African government in a process conducted under the auspices of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

In terms of this settlement, the government has agreed to amend the regulations issued in terms of the Act to recognise that race-based affirmative action must be temporary, that there can be no absolute prohibition on employing people based on race, and that skills must be taken into account.

The DA thanks and congratulates Solidarity for this important breakthrough.

However, for as long as the EEAA provisions giving the Minister arbitrary powers to determine racial quotas for private companies remain on the statute books, the risk remains that these quotas will be enforced.

The result will be the extension of cadre deployment into the private sector by giving the government the power to dictate appointments at private companies.

Estimates show that, if the government reneges on its word and enforces the quota regulations, 600 000 people will lose their jobs because they have the “wrong” skin colour or live and work in the “wrong” areas.

That is why the DA is continuing with our High Court challenge to declare the Act unconstitutional, thereby scrapping it and making it entirely impossible for the ANC to introduce racial quotas.

Solidarity has noted that the breakthrough it has achieved regarding the regulations “was definitely influenced by a community standing together.”

The DA agrees.

This is a clear signal that a whole-of-society approach, where we work together towards a common goal, can succeed.

The DA’s next contribution to the whole-of-society fightback against race quotas will be the mass protest in Cape Town on 26 July, where we will be inviting our partners in civil society to join us in the streets.

This united fight against race quotas and the successes we are already achieving also reinforces the urgency and potential of the Moonshot Pact.

South African society is going to defeat the ANC’s race quotas because we are standing as one against this destructive policy.

We must now build on this unity of purpose to ensure the success of the Moonshot Pact, which will see opposition parties uniting to form a viable alternative that can defeat the ANC’s destructive policies and inaugurate a new government next year to rescue South Africa.

Just like we are working in unison with our partners in civil society to defeat race quotas, the DA is committed to working with our partners to defeat the ANC in 2024.

Be part of the mission to rescue South Africa, get help registering to vote at check.da.org.za