For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost.

Making headlines: DA wants SANDF military chief court-martialled for ‘political freelancing’ in Iran; All systems go for National Dialogue as Mashatile urged to re-engage foundations; And, GOOD Party promises to champion youth voices during National Dialogue

DA wants SANDF military chief court-martialled for ‘political freelancing’ in Iran

The Democratic Alliance has demanded that South African National Defence Force Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya be immediately court-martialled for what the party says is gross misconduct and an alleged breach of the SANDF code of conduct, following Maphwanya‘s recent pronouncements in Tehran, in Iran.

The party said it will formally demand that Minister of Defence Angie Motshekga instruct the adjutant general to initiate proceedings, saying South Africa’s national security, diplomatic standing and constitutional order depend on it.

This after Maphwanya was quoted by Iranian State media pledging “common goals” with Iran, endorsing its stance on Gaza, and calling for deeper strategic alignment.

DA spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans Chris Hattingh said Maphwanya went beyond his constitutional and professional mandate, calling his utterances “reckless political freelancing” and part of a “wider pattern of foreign policy adventurism”.

The party believes his comments could negatively affect South Africa’s economy and diplomacy.

The National Dialogue Inter-Ministerial Committee has expressed appreciation for the cost-saving efforts made to host the First National Convention of the National Dialogue, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, and has declared readiness ahead of the contentious event.

All systems go for National Dialogue as Mashatile urged to re-engage foundations

Deputy President Paul Mashatile this week chaired the National Dialogue’s IMC, where he received a report on the state of readiness ahead of the Convention.

The IMC said it noted the decision by some foundations to pull out of the preparations and has requested that Mashatile engage these foundations for an inclusive dialogue.

The IMC also assured Mashatile that all budgetary processes regarding the National Convention comply with the Public Finance Management Act, noting that the National Economic Development and Labour Council and the Presidency are funding the Convention’s costs from existing budgets for secretariat support, communications and logistics.

And, GOOD Party promises to champion youth voices during National Dialogue

And ahead of tomorrow’s National Convention, the GOOD Party said it will join the National Dialogue to help deal with South Africa’s youth unemployment, which it described as a ticking time bomb for social stability.

On Tuesday, Statistics South Africa reported that the unemployment rate worsened by 0.3 of a percentage point to 33.2% in the second quarter, compared with the unemployment rate of 32.9% reported for the first quarter of the year.

The latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey showed 8.4-million people unemployed, 3.4-million discouraged work seekers, and young people aged 15–34 bearing the brunt, the party said.

GOOD national youth chairperson Kaden Arguile said the GOOD Party delegation would champion the voices of young people and demand “bold, practical action” to create jobs.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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