VF Plus - Oos-Kaap / Eastern Cape

ANC’s contempt for America’s conditions to normalize relations begins to show serious consequences after a year

Dr Corne Mulder

The hourglass is running out for South Africa, which has ignored the five American conditions for normalizing relations between the two countries with contempt for a year.

These conditions were handed to the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) exactly a year ago during the party’s historic visit to Washington and the White House, to be conveyed to the South African government.

This was done, but it was disregarded. The ANC, which views South Africa’s foreign policy primarily as its own domain, proceeded as if the US’s request did not exist.

This has boomeranged. A week ago, America directly suspended its Pepfar medical funding to South Africa because of this. Yesterday, the US Ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell III, fired another warning shot across the bow with an X post that reads:

“The government of South Africa is rolling out the red carpet for Iran’s deputy minister of foreign affairs while its deputy president (Paul Mashatile) is in Beijing to strengthen ties between these countries. Pretoria says it is non-aligned, but we (the US) call it straight out: A choice. The people of South Africa deserve an honest conversation about who their government chooses to stand with.”

An Afrikaner delegation visited America in June 2025 to discuss, among other things, bilateral relations between the countries.

Meetings were held with senior officials from the White House, the Department of State, the Senate, the House of Representatives, agricultural organizations, and the Hudson Institute.

During the talks, the White House had five clear and fair conditions to restore relations with South Africa. These are:

1. Farm attacks must be classified as a priority crime, and more resources must be allocated to combat them.
2. The utterance “Kill the Boer” must be openly and unequivocally condemned.
3. No land expropriation may take place without fair market compensation.
4. American businesses must be exempted from BEE (Black Economic Epowerment) requirements, which are viewed as a trade barrier.
5. True non-alignment in international relations.

The recent withdrawal of about R8 billion in American Pepfar funding for health aid to South Africa is a direct result of South Africa’s refusal to take steps regarding these identified problem areas.

Washington has clearly not forgotten the conditions that were set, despite the ANC’s dismissive, “couldn’t-care-less” attitude in the likely hope that it might disappear over time or that it was just empty threats on the US’s part.

The reasons for the Pepfar decision were conveyed to stakeholders in the US Congress, where it was made clear that the action forms part of a general review of the relationship between the US and South Africa.

It was also emphasized that the cancellation of the funding should be seen as a strategic signal regarding the relations between the countries.

Like non-alignment in foreign relations, this concerns broader and general bilateral policy issues between the countries rather than isolated aspects thereof.

It is a pity that the ANC allowed this critical opportunity to restore ties to slip away, at the expense of all ordinary South Africans.

There can be no further dragging of feet on this matter, and the government will have to approach it with the necessary seriousness. America’s requirements will have to be placed back on the national agenda.

As far as the cancellation of the Pepfar funding is concerned, the ANC will have to accept responsibility for the suffering and loss of life that may result from the lack of vital medical assistance.

ANC’s contempt for America’s conditions to normalize relations begins to show serious consequences after a year | Freedom Front Plus The hourglass is running out for South Africa, which has ignored the five American conditions for normalizing relations between the two countries with

Dr Beyers Naudé Municipality’s budget fails residents

Riaan van Heerden
18-06-2026

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) cannot support the proposed 2026/27 budget and Integrated Development Plan (IDP) of the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality due to fundamental shortcomings that undermine the legitimacy of the process, jeopardise financial sustainability and are detrimental to residents.

The Municipality’s own mid-year reports and audit findings already reveal a pattern of financial mismanagement, irregular expenditure and poor record-keeping.

These deep-rooted problems are not addressed by the new budget or the IDP. So, the most pressing crises are ignored and the documents offer no credible plan for improvement.

The process is, furthermore, deeply flawed. There was no meaningful engagement with residents, while some towns and communities were not given any opportunity to make submissions. Consequently, the IDP does not reflect the people’s actual priorities. In addition, the requirements for notice periods and disclosing documentation were not complied with, raising serious questions about the lawfulness of the entire process.

At service-delivery level, important projects from previous IDPs show little or no progress.

