Failure to protect Babita Deokaran is a dereliction of duty by the state

On Monday the CFO of the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health – who is apparently a witness in the investigations of PPE corruption in the Provincial Government – was gunned down outside her home after dropping off a child. GOOD extends its heartfelt condolences to Deokaran's family. We also express concern about the speculation that her murder was an assassination linked to investigations of corruption in which she was a witness.

Continue ReadingFailure to protect Babita Deokaran is a dereliction of duty by the state

Mark Boucher’s position is untenable

Because South Africa is a sports-mad nation, the antics of our national teams play a major role in galvanising and/or dividing the nation. By “antics” we refer to the full spectrum of team composition, their performance and the politics that surround them. A year ago, a floundering Cricket South Africa appointed esteemed Senior Council Advocate, and former commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Dumisa Ntesbeza, as the sport’s transformation ombudsman.

Continue ReadingMark Boucher’s position is untenable

GOOD submits 961 ward councillor candidates

One of South Africa’s youngest political parties submitted 961 ward councillor candidates and 761 proportional representation councillor candidates to the IEC, meeting today’s deadline for the submission of candidates for the local government elections. GOOD has continued to work towards the local government elections as if they will go ahead on 27 October 2021. We are ready for these elections and if they are postponed by a month or three we will be even more ready.

Continue ReadingGOOD submits 961 ward councillor candidates

City’s own report bears testimony to the collapse of housing delivery in Cape Town since 2018

Cape Town’s increased frequency of land occupations, new informal settlements and rising homelessness are the clear consequences of the decisions taken by the DA to collapse the delivery of housing. The City’s annual revisions to its Integrated Development Plan (IDP) have consistently revised the targets downwards – and under-delivered even on their reduced annual delivery targets.

Continue ReadingCity’s own report bears testimony to the collapse of housing delivery in Cape Town since 2018

Cape Town’s plan to spend Social Development millions on Mayoral art collection

Government budgets do more than present dry financial information. In the process of disclosing a State or Department's tangible spending priorities critical intangible indicators of morality and integrity are revealed. Hidden in the fine print of the City of Cape Town's Adjustment Budget, to be tabled on Thursday, is a proposal to spend R7.57m on the Mayoral Art Collection. "I have written to the City Manager, the City of Cape Town's Accounting Officer, to ask for an explanation," said GOOD Secretary-General Brett Herron.

Continue ReadingCape Town’s plan to spend Social Development millions on Mayoral art collection

Cape Town City Manager does a Nathi Nhleko in defence of Councillor Nora Grose

Among the most nauseating symbols of South Africa's political decay is when people in leadership positions are forced, or feel the necessity, to brazenly lie and defend the indefensible – and the unlawful. The high point of this dark art in recent times was then-police minister Nathi Nhleko treating media to a demonstration of the famed Nkandla swimming pool in 2015 – insisting it was, in fact, not for swimming but for fighting fires.

Continue ReadingCape Town City Manager does a Nathi Nhleko in defence of Councillor Nora Grose

Western Cape Deputy Speaker Beverley-Schafer asked to explain links to right-wingers and misogynists

The GOOD Party has written to Deputy Speaker of the Western Cape Provincial Legislature, Beverley Schafer (DA), for an explanation about her apparent association to a threatening group of anti-poor misogynists.   On Friday, Schafer announced she will be a presiding officer at the Western Cape's one-day Women's Parliament being held under the theme: Placing the Dignity and Innate Rights of Women in the Spotlight.   Schafer is a prominent member of S-Connect Women, a subgroup of the S-Group founded by billionaire Robert Hersov.

Continue ReadingWestern Cape Deputy Speaker Beverley-Schafer asked to explain links to right-wingers and misogynists

New Jozi Mayor takes office in last chance saloon for misfiring old parties

Newly appointed Mayor of Johannesburg, Jolidee Matongo, enters office with the full weight of his predecessors’ underwhelming performance on his shoulders. With local government elections around the corner, Matongo has a gilt-edged opportunity to demonstrate decisive leadership. But if he doesn’t, he risks the ignominy of being the shortest-lived mayor in Johannesburg’s history. The GOOD Party welcomes the filling of the city’s highest office. Matongo's previous role as Johannesburg’s MMC for Finance will have equipped him well to ensure the City spends its budget wisely and without corruption.

Continue ReadingNew Jozi Mayor takes office in last chance saloon for misfiring old parties