For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Reza Creamer.

Making headlines: ANC backs impeachment panel, defends Speaker amid GNU friction; Joburg budget remains a concern; And, Malawi to repatriate citizens from South Africa amid anti-immigrant attacks

ANC backs impeachment panel, defends Speaker amid GNU friction

The ANC parliamentary caucus has formally welcomed the establishment of the Section 89 impeachment committee, expressing full confidence that the multiparty panel will execute its duties with “strict impartiality”.

Addressing the media today, ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli confirmed the party’s support for the committee's constitution and the election of its chairperson Makashule Gana.

The 31-member committee, which includes nine ANC representatives, is tasked with investigating allegations that President Cyril Ramaphosa may have breached the Constitution and his oath of office.

Ntuli emphasised that the caucus expects the panel to work in a non-partisan manner, strictly adhering to parliamentary oversight responsibilities as outlined in Section 55 of the Constitution.

ANC also rejected mounting pressure from opposition parties and Government of National Unity partners calling for National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza to recuse herself from the impeachment proceedings.

Critics have argued that Didiza’s senior position within the ANC compromises her ability to remain neutral. Ntuli dismissed these claims as "gratuitous allegations" that are devoid of merit.

Joburg budget remains a concern

The City of Johannesburg's final 2026/27 budget still fails to resolve its underlying crisis of infrastructure decline, weak financial management, rising debt and poor service delivery, despite public pressure leading to some meaningful changes in the initial draft budget.

In a joint statement released today, the Johannesburg Crisis Alliance, JoburgCAN and WaterCAN said that the budget, adopted against a backdrop of growing concern about the city's financial sustainability, lays bare the deep financial, governance and service delivery challenges confronting the municipality.

While organised public participation succeeded in securing a few important changes to the draft budget, including substantial increases in repairs and maintenance spending and reductions to proposed board-member posts, the changes do not resolve Johannesburg's deeper crisis.

The city, however, continues to face weak revenue collection, rising customer debt, escalating water and electricity losses, inadequate capital investment, unresolved governance failures and insufficient transparency, the parties said in the statement.

The trio identified several key concerns with the final budget, noting that residents continue to face rising tariffs and charges, including steep increases in the water demand management levy, which the city retained.

And, Malawi to repatriate citizens from South Africa amid anti-immigrant attacks

Malawi will join other countries in repatriating its nationals seeking to leave South Africa, where attacks on African migrants have been reported in parts of the country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the programme would be limited to citizens who have requested assistance, with details to be announced once logistical arrangements are finalised.

Xenophobic attacks are a recurring problem in South Africa, where immigrants are often blamed for economic challenges such as high unemployment.

Anti-immigrant groups have set a June 30 deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave, fuelling fear among migrant communities.

Mozambique said five of its citizens were killed in violence in the coastal town of Mossel Bay over the weekend, while Ghana repatriated hundreds of nationals last week.

South Africa's government has pledged to crack down on those perpetrating or inciting violence against migrants. President Cyril Ramaphosa told parliament that while tackling illegal immigration was important, the country should not resort to "violence, xenophobia and vigilantism."

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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