Water meter replacements, sewerage systems, road repairs and waste management remain in a critical state. Residents in towns such as Willowmore, Steytlerville and Jansenville are still affected by frequent water outages and rapidly deteriorating infrastructure.

When it comes to financial management, funds are not used effectively and there is no clear plan for stabilising the Municipality’s position. Important supporting documentation and progress reports were also not disclosed to the public in time, further undermining transparency.

These municipal failures have serious implications for residents, including critical health risks (as hazardous asbestos roofs in Lotusville remain unaddressed), poor economic development and decaying basic infrastructure.

The budget and IDP do not serve the community’s interests and are not financially sustainable.

On 4 November, residents have the opportunity to vote for the Freedom Front Plus, which prioritises sustainable finances, lawful processes and service delivery.

Dr Beyers Naudé Municipality's budget fails residents | Freedom Front Plus The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) cannot support the proposed 2026/27 budget and Integrated Development Plan (IDP) of the Dr Beyers Naudé Local

Dr. Beyers Naudé-munisipaliteit se begroting laat inwoners in die steek

Riaan van Heerden
18-06-2026

Die VF Plus kan nie die voorgestelde 2026/27-begroting en geïntegreerde ontwikkelingsplan (GOP) van die Dr. Beyers Naudé-plaaslike munisipaliteit steun nie weens fundamentele tekortkominge wat die proses se legitimiteit ondermyn, finansiële volhoubaarheid in gevaar stel en inwoners direk benadeel.

Die munisipaliteit se eie midjaar-verslae en ouditbevindings wys reeds ’n patroon van finansiële wanbestuur, onreëlmatige uitgawes en swak rekordhouding.

Hierdie onderliggende probleme word nie in die nuwe begroting of GOP aangespreek nie. Die dokumente ignoreer die werklike krisisse en bied geen geloofwaardige plan vir verbetering nie.

Die proses ly verder onder ernstige tekortkominge. Inwoners is nie betekenisvol betrek nie en verskeie dorpe en gemeenskappe het geen geleentheid gekry om insette te lewer nie. Dit beteken die GOP weerspieël nie die gemeenskap se werklike prioriteite nie. Daarby is vereiste kennisgewingstydperke en dokumentbeskikbaarheid nie nagekom nie, wat vrae laat oor die hele proses se regmatigheid.

Op diensleweringsvlak toon belangrike projekte uit vorige GOP’s min of geen vordering nie.

Watermetervervanging, rioolstelsels, padherstel en afvalbestuur bly in ’n kritieke toestand. Inwoners in dorpe soos Willowmore, Steytlerville en Jansenville sukkel steeds met gereelde wateronderbrekings en infrastruktuur wat vinnig agteruitgaan.

Finansieel word fondse nie doelmatig aangewend nie en daar is geen duidelike plan om die munisipaliteit se posisie te stabiliseer nie. Belangrike ondersteunende verslae en vorderingsverslae is ook nie tydig aan die publiek beskikbaar gestel nie, wat deursigtigheid verder ondermyn.

Hierdie tekortkominge lei tot ernstige gevolge vir inwoners: Kritieke gesondheidsrisiko’s soos onopgeloste asbesdakke in Lotusville word geïgnoreer, ekonomiese ontwikkeling word afgeskeep en basiese infrastruktuur bly agteruitgaan.

Die begroting en GOP dien nie die gemeenskap se belange nie en is nie finansieel volhoubaar nie.

Op 4 November het inwoners die geleentheid om vir die VF Plus te stem wat volhoubare finansies, regmatige prosesse en dienslewering eerste stel.

https://www.vfplus.org.za/af/mediaverklarings/dr-beyers-naude-munisipaliteit-se-begroting-laat-inwoners-in-die-steek/

Expropriation without compensation used as a smokescreen for NMBM’s administrative failure

Bill Harington
18-06-2026

The radical decision by the ANC-led coalition government in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro (NMBM) to proceed with Phase two of the Kleinskool Housing Project opens the door to the expropriation of private land without compensation.

