4 hours ago

Electoral Court Rejects ATMs Vote-Rigging Claims for May 29 Elections

The Electoral Court has dismissed, with no costs to order, the African Transformation Movement's (ATM) bid to set aside the May 29 national and provincial elections which it claimed were rigged. The ATM had asked the Electoral Court to declare the polls not free and fair as it was announced by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).
The ATM was one of many parties that participated in the 2024 elections. It won two seats in Parliament and also secured a seat in the Eastern Cape Legislature.


The party, however, accused the IEC of failing to uphold the ethics of the electoral process and rigging the elections. Meanwhile, parties like uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party and the SA Communist Party (SACP) believe that the elections were rigged. It argued that there were purported inaccuracies and inconsistencies in the voters' roll, discrepancies related to the ballot boxes, alleged malfunctions of the voter management devices, and instances of misconduct by certain commissioners.


The ATM requested in its application that President Cyril Ramaphosa be ordered to schedule a new election within 90 days. Both the IEC and the Democratic Alliance (DA) opposed the lawsuit, which was founded on claims of errors and discrepancies in the voter list and voting boxes.


The lack of a case for the ATM was their justification. Acting Electoral Court Judge Leicester Adams recently ruled in favour of the IEC and the DA, concluding that the ATM's claim lacked merit.


According to Adams ATM failed miserably to comply with the procedural requirements prescribed by section 55 because the main difficulty with ATM’s case is that, as contended by the Commission and by the DA, the application consists almost exclusively of a series of sweeping, vague and general allegations, none of which are supported by any evidence, let alone credible evidence.

12 hours ago

South Africa has welcomed the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and called for lasting, just peace.

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has expressed support for the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, following Israels extensive assault on Gaza lasting 15 months.
According to departmental spokesperson Chrispin Phiri, the South African government, which has a strong stance against Israels occupation of Palestine, emphasized the need for a "just and lasting peace" that ensures the human rights of both Palestinians and Israelis are respected. Phiri pointed out that the ceasefire represents a crucial first step in addressing the severe humanitarian crisis faced by the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza, which the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has referred to as plausibly genocidal.


The statement underlined that the ceasefire should lay the groundwork for lasting peace, including the creation of a contiguous, independent, and viable Palestinian state. Phiri stressed the importance of upholding Palestinian sovereignty and territorial integrity, stating that no land should be annexed in Gaza or the West Bank, and illegal settlement expansion must cease.


Phiri also reiterated the need for compliance with the provisional measures prescribed by the ICJ. He added that immediate and substantial humanitarian aid is essential to alleviate the suffering of civilians in Gaza, urging the removal of all obstacles to humanitarian assistance to ensure unrestricted access to essential food, water, shelter, and healthcare.


The department further emphasized the importance of respecting and upholding international and humanitarian laws.
The Palestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA) also welcomed the ceasefire, following 15 months of devastating bombardment and destruction, which has resulted in significant civilian casualties.

According to the PSAs statement, more than 100,000 people have been killed, including men, women, and children. The PSA described the ceasefire as an opportunity for survivors to mourn, rebuild their communities, and seek justice for the victims. It called for accountability for the perpetrators of war crimes, urging international support for reparations and resources to help rebuild lives. The PSA also demanded unrestricted access for health workers, journalists, and international observers to Gaza, highlighting the ongoing blockade imposed by the Israeli government.


The PSA reiterated the need to end the occupation, illegal settlements, and de facto annexation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as affirmed by the ICJs advisory opinion.

12 hours ago

Cape Town Named No1 Best City for 2025

Cape Town has claimed the top position as Time Outs Best City in the World for 2025, advancing from its second-place ranking in 2024, when it was narrowly beaten by New York.


This recognition was based on a global survey that engaged over 18,500 participants. Cape Town faced strong competition from Bangkok, which ranked second, New York in third place, Melbourne in fourth, and London in fifth.
The evaluation considered 44 criteria, including dining, nightlife, cultural richness, affordability, happiness, and the overall atmosphere. Cape Town excelled across all these aspects, reaffirming its status as a premier global destination. According to Time Out, Cape Town stood out for its natural beauty, vibrant food scene, and ease of exploration for travelers.


The city received praise for its exceptional combination of cultural, culinary, and nightlife offerings, alongside lush green spaces and unparalleled access to nature. Time Out highlighted that Cape Town has the ability to provide an extraordinary experience for every type of visitor.


Cape Town has a unique appeal that stems from its harmonious mix of urban and natural attractions. Visitors can explore iconic landmarks like Table Mountain and the Cape Winelands while experiencing its vibrant and diverse local cultures.


Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis expressed his pride for his city receiving this accolade, noting that it reflects the happiness and sense of ownership felt by residents. According to the Mayor, the recognition is especially meaningful as it is largely based on feedback from locals, who highlighted the unmatched natural beauty, blue flag beaches, outstanding cuisine, nightlife, and cultural diversity.

1 day ago

FF Plus to challenge full BELA Act proclamation over Afrikaans education concerns

The Freedom Front Plus has called for the revocation of the proclamation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, citing a conflict with the Government of National Unity's (GNU) dispute resolution mechanism. The party argues that the full implementation of the Act, announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube on December 20, 2024, disregards the recommendations made by a task team appointed by the GNU.


In September 2024, President Ramaphosa signed the BELA Act but postponed the implementation of the controversial Sections 4 and 5, which deal with language and admission policies, for three months to allow for further consultation. The FF Plus was actively involved in these discussions and advocated for dialogue instead of immediate implementation.


Wynand Boshoff, FF Plus Member of Parliament and Chief Spokesperson on Basic Education, expressed concern that the President's decision to proclaim the entire BELA Act on December 20 was contrary to the resolution reached by the dispute resolution mechanism. He explained that the mechanism had recommended further consultation on the contentious language and admission sections, and the party believes the President should revoke the proclamation as it does not align with the agreed-upon outcome.

According to Boshoff, the FF Plus's Executive Management Committee believes that the President ought to revoke this proclamation, as the President cannot present an option as a supposed outcome of the mechanism to party leaders if it does not reflect any of the recommendations.


The task team, chaired by Deputy Minister Andries Nel, had recommended that certain provisions of Sections 4 and 5 could be implemented immediately.

However, it suggested that the parts concerning language and admissions be postponed for further investigation and dialogue. Despite this recommendation, the full proclamation of the Act was issued, including the contested sections.
The FF Plus is particularly concerned about the implications for Afrikaans as a medium of instruction. Boshoff stressed the importance of protecting mother-tongue education and the right to single-medium schools, as enshrined in Section 29(2) of the Constitution. According to Boshoff, ensuring the future of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction is crucial for the FF Plus.


The FF Plus plans to engage with Solidarity and AfriForum to discuss strategies to protect the future of Afrikaans in education. The party also intends to request a meeting with the Minister of Basic Education to offer input on the norms, standards, and regulations for the BELA Act that need to be established.
Additionally, the FF Plus has reserved the right to challenge the proclamation in any way that could lead to a successful outcome.