Did Geordin backstab John?
Party insiders have claimed that recently elected DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis reneged on a promise to former party boss John Steenhuisen to protect him in the agricultural ministry. The promise was purportedly made when Hill-Lewis became party leader. The allegations follow Hill-Lewis’s approaching President Cyril Ramaphosa to reshuffle the DA’s representatives in cabinet. Steenhuisen is to be effectively demoted to deputy minister of trade and industry. Several party insiders who spoke to the media contended that this amounted to a betrayal of Steenhuisen and the terms under which he had agreed not to contest the party election. Steenhuisen’s handling of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak has cost him the confidence of many in the farming community. Hill-Lewis said that the decision had been a difficult one but that it demonstrated to the public that “they can trust us to do what is right, not what is easy,”
Starmer increasingly likely to announce plans for resignation – reports
All eyes are on Downing Street this morning, with the expectation that Keir Starmer could say something about his future. Business Secretary Peter Kyle said yesterday that Starmer was reflecting on the “political realities”. Most speculation points to the likelihood of Andy Burnham, the newly elected Labour MP for Makerfield, becoming the next prime minister. He was the mayor of Greater Manchester for the past nine years, and has had a seat in Parliament before, representing Leigh from 2001 to 2017. He has twice run to be Labour leader, in 2010 and 2015, and lost both times. US President Donald Trump commented in a social media post that Starmer “will resign” having “failed badly” on immigration and energy.
“Roadmap” to final deal agreed in Iran-US talks – mediators
In a joint statement today, Qatar and Pakistan said that a “High Level Committee” had agreed to “a roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days” in the first round of negotiations between the US and Iran. The talks began in Switzerland yesterday. The memorandum of understanding signed last week includes a commitment to reach a final deal within 60 days, as well as an end to fighting on “all fronts”, including in Lebanon, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The mediators’ joint statement said that a “communication line” had been formed “to avoid incidents and miscommunication with the aim of safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz”.
Madlanga urges judges to act against ‘Stalingrad’ legal tactics
Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga says courts can curb the abuse of so-called “Stalingrad” litigation tactics by taking a firmer approach against unnecessary delays and procedural challenges. He argued that judges have the authority to prevent parties from using the legal system to postpone accountability and frustrate justice. His comments add to wider debate about improving court efficiency, protecting the credibility of the judiciary, and ensuring high-profile cases are resolved without excessive delays.
Zulu king calls for calm amid anti-migrant tensions
Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has appealed for restraint as tensions over migration and foreign nationals continue to rise in parts of South Africa. The king urged communities to avoid violence and allow authorities to deal with immigration matters through legal processes. His intervention comes as government and civil society leaders work to prevent social unrest while addressing public concerns over illegal migration and service pressures.
Anti-immigrant marches draw small crowds as SAPS remains alert
Anti-immigrant demonstrations in Cape Town attracted only small groups of protesters, but police remained on alert amid concerns over rising tensions around foreign nationals. Authorities said they were prepared to maintain order and prevent intimidation or violence, while government leaders continued urging communities to avoid vigilantism and allow immigration issues to be handled through legal channels. The protests reflect broader public frustration over migration, jobs, and service delivery, but also renewed concern about the risk of xenophobic incidents.
Oil-price hikes caused by the Iran war reportedly accelerate China’s shift from petrol, diesel
Analysts say the Iran conflict has accelerated China’s permanent shift away from fuels like petrol and diesel. The crisis has spurred electrification of China’s transport fleet, with registrations of fully electric vehicles accounting for almost 42% of the total in April. The International Energy Agency expects China’s average oil demand this year to go down by 360,000 barrels a day, the “first significant annual drop” since the oil crisis of the 1970s and early 1980s.
Right-wing candidate wins narrow victory in Colombia
Abelardo De La Espriella won yesterday’s presidential election, according to an initial count of just under 100% of ballots in the runoff poll, gaining 49.66% of the vote, with his rival, Senator Ivan Cepeda, trailing by about 250,000 votes at 48.70%. De La Espriella is seen as having won on his Donald Trump-endorsed promise of a crackdown on crime, and a stronger economy. Cepeda had pledged to maintain the policies of President Gustavo Petro, a former rebel and the country’s first leftist president, including state pension payments for the poor, a moratorium on new oil projects, and continued peace talks with armed groups. De La Espriella vowed to end talks with rebels and criminal groups while boosting the oil and gas sector, lowering taxes and reducing the size of the state by up to 40% – though he says he will preserve Petro’s 23% increase in the minimum wage, along with other popular social measures.
Sources: Bloomberg, BBC, News24, Reuters, Daily Maverick, Sunday Times