Abra Barbier

Cape Town

Parliamentary Correspondent at South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)

Cape Town (Is ja! 👊🏼). Journalist. Have opinions. Have even more questions. Just looking for the story behind the story. Vatos Locos forever.

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Articles

I'm a minister until I'm told I'm no longer needed: MacPherson

2 weeks ago | sabcnews.com | Abra Barbier

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean MacPherson says he has a full week ahead as a member of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Cabinet. He