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) is unwaveringly opposed to this step, viewing it as nothing but a desperate attempt to cover up the Metro’s years of administrative failures.

It also appears to be political posturing, as pushing through a project shortly before the local government elections and issuing title deeds could be handy political instruments.

The crisis affecting the Kleinskool settlement, where thousands of households are currently occupying private land, is a direct consequence of the Metro’s own negligence.

Official documents prove that the Metro has been aware of the land ownership problem ever since the township establishment process began. Despite this, the ANC administration allowed the project to continue without resolving the land status.

The project has been dragging on since around 2010 due to poor planning. To this day, a comprehensive land audit has not been tabled to the Council.

The ANC coalition claims the owners are “untraceable”, but fails to provide a clear timeline or proof of a thorough deeds office investigation. Resorting to expropriation to rectify these mistakes is administrative dereliction.

In the Freedom Front Plus’s view, this plan violates legislation and infringes on property rights. The coalition is attempting to take legal shortcuts that could jeopardise private property rights across the Metro.

The Auditor-General (AG) has been criticising the Metro for poor record-keeping and irregular expenditure for years now. A hasty and unlawful expropriation process could expose the Metro to compensation claims amounting to millions and protracted litigation. And ultimately, taxpayers will pay the price.

The Freedom Front Plus demands that the officials who allowed this project to proceed without the necessary legal processes should be held accountable. The only sustainable solution is a comprehensive land audit, transparent negotiations with landowners, and a lawful process that protects the rights of both residents and owners.

The ANC-led coalition has proven that it prizes administrative disorder and political gain above legal certainty and the people’s interests.

On 4 November, NMBM residents have the opportunity to vote for the Freedom Front Plus, which stands for accountable government, transparency and the protection of private property.

https://www.vfplus.org.za/media-releases/expropriation-without-compensation-used-as-a-smokescreen-for-nmbms-administrative-failure/

Onteiening sonder vergoeding is rookskerm vir NMBM se administratiewe mislukking

Bill Harington

18-06-2026

Die ANC-geleide koalisieregering in die Nelson Mandelabaai-metro (NMBM) se radikale besluit om voort te gaan met fase twee van die Kleinskool-behuisingsprojek open die agterdeur vir die onteiening van private grond sonder vergoeding.

Die VF Plus staan hierdie stap onwrikbaar teen en beskou dit as niks minder nie as ’n poging om die metro se jarelange administratiewe mislukkings te verbloem.

Dit lyk ook na politieke bokspronge om so kort voor die plaaslike regeringsverkiesing ’n projek deur te druk wat die uitreiking van titelaktes as ’n politieke instrument kan laat dien.

Die krisis in die Kleinskool-nedersetting, waar duisende huishoudings nou op privaat grond sit, is die direkte gevolg van die metro se eie nalatigheid.

Amptelike dokumente bewys die metro was reeds tydens die dorpstigtingsproses bewus van die grondbesitprobleem. Ten spyte hiervan het die ANC-bestuur toegelaat dat die projek voortgaan sonder om die grondstatus op te los.

Die projek sloer al sedert omstreeks 2010 weens swak beplanning. Tot vandag toe is ’n volledige grondoudit nog nooit aan die raad voorgelê nie.

Die ANC-koalisie beweer die eienaars is “onopspoorbaar”, maar versuim om ’n duidelike tydlyn of bewys van ’n deeglike aktekantoor-ondersoek te lewer. Om nou na onteiening te gryp om hierdie foute reg te stel, is administratiewe argeloosheid.

Die VF Plus beskou hierdie plan as ’n oortreding van wetgewing en die skending van eiendomsreg. Die koalisie probeer wetlike kortpaaie neem wat privaat eiendomsreg regoor die metro bedreig.

Die ouditeur-generaal (OG) kap die metro reeds jare lank oor powere rekordhouding en onreëlmatige uitgawes. ’n Oorhaastige en onregmatige onteieningsproses gaan die metro blootstel aan miljoene rande se skadevergoedingseise en uitgerekte litigasie. Die belastingbetalers gaan die prys daarvoor betaal.

