As SA’s political landscape grows increasingly uncertain, key parties within the ruling coalition continue holding separate meetings to deliberate on the future of the nation’s fragile government of national unity (GNU). Cracks deepen in the coalition government as the ANC lashes out at the DA over recent missteps. With the ANC’s chief whip calling for consequences and President Ramaphosa rejecting external interference, the pact’s future hangs in the balance. Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi spoke to Willie Aucamp, national spokesperson of the Democratic Alliance. 

As SA&rsquo;s political landscape grows increasingly uncertain, key parties within the ruling coalition continue holding separate meetings to deliberate on the future of the nation&rsquo;s fragile government of national unity (GNU). Cracks deepen in the coalition government as the ANC lashes out at the DA over recent missteps. With the ANC&rsquo;s chief whip calling for consequences and President Ramaphosa rejecting external interference, the pact&rsquo;s future hangs in the balance. Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi spoke to Willie Aucamp, national spokesperson of the Democratic Alliance.&nbsp;

POWER Talk is a mid-morning talk show programme, hosted by Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi. The show delves deeper into the news of the day along with larger societal themes, inviting listeners to help unpack issues on the day’s current affairs agenda and topics close to their hearts. Ndlozi also interviews the biggest newsmakers and experts in South Africa, helping listeners make sense of their world.

POWER Talk is a mid-morning talk show programme, hosted by Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi. The show delves deeper into the news of the day along with larger societal themes, inviting listeners to help unpack issues on the day&rsquo;s current affairs agenda and topics close to their hearts. Ndlozi also interviews the biggest newsmakers and experts in South Africa, helping listeners make sense of their world.

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Future of GNU

The Gauteng Division of the High Court is under severe strain, with civil trial dates now being allocated as far ahead as 2031. This extensive backlog has led the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) to warn that the situation is “self-evidently unacceptable and intolerable” and a violation of the constitutional right to access the courts. The directive introducing mandatory mediation was presented as a response to this crisis, aiming to ensure that only cases truly requiring judicial attention reach the courts. 

The Gauteng Division of the High Court is under severe strain, with civil trial dates now being allocated as far ahead as 2031. This extensive backlog has led the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) to warn that the situation is &ldquo;self-evidently unacceptable and intolerable&rdquo; and a violation of the constitutional right to access the courts. The directive introducing mandatory mediation was presented as a response to this crisis, aiming to ensure that only cases truly requiring judicial attention reach the courts.&nbsp;

Civil Court Crisis: Compulsory Mediation and the Gauteng Backlog 

The last-minute decision by the National Treasury to scrap the planned 0.5 percentage point VAT hike has left retailers and banks counting the cost after spending heavily to prepare for changes that will no longer take effect. The Consumer Goods Council of SA (CGCSA) has welcomed the withdrawal, acknowledging the relief it brings to struggling households. However, CGCSA CEO Zinhle Tyikwe noted retailers had already incurred unbudgeted financial and operational costs, first to implement the VAT increase and now to reverse it, “which they have absorbed and not pass on to consumers”. 

The last-minute decision by the National Treasury to scrap the planned 0.5 percentage point VAT hike has left retailers and banks counting the cost after spending heavily to prepare for changes that will no longer take effect. The Consumer Goods Council of SA (CGCSA) has welcomed the withdrawal, acknowledging the relief it brings to struggling households. However, CGCSA CEO Zinhle Tyikwe noted retailers had already incurred unbudgeted financial and operational costs, first to implement the VAT increase and now to reverse it, &ldquo;which they have absorbed and not pass on to consumers&rdquo;.&nbsp;

Retailers & Consumers: VAT Increase Reversal

President Donald Trump held a rally in Michigan to mark the first 100 days of his second term, including his drastic reshaping of the federal government and immigration crackdown. While in Michigan, the president was expected to meet with Gretchen Whitmer, the state's Democratic governor.

President Donald Trump held a rally in Michigan to mark the first 100 days of his second term, including his drastic reshaping of the federal government and immigration crackdown. While in Michigan, the president was expected to meet with Gretchen Whitmer, the state's Democratic governor.

Future of GNU

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