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

Making headlines: Opposition parties doubt judicial commission into Saps debacle will lead to accountability; ActionSA lays criminal complaints against Discovery, Medscheme, GEMS over fraud allegations; And, BLSA calls for interventions to mitigate impact of US tariffs

Opposition parties doubt judicial commission into Saps debacle will lead to accountability

Opposition parties have expressed scepticism following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of a new judicial commission of inquiry, expressing concerns about whether it will lead to accountability and prosecutions.

Last week, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made allegations of corruption, political interference, and malfeasance, specifically accusing Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of unilaterally disbanding the Political Killings Task Team and redirecting 121 active investigation dockets to the office of National Deputy Commissioner Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, where they have allegedly been neutralised.

In response, Ramaphosa announced the establishment of the commission to investigate the allegations and he placed Mchunu on a leave of absence with immediate effect, appointing Professor Firoz Cachalia as acting Minister of Police.

Oppositions parties including ActionSA, Inkatha Freedom Party, Democratic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters and the uMkhonto weSizwe Party have been calling for Mchunu’s removal from Cabinet since Mkhwanazi publicly made his claims.

Ramaphosa announced that the inquiry will be chaired by acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, and will be assisted by Advocate Sesi Baloyi and Advocate Sandile Khumalo.

He said the Commission would have the power to refer matters for immediate criminal investigation and urgent decisions on prosecution.

ActionSA lays criminal complaints against Discovery, Medscheme, GEMS over fraud allegations

ActionSA today said it is hopeful that a criminal investigation against Discovery, Medscheme and GEMS will expose the “deep-seated rot” in the health sector, as it seeks to root out criminality and discriminatory practices that undermine South Africa’s constitutional democracy.

ActionSA MP and Health Portfolio Committee member Dr Kgosi Letlape lodged criminal complaints against the medical aid schemes over allegations of fraud, intimidation, and other criminal conduct that is alleged to have persisted for several years.

Following the findings of the Section 59 Investigation, which found evidence of systemic and unfair racial discrimination by major medical schemes against black healthcare providers between 2012 and 2019, ActionSA is of the considered view that a broader investigation into the conduct of these schemes is both necessary and overdue.

Letlape pointed out that these materials, which the party cannot obtain independently, are essential to uncovering the full extent of any wrongdoing and ensuring that those implicated are held to account, including both medical schemes and practitioners who may have engaged in criminal conduct.

And, BLSA calls for interventions to mitigate impact of US tariffs

While there may be scope to negotiate the 30% tariff imposed on South African exports to the US, the country must prepare for the worst-case scenario and take steps to mitigate the impact on affected industries, business organisation Business Leadership South Africa CEO Busi Mavuso writes in her latest weekly newsletter.

US President Donald Trump on July 7 informed South Africa of its intention to impose a 30% tariff on South African products exported to the US, separate from sectoral tariffs, from August 1.

South Africa’s exports to the US make up just 2.2% of GDP and some of this basket will be unaffected because there are specific exemptions, particularly for raw materials such as platinum, gold, chrome and coal that the US deems critical, Mavuso points out.

The most critical sectors to be affected are vehicles and parts, agricultural output, steel and aluminium (which face 50%) and other manufactured goods. Certain companies would be considerably impacted as they are significantly exposed to the US market, she adds.

While some of those businesses will be able to find new markets for their output, this does take time and, in the short term, they may face a shock that could impact their supply chains, Mavuso postulates.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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