EXCO ROUNDTABLE DIALOGUE LIVE ON LESEDI FM
“One Year of the 7th Administration”
Date: Wednesday, 06 August 2025
Platform: Lesedi FM
Time: 12:00-15:00
US President Donald Trump officially signing an executive order reimposing sweeping tariffs on US imports from dozens of countries, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that South Africa would continue trade negotiations with Washington.
South Africa has been slapped with a 30% tariff on all goods imported from the country to the US.
Trump said the order was aimed at protecting American industries and reducing the trade deficit.
Speaking at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Friday, Ramaphosa said he was still hopeful that a deal would be stuck with the country’s second-biggest trading partner.
The president said that a mutually beneficial trade package had been put on the table.
"We wanted a number of trade items to be exempted and we wanted to offer them the ability to invest in our economy, as well as South African companies to invest in the US. So that package is still to be fully negotiated."
*This article was first published by EWN NEWS
Operation Dudula's organisational leader, Zandile Dabula, has announced that the organisation will launch a campaign at the end of December 2025, continuing into the first week of January 2026, aimed at preventing foreign children, particularly those without legal documentation, from enrolling in public schools in South Africa.
But Equal Education (EE) and the Equal Education Law Centre (EELC) are pushing back calling the proposed campaign a violation of South Africa's Constitution and a precedent setting High Court ruling.
The issue of foreign nationals in South Africa, particularly undocumented migrants, has been contentious and ongoing, sparking public debates, protests, and policy discussions for years.
Concerns over access to limited resources such as housing, healthcare, and education have fueled tensions between local communities and foreign nationals.
According to Dabula, members of Operation Dudula will be stationed at schools to enforce the policy.
“No foreign child will be attending school in a public school,” she said. “They can rather take them to private schools, we don’t care, but public schools are going to be reserved for South African children only.”
When asked whether the campaign targets all foreign children or only those without legal documentation, Dabula said, “I’m talking about illegal foreigners who will definitely not be accepted, but those who claim to be legal.
We have Home Affairs, bogus Home Affairs, and we’ve seen a lot of them. You also know about these bogus Home Affairs.”
She emphasised that all foreign nationals would need to be thoroughly vetted, including the legal status of their parents.
“They must be checked, thoroughly checked, because how did they come to this country? Are their parents documented?”
Speaking to IOL News, Equal Education (EE) and the Equal Education Law Centre (EELC) sharply criticised Operation Dudula’s campaign as unlawful, unconstitutional, and deeply harmful to children.
“South Africa has a long history of dispossession, unequal resources for our communities, and unequal laws. Thirty years since the dawn of democracy, we remember this history because many of those living in South Africa still look forward to service delivery that gives our families access to basic resources such as health, education, and adequate housing. The poor access to these resources can mostly be attributed to poor government planning, corruption, wasteful expenditure, and poor political will.”
“Children should never be collateral damage of the failures of those in power.”
EE and EELC highlighted the protections guaranteed to all children, saying:
“The Constitution of South Africa, in Section 29(1)(a) and Section 9, gives everyone an equal right to basic education and prohibits discrimination against any child in accessing this right. No child may be excluded from attending a public school, regardless of their documentation status or nationality.
This was confirmed in the Department of Basic Education Circular 1 of 2020, a response to the judgment of the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court in Centre for Child Law & Others v Minister of Basic Education and Others ,which restated the obligation of Provincial Education Departments and schools to admit all learners, and undocumented learners in particular.”
EE and EELC said denying any learner access to school perpetuates inequality and undermines democratic values. Denying children access to their right to education can be very traumatising.
“Any interference with the enjoyment of the right to equal education will constitute a grave constitutional violation and is condemned by Equal Education and the Equal Education Law Centre in the strongest terms.
''All learners in South Africa are entitled to an education, and we must make sure that this right is protected and upheld to build the equitable society envisioned by our democracy.”
Further condemning the campaign, Section27 said: “Operation Dudula’s campaign is unlawful and unconstitutional. Children must be protected, and all state departments and individuals have a constitutional obligation to act in the best interests of children.”
Section27 referenced Centre for Child Law v Minister of Basic Education (Phakamisa judgment), in which the court confirmed that all children, regardless of immigration status, are entitled to education under Section 29(1)(a) of the Constitution.
“Our courts have held that all children, despite their immigration status, are entitled to basic education,” Section27 said.
“The court in the Phakamisa judgment interrogated the constitutionality of a circular by the Eastern Cape Department of Basic Education, which provided that undocumented learners would not be enrolled at schools. The High Court found that such a circular infringed learners’ rights and was not in the best interests of the child.”
The South African Schools Act (SASA), as amended by the Basic Education Law Amendment Act 32 of 2024, now codifies this legal protection. Section 5(1A) of SASA mandates that undocumented learners must be allowed admission into schools and may provide an affidavit containing the learner's details.