Die VF Plus eis dat die amptenare wat toegelaat het dat hierdie projek sonder die nodige regsprosesse voortgaan, aanspreeklik gehou word. Die enigste volhoubare oplossing is ’n volledige grondoudit, deursigtige onderhandelinge met grondeienaars en ’n regmatige proses wat sowel die inwoners as die eienaars se regte beskerm.

Die ANC-geleide koalisie het bewys dat dit administratiewe wanorde en politieke gewin bo regsekerheid en belastingbetalers se belange stel.

Op 4 November het die inwoners van die NMBM die geleentheid om vir die VF Plus te stem vir ʼn verantwoordbare regering, deursigtigheid en die beskerming van privaat eiendom.

Onteiening sonder vergoeding is rookskerm vir NMBM se administratiewe mislukking | Vryheidsfront Plus Die ANC-geleide koalisieregering in die Nelson Mandelabaai-metro (NMBM) se radikale besluit om voort te gaan met fase twee van die

New Minister of Agriculture: Freedom Front Plus keen for results

Dr Wynand Boshoff
17-06-2026
The news that the former DA leader, Mr John Steenhuisen, would be replaced as Minister of Agriculture did not come as a surprise.

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) wishes his successor, Mr Willie Aucamp, all the best.

Steenhuisen failed to successfully contain foot-and-mouth disease and to top it all his inner circle’s insensitive communication sparked public outrage. The situation had clearly become untenable. And now the question on everyone’s lips is to what extent things will improve.

Aucamp has a stronger agricultural background and previously served on this Department’s Portfolio Committee.

What ultimately sank Steenhuisen, however, was not primarily his lack of agricultural knowledge, but his inability to tame his Department’s centralising tendencies. When he was supposed to scale back the state’s role in favour of the private sector, he did the exact opposite under the guidance of senior officials.

If a minister supports his incompetent department in trying to retain sole control over a crisis, contradicting his own previous policy declarations, his fate is effectively sealed. This is the exact same test that Aucamp will now face.

The entire agricultural sector is holding its breath to see whether Minister Willie Aucamp will take control of his Department or whether he will be swallowed by it.

www.vfplus.org.za

Nuwe landbouminister: VF Plus hou dop vir resultate

Dr Wynand Boshoff

17-06-2026

Nuus dat die voormalige DA-leier, mnr. John Steenhuisen, eersdaags as minister van landbou vervang word, kon min mense verbaas het.

Die VF Plus wens daarmee ook sy opvolger, mnr. Willie Aucamp, sterkte toe.

Steenhuisen se onsuksesvolle poging om bek-en-klouseer die hoof te bied, is rampspoedig afgerond met onsensitiewe kommunikasie vanuit sy eie binnekring. Die situasie het ooglopend onhoudbaar geword. Die groot vraag is nou tot watter mate dit gaan verbeter.

Aucamp het ‘n sterker agtergrond in landbou en het tevore op die portefeuljekomitee van dié departement gedien.

Wat Steenhuisen egter gekelder het, was nie in die eerste plek sy gebrek aan landboukennis nie, maar sy onvermoë om sy departement se sentraliserende instinkte te tem. Toe hy die staat se rol moes verskraal ten gunste van die private sektor, het hy onder leiding van senior amptenare die teenoorgestelde gedoen.

As ‘n minister sy onbevoegde departement steun in hul poging om alleenbeheer oor ‘n ramp te behou, strydig met sy eie vorige beleidsuitsprake, is sy doppie as’t ware geklink. Dit is presies die toets wat nou vir Aucamp voorlê.

Die vraag waarvoor die hele landbousektor asem ophou, is dus of minister Willie Aucamp sy departement onder beheer gaan bring, of daardeur ingesluk gaan word.

Nuwe landbouminister: VF Plus hou dop vir resultate | Vryheidsfront Plus Nuus dat die voormalige DA-leier, mnr. John Steenhuisen, eersdaags as minister van landbou vervang word, kon min mense verbaas het. Die VF Plus wens