Ramaphosa considers legal response after Phala Phala ruling
President Cyril Ramaphosa is considering his legal options after the Constitutional Court ruled that Parliament must revisit the impeachment process linked to the Phala Phala farm scandal. The judgment revives political pressure on Ramaphosa ahead of the end of his presidential term and reopens scrutiny over whether Parliament properly exercised oversight when it previously declined to proceed with impeachment. Opposition parties are pushing for renewed accountability, while Ramaphosa has pledged cooperation but appears to be weighing ways to limit the political and legal fallout.
Questions raised over school textbook reform process
A Daily Maverick investigation argues that the public is not seeing the full story behind a major Department of Basic Education textbook review process, described as a rare opportunity to improve classroom learning materials. The report examines tensions between educators, publishers, and officials over how textbooks are selected and approved, with critics warning that politics, procurement battles, and competing interests may undermine educational quality. The debate comes amid South Africa’s ongoing literacy crisis and broader concerns about the effectiveness of the education system.
Christo Wiese unlocks R1bn from Shoprite shares
Retail billionaire Christo Wiese has reportedly unlocked about R1 billion from his stake in Shoprite through a structured financial arrangement that preserves his voting power in the company. The move allows Wiese to raise liquidity without materially weakening his strategic influence over Africa’s largest supermarket group. Analysts view the transaction as part of ongoing estate and investment restructuring rather than a loss of confidence in Shoprite’s prospects.
COSATU targets Spar store over alleged racism claims
The trade union federation Congress of South African Trade Unions has intensified pressure on a SPAR supermarket in Bothaville following allegations of racial discrimination against workers. COSATU organised protests and demanded action from store management, including accountability measures and a public apology, arguing that the incident reflects broader workplace inequality issues still present in parts of South Africa’s retail sector. The dispute has drawn public attention on social media and could increase pressure on retailers to tighten labour and anti-discrimination oversight.
Trump rejects Iran peace proposal response
US President Donald Trump has dismissed Iran’s response to a US peace proposal as “totally unacceptable,” sharply escalating tensions and sending oil prices higher amid fears of prolonged instability around the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s counterproposal reportedly demanded sanctions relief, compensation, and greater control over regional shipping routes, while the US insisted the terms were unrealistic. The collapse in momentum toward a settlement has renewed concerns about disruption to global energy supplies and further military escalation in the Gulf region.
Sources: BusinessDay, Daily Maverick, News24, Netwerk24, Reuters