ACDP concerned by AG’s report on municipal audit outcomes

The ACDP notes with concern the recent 2022-23 consolidated general report on local government audit outcomes presented by Auditor General (AG) Tsakani Maluleke to Parliament. We find it extremely alarming that just 34 of the 257 municipalities in South Africa...

ACDP cautions against the abuse of the new two-pot retirement system

The ACDP cautions that withdrawals from the savings pot should only be made for emergencies. It should also be remembered that this withdrawal will be subject to tax and other administrative costs; resulting in one receiving less than what was applied for. Additionally, a withdrawal from the savings pot will reduce the final total amount available at retirement and may result in a reduced standard of living.

Decision to deny NERSA and SALGA’s leave to appeal is commendable

South Africa faces many challenges which includes having one of the highest unemployment rates in the world. Millions of South Africans are struggling to make ends meet and the ACDP, therefore, views the proposed electricity increase by Eskom, which has come in way above the inflation rate, to be unconscionable.

ACDP not surprised by Shivambu’s move to MK party

It has been rumoured over recent years that some tension and conflict exists between the leadership of the EFF, Mr Julius Malema and Mr Floyd Shivambu, as well as other members of the party who are not happy with the direction in which the party is going. With the resignation now of the EFF’s Deputy President, it would appear that there has been a degree of truth to these rumours.

Increased unemployment rate indicative of an economy in trouble

The scenario and statistics given by Stats SA paints an even bleaker picture particularly when one looks at the expanded unemployment rate, which rose to 42.6%. Worryingly, when one adds the discouraged, 3.2 million, and “other not economically active”, 13.1 million to the 8.4 million officially unemployed, the figure of 23.9 million jobless people is stark.

School transport must be safer says ACDP MPL

Gauteng Education must look into ways to make scholar transport safer. Do these vehicles have regular roadworthy checks? Do the drivers have advanced driving skills? Are the minibuses overloaded or not?

DIRCO is severely under-capacitated abroad

DIRCO is severely under-capacitated abroad

House Chairperson, The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation is concerned that most of DIRCO's 2026/27 budget allocation of R7.23 billion will be swallowed by inflation and exchange‑rate pressures, enabling neither new programmes nor...

Industrialisation is the foundation of sustainable economic growth

Industrialisation is the foundation of sustainable economic growth

House Chairperson, The ACDP asserts that this Budget Vote 39 of some R11.7 billion for DTIC must be evaluated against one central imperative: whether it is building a productive, industrialised, and globally competitive South African economy. The economic indices...

Much has changed since February’s Budget Speech

Much has changed since February’s Budget Speech

House Chairperson, the ACDP said after the Budget Speech that the ship of public finances was starting to move in the right direction. That was in February. Much has changed since then, particularly with the dramatic increase in the fuel price since the outbreak of...