Face The Nation

The state has rejected Dr Malusi Gigaba’s bid for legal assistance. Gigaba’s lawyer, Nicholas Kourie, says his client’s charges emanate from him discharging his duties as a Cabinet minister. Kourie says they are considering other options and may appeal the ruling but insists they are 100% ready for trial. Khadija Jamaloodien, the Chief Director for Health Product Procurement at the National Health Department, says it is not a legal requirement for the department to examine the financial records of companies. This follows two pharmaceutical companies, appointed to supply ARV medication, entering business rescue. Jamaloodien says the department had done business with the companies before. Maya Ungar, a UN analyst from the International Crisis Group, says there are concerns about the potential delegitimisation of the UN Security Council with Donald Trump’s Board of Peace. Trump presided over the first meeting of his Board of Peace today, where he announced a $17 billion pledge from the US and other countries towards a Gaza reconstruction fund. Thami Ngubane, a SALGA NEC member, says municipalities should not be held criminally responsible for failing to provide services. President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed that government has already lodged criminal complaints against 56 municipalities and may pursue municipal managers in their personal capacity for contravening the National Water Act. Ngubane says municipalities are owed billions by government and households, which limits their capacity to deliver their functions.

Former SA ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool says new US ambassador to South Africa, Brent Bozell III should have been a non-starter. Rasool says if South Africa couldn't convince Bozell's boss, Donald Trump about the lack of a genocide in the country, it won't be able to convince the messenger.

Presidential spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya has denied that president Cyril Ramaphosa is protecting some cabinet ministers who have been implicated in wrong-doing, including suspended police minister Senzo Mnchunu, who has been implicated in serious criminal misconduct by the Madlanga commission of Inquiry while serving as minister of police. Magwenya says the president has ordered a probe into allegations of corruption revealed by the commission. Acting minister of police, Firoz Cachalia says the mandate of the SAPS probe into Madlanga commission corruption will be to investigate 14 individals who have been implicated by the commission for criminal conduct. Cachalia says the commission has stated that there is prima facie findings against these individuals, which warrants further investigation. He further says that there are serious problems of criminal conduct and criminal capture within SAPS. North West Businesman, Brown Mogotsi says he has not yet received a subpoena to appear before the Ad hoc Committee. He says the level of security offered to him by parliament is not sufficient to safeaguard his life and also says he does not trust the state. Mogotsi is demanding that he should use his own security, who should be paid for by the state and be provided with petrol, accommodation and food when he appears before the Ad Hoc committee investigating police corruption.

The ANC in Johannesburg has denied allegations of vote rigging. Regional Spokesperson, Mantombi Nkosi says the party will not be replacing Dada Morero as the Joburg mayor following his defeat. The party says its happy about the positive outlook of the City of Johannesburg from ratings agencies. Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, Prof Somadoda Fikeni says it is clear that some requirements where flouted during the appointment of a 22-year-old social development chief-of- staff. Fikeni says reforms have been put in place to deal with issues such as this one. Spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Premier, Sonwabo Mbananga says the Eastern Cape government is concerned that Abathembu King, Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo did not follow proper channels in facilitating meetings with the Israeli embassy. The EC government says the engagements undermined the sovereignty of the country. Director-General at the Department of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nkosinathi Sishi says Damelin has failed to comply with 7 major issues including failure to supply auditors with student data, failure to submit SAQA reports and annual financial statements. Sishi says the department is concerned about the students and teachers employed by Damelin.

