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

Making headlines: EFF seeks to revive impeachment proceedings against Ramaphosa over Phala Phala; SIU gets green light to investigate State capture ACSA transactions; And, DA presents legislation to tackle corruption, strengthen cyber security

EFF seeks to revive impeachment proceedings against Ramaphosa over Phala Phala

The Economic Freedom Fighters brought a case to the country's top court today to try to revive impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala matter.

The scandal centres on the alleged theft of millions of dollars hidden in furniture on Ramaphosa's Phala Phala game farm, which a former intelligence official revealed to police.

An independent panel report found evidence Ramaphosa may have committed misconduct over the incident.

But in late 2022 lawmakers from Ramaphosa's African National Congress, which had a majority in the National Assembly at the time, voted to reject the report and prevented an impeachment committee from being set up to probe the allegations.

The EFF argues the National Assembly acted unlawfully by not holding the president to account.

The first hearing started kicked off this morning.

SIU gets green light to investigate State capture ACSA transactions

The Special Investigating Unit has been authorised to investigate allegations of maladministration and corruption in interest rate swap agreements at Airports Company of South Africa, related to State capture findings, following the signing of the proclamation by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago pointed out that Proclamation 228 of 2024 related to agreements with various banks, as highlighted in the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, and will allow the investigators to look into improper or unlawful conduct by ACSA employees or officials, between January 1, 2008 and November 22, 2024.

This, Kganyago said, will include the unlawful appropriation or expenditure of public funds or property; irregular or unapproved transactions, practices, or measures involving State property; intentional or negligent loss of public funds; damage to public assets; and offences outlined in the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004.

The investigation also extends to any unlawful or improper conduct by individuals causing or potentially causing significant harm to public interests.

And, DA presents legislation to tackle corruption, strengthen cyber security

Democratic Alliance spokesperson on Justice and Constitutional Development advocate Glynnis Breytenbach said while her party expected an outright rejection of its two Private Member's Bills, it was looking forward to rigorous engagements with the Justice Committee and the public, aimed at ensuring that the best legislation is passed by Parliament.

The DA was briefing the Portfolio Committee on its proposed bills – the Constitution 21st Amendment Bill and the Constitution 20th Amendment Bill –  to bolster the fight against corruption and high-level crimes, as well as to urgently protect the country’s cyber security and the right to privacy from cybercrimes.

The two bills will, if passed, establish two Chapter 9 bodies, aimed at investigating, prosecuting and combatting corruption and strengthening cyber security respectively.

Breytenbach highlighted that the two private members' bills will test politicians’ commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring service delivery, stating that “there is no greater fraud than a promise not kept.”

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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