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Making headlines: ActionSA questions EFF, MK Party funding disclosed to IEC and launches legal action against commission; GDP grew by 0.4% in the second quarter; And, Solidarity criticises Motsoaledi’s use of race to gain support for NHI

ActionSA questions EFF, MK Party funding disclosed to IEC and launches legal action against commission

ActionSA wants the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa to investigate the Economic Freedom Fighters and the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, claiming that the parties' recent political party funding disclosures do not corroborate their election campaigns.

In its first report since the May elections, detailing political party funding, the IEC revealed that between April and June, parties declared almost R200-million in donations, the highest recorded since the Political Party Funding Act came into effect in 2021.

In its complaint to the IEC against both parties, ActionSA argued that the EFF and MKP seemed to have exceeded their respective disclosed funding, when looking at the scale of their respective election campaigns. It said the IEC must investigate.

Meanwhile, ActionSA has taken legal action against the IEC’s handling of the R150-million Ezulweni Investments debt settlement, as it relates to the African National Congress.

ActionSA had asked the IEC to investigate matter, claiming that the settlement could not be lawful under the Party Funding Act, which it further claimed was “being rendered meaningless” by non-adherence, self-declaration by parties and by a lack of investigating powers in the IEC.

GDP grew by 0.4% in the second quarter

South Africa’s GDP increased by 0.4% in the second quarter, with the manufacturing industry having increased by 1.1%, contributing 0.1 of a percentage point to the GDP growth.

Six of the ten manufacturing divisions reported positive growth rates in the second quarter. The motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment; food and beverages; and basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery made the largest contributions.

Further, the finance, real estate and business services industry increased by 1.3%, contributing 0.3 of a percentage point to the GDP growth.

Increased economic activities were reported for financial intermediation, auxiliary activities, real estate activities and other business services, Statistics South Africa reports.

And, Solidarity criticises Motsoaledi’s use of race to gain support for NHI

Trade Union Solidarity has condemned what it termed “dangerous statements” made by Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, saying he uses race to try to gain support for government’s so-called “unworkable” National Health Insurance.

Speaking at the eighty-second International Pharmaceutical Federation Congress in Cape Town, Motsoaledi compared criticism of the NHI to the apartheid era’s scaremongering about the “swart gevaar” (or black peril).

Solidarity said the right steps were not followed in the drafting of the NHI legislation and accused Motsoaledi of not answering the “simplest questions” relating to the NHI. It urged him to provide evidence that showed that the NHI was workable and affordable.

Solidarity Research Institute economic researcher Theuns du Buisson said the Minister’s comments were “irresponsible” and formed part of “dishonest attempts” to appease an international audience about the NHI.

He accused Motsoaledi of not showing respect for the Government of National Unity, and warned that “reckless” NHI advertising could jeopardise the GNU.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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