March and March's Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, says children of illegal foreigners are being prioritised for placement at Addington primary school in KZN, despite their lack of documents. Ngobese-Zuma says government needs to make provision for transport for children who are placed far from their places of residence. KZN Education Spokesperson, Mlu Mtshali has denied that Addington primary prioritises children of illegal foreigners, saying the school currently only has 5 undocumented foreign children. Mtshali has urged March and March and the community to air their grievances through the right channels like Parliament. He says Addington Primary school was chosen as a soft target. ActionSA president Herman Mashaba says the party is in support of their Ekurhuleni Mayoral candidate, Xolani Khumalo following his arrest on assault charges. Mashaba says Xolani is in possession of evidence that will clear him of the charges. He says international drug cartels and syndicates are behind Khumalo's arrest. On US president Dobald Trump's threats to impose 200% on French wine, The French ambassador to South Africa David Martinon, says France will not be influenced by intimidation and threats. Martinon says seven European countries have decided to send troops to Greenland in support of Denmark. He says France believes that Greenland is a sovereign state and it is not for sale.

* MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela says his party is calling for the Hawks to investigate, DA members John Steenhuisen and Willie Aucamp over lion bone trade. Claims for private and commercial use. Ndhlela says the allegations expose the shallowness of the party's posture of clean governance. * Public service and administration minister, Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi says there's a challenge of resources which hinders the process of lifestyle audits. Buthelezi says ministers will also undergo lifestyle audits in a separate process. * Venezuelan Journalist, Luis Carlos Diaz says the meeting between US president Donald Trump and opposition leader, Maria Machado will be a defining moment for the country's future.

Al Jama-ah President, Ganief Hendricks says his party decided to withdraw the motion of no confidence against Johannesburg mayor, Dada Morero because they were impressed by the work done by the Joburg admistration in hosting a successful G20 summit, and that their decision was in the best interest of the public. Pressed for more, Hendricks then said it was a collective decision, taken, to plan for the upcoming election after looking at the current coalitions. Hendricks says there is a will to turn Johannesburg around. Member of the select committee on security and justice Nicholas Gotsell, says trust in the police is at an all-time low, whereas crime is high. Gotsell says thousands of SAPS firearms have either been stollen or missing. German ambassador to South Africa, Andreas Peschke says they believe that South Africa has a role to play in the G20 summit, especially as it is the only African country that is currently a member of the group. Peschke says there was a lot of support and admiration for South Africa during the G20 Summit in Johannesburg last week.

SABC news correspondent Sherwin Bryce-Pease says the US deciding to come to the G20 is only ceremonial and that the US has made a clear disassociation from the G20, saying it will not participate or send a delegation to the summit taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa. French Ambassador to South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi, David Martinon, says the US not participating in the G20 summit is unfortunate. Martinon says his country, France, will support the G20 declaration and that they are here to help South Africa. Prince Simakade Zulu's spokesperson, Prince Thokozani Zulu, disputes claims made by Brown Mogotsi at the Madlanga commission that the PKTT targeted Prince Simakade's allies. Prince Thokozani says Mogotsi's claims further divide the Amazulu House. He says the Prince has never interacted with Mogotsi and that he may have accessed information through the intelligence services or his sources.

Former KZN Hawks head, Johan Booysen, says it is unlawful for state handlers to reveal the identity of informants, and so it will not be appropriate to do so in Mogotsi's case. And the CEO of IRS forensic investigations, Chad Tomas, describes Brown Mogotsi as an agent provocateur and information peddler and says credence cannot be given to what he says. Former ANC treasurer general, Matthew Phosa, says ANC leaders who are implicated by the Madlanga commission are criminals. Phosa says there must be consequences and that people must be prosecuted for wrongdoing. He also says politicians must stay away from law enforcement and not use them for their own benefit.

* Chairperson of parliament's ad hoc committee, Soviet Lekganyane says parliament will seek legal advice on the contradictory testimony by Senzo Mchunu's chief of staff, Cedric Nkabinde. Lekganyane says Nkabinde's actions were inexcusable. He also says that it would not have been possible for the evidence leaders to anticipate situations like the one with Nkabinde before the witnesses' appearance before the parliament's ad hoc committee, as they only work based on sworn statements. * Western Cape Premier Alan Winde says he never hid the report exposing the gang infiltration of the Western Cape SAPS, but was being cautious to protect the lives of the investigators following the murder of 3 others who were involved in the investigation. Winde has called for more power in policing for the province. * Attorney for Black Rock Mining Sinenhlanhla Mnguni says his firm paid R4, 5 million to Makate's attorneys towards his litigation costs in his case with Vodacom.

