For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Lumkile Nkomfe.

Making headlines: Solidarity Movement off to the US again; More by-election wins for the ANC in Limpopo, KZN; And, Joburg mayor to appear before Parly committee over water issues

Solidarity Movement off to the US again

The Solidarity Movement has officially begun what it says is an extensive visit to the US, where the Movement will visit members of the US government, at the federal and state levels, in the coming weeks.

Solidarity Movement chairperson Flip Buys said the purpose of the visit was to advocate for South Africa, the economy “and the people who are working”.

The Solidarity Movement and its sister organisation, AfriForum, made a trip to the US earlier this year, to discuss concerns regarding South Africa’s policies, such as its land policies.

The organisation was criticised for this move, with many blaming AfriForum, Solidarity and the Solidarity Movement for creating a campaign of misinformation that led to Trump cutting funding to South Africa.

The Solidarity Movement said it had sent several letters to the South African government, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, attempting to engage in discussions about the “diplomatic crisis”, its consequences and possible solutions before the visit. However, this was unsuccessful.

More by-election wins for the ANC in Limpopo, KZN

The African National Congress said by-elections results in Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal have confirmed that renewal is not an idea in theory, but a living practice “embraced by the masses”.

The party celebrated its victory in Ward 9 of the Ephraim Mogale sub region, in Sekhukhune region, in the by-election held yesterday.

ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said the win was even more significant as it was accompanied by a higher voter turnout than in 2021, which she said affirmed the growing confidence of voters in the party’s renewal and service delivery agenda.

The party also thanked the Ward 56 residents in eThekwini, in KwaZulu-Natal, who voted for the ANC.

And, Joburg mayor to appear before Parly committee over water issues

Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero will appear before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation tomorrow to account for the growing water problems across the City of Johannesburg.

Morero will also appear with the Joburg Water MD to discuss the issues in Joburg.

Ahead of the briefing, the Democratic Alliance and ActionSA are seeking answers and transparency.

DA spokesperson spokesperson on Water & Sanitation Stephen Moore said for months the DA has exposed the City’s failing water system.

From leaks that run for years without repair, to Rand Water reservoir levels plunging, and most recently, the R4-billion that Morero quietly shifted away from Johannesburg Water while residents were left queuing at tankers.

Last week, the party called for a full overhaul of the City’s entities and requested that National Treasury investigate Joburg’s water tanker contracts.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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