In addition, Section 3(7) of SASA outlines legal consequences for those who interfere with schooling:
“If any person unlawfully or intentionally disrupts or hinders educational activities, they are guilty of an offence and liable, on conviction, to a fine or imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both.”
“Operation Dudula’s campaign to prevent undocumented learners from being enrolled at schools or entering school grounds is intentional, and the disruption of school activities is an infringement of the right to basic education in terms of Section 29(1)(a) of the Constitution and the South African Schools Act,” said Section27.
*This article was first published by IOL NEWS
The shooting murder of a female public prosecutor in front of her child and partner has been described as an attack on the rule of law.
Tracy Brown, a regional court prosecutor, was shot and killed in front of her house at Lotton Street, Young Park in Gqeberha on Thursday after four men alighted from a white Polo vehicle and fired multiple shots at her vehicle.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Mthunzi Mhaga, said they condemned the killing, of which the motive is not yet known.
Mhaga said: “Tracy Brown was shot assassination-style by four armed men in front of her house in Gqeberha, in the presence of her partner and minor child. The motive for Brown’s senseless killing is unknown. Her murder is an attack on the rule of law and our tireless efforts to hold criminals accountable. The NPA, together with law enforcement, will spare no effort in ensuring that the perpetrators of this brutal murder are brought to justice.
“The recent killing of prosecutors, who put their lives on the line every day in the pursuit of justice, is deeply disturbing. This murder follows the merciless killing of another prosecutor, Elona Sombulula, from the Engcobo Magistrate's Court in April this year,” said Mhaga.
He added that prosecutors take on their duties with courage and a deep commitment to serving the people, “often at great personal risk”.
“To target those who dedicate their lives to upholding the law is to strike at the heart of our constitutional democracy. We will not be deterred in our resolve to deliver on our mandate to ensure justice for the people of our country. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with Brown’s family, friends and colleagues at this sad and difficult time,” said Mhaga.
On Thursday, police appealed for the public to come forward with information relating to the brazen murder, which occurred in the Algoa Park policing precinct at 3.30pm.
SAPS spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said: “While still seated in her vehicle, a Toyota Etios, four unknown suspects wearing masks stopped with a white VW Polo in the street, they got out of the vehicle and multiple shots were fired at her vehicle. The deceased was rushed to the hospital with gunshot wounds but passed away upon arrival. The motive and the suspects are unknown, and the investigation is ongoing.”
Any person who could assist police with information in the investigation can contact the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Errol Kleinhans, on 083 243 4567 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via the My SAPS App.
*This article was first published by IOL NEWS
Boipelo Mere
A 32-year-old Kimberly soldier was trampled to death by a herd of elephants in Limpopo on Sunday.
Xavier Raynard’s remains were discovered near the banks of the Limpopo River, about 300 meters from the Madimbo Operation Base patrol border.
Raynard formed part of the ten Anti-Air Regiment and deployed to Limpopo under Operation CORONA.
Operation CORONA is a national border safeguarding initiative aimed at protecting South Africa’s territorial integrity and combating transnational crimes along the country’s borders.
Members deployed in these operations face harsh terrain, isolation, and exposure to unpredictable natural conditions in the line of duty.
Journal News spoke to his aunt Debbie Damons in Kimberly and she described how Xavier has had various life-threatening encounters during his years of service in the army.
She says he was among the affected soldiers who cheated death when the Lohatlha Military base between Kimberley and Postmasburg was ravaged by fire in October 2023.
She also said he was shot in the leg a few years ago during his deployment to DRC.
She said Raynard was looking forward to returning to his original base in Durban, which was meant to happen on Wednesday 30 July, 3 days later.
Damons says the family is heartbroken and frustrated because they don’t know exactly when the funeral will be.
It is anticipated that an official SANDF funeral will be in Kimberley.
Damons said she raised Raynard after his mother passed on when he was 4 years old.
“I suffered several relapses and was put on drips ever since I heard the news. Even his siblings remain traumatised and broke down after the announcement was made,” said Damon.
Lauren Lienbenberg from Vhembe Biosphere Game Reserve said they are aware of the incident, and described it as a ‘tragic death that no one deserves.’
She said the area where Raynard was found is not far from their game reserve, and that it has a thick bush with a huge elephant population.
“We do meet with the army members regularly because they are also our frontline defence on the border.
“We also constantly warn them not to use their earphones when they go out, for their safety just as it is for them to carry their weapon regularly.
“The elephants get distressed, especially during the dry season, and make the wildlife area challenging to manage.
“However, investigations are still in progress and we will hear what exactly happened, she said.
SANDF spokesperson Prince Tshabalala confirmed the tragic death.
Tshabalala said early indications suggest that the incident may have taken place while Rynard was conducting routine patrols in the area.
“His service weapon was recovered at the scene.
“The matter is currently under investigation by SANDF authorities in cooperation with environmental and wildlife officials to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident, said Tshabalala.