ANC North West Provincial Secretary, Louis Diremelo says the party is investigating allegations that one of its officials and MMC for budget and finance, Winnie Sono has exploited EPWP workers at the Moretele municipality in the Bojanala district by forcing them to pay a R40 membership to join the ANC. Workers were also made to perform domestic chores and gardening at Sono's home. Former deputy president of Afrika Mayibuye Movement, Nolubabalo Mcinga says there is a problem with how women are treated within the movement and that she decided to stand up and voice her dissatisfaction. Mcinga says Floyd Shivabu's leadership style is that of a dictator and says her voice was silenced in the party. Umngeni-Uthukela water board member, Khanyisani Shandu has denied links to a company that is alleged to have received 390 million for a pipeline project that should have cost R80 million. For more news, visit sabcnews.com and #SABCNews on all Social Media platforms.

Security Strategist and retired Interpol Ambassador, Andy Mashaile says deputy police minister, Cassel Mathale threw suspended Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu further under the bus. Police deputy minister Cassel Mathale concluded his testimony at Parliament's Ad hoc inquiry. Member of Parliament and Leader of the National Coloured Congress, Fadiel Adams has laid perjury charges against the KZN police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Adams says the party is taking a hard line against Mkhwanazi and insists he must be held accountable.The National Coloured Congress MP has denied that the charges are linked to Mkhwanazi's allegations about Adams relating to interference in the police A prelimenary investigation by the Eastern Cape department has found that the Principal of Ulwazi High School in East London diverted school funds for personal use. The EC Education Department Spokesperson, Malibongwe Mtima says the department is deeply embarassed by this incident and will take necessary action. Mtima adds that the department intends to lay criminal charges against the Principal. A group of Afrikaners have penned an open letter rejecting the US government's recent decision to give white South Africans priority for refugee status. Dr Lindie Koorts, who is part of the group, says the narrative that Afrikaners are victims of racial persecution is part of fear-mongering.

Ad Hoc Committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane says people whose names are mentioned during the sitting may make an application to appear before the parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee. Director General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation Zane Dangor, says the activists were on a mission to deliver aid in Gaza. Minister of Correctional Services, Dr Pieter Groenewald says SA's parole system needs to be improved to ensure the safety of the public. This includes proper rehabilitation and the increasing of correctional staff.

Wife of one of the abductees aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, Zaheera Moola says she had a recent call with her husband Reaaz and says they're hoping for the safe return of the abducted South Africans. Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi has slammed Advocate Motau for his claims that budget limitations are the behind his reason for leaving the Madlanga Commission and says Motau needs to take the nation into confidence and say exactly what his reasons were. Kubayi says Motau is casting aspersions on her and the department's work. She also says her department has not received any formal requests for the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry to be extended. Executive mayor of the Polokwane municipality, John Mpe says they are ready to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and provide any documents requested in the investigation into allegations of corruption within the municipality. Mpe says they have now employed qualified managers in accounting, to make sure there's no repeat of corruption.

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola says there's currently no confirmations around the circumstances of the death of South African ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, and that investigations are still underway. Lamola says the French authorities have been helpful and cooperative to both the SA mission in France as well as the Mthethwa family. On AGOA Lamola says the government is cautiously optimistic. He says this is based on conversations they have had with the relevant stakeholders including US Congress. Political and governance analyst Sandile Swana, says Corruption is in the dna of the ANC. Swana says young people need to rise up and change the system of governance in the country, like the youth of 1976, but he says, he's positive about the future of the country. Swana has labelled the ANC as a 'criminal syndicate' DA Gauteng health spokesperson, Jack Bloom says, the rot from the top and protection from politicians has made it easy for corruption to go undetected. "We need to see criminal prosecutions, especially the big fish." CEO of Agri SA Johann Kotzè says Agri SA share the government's sentiments of optimism about the AGOA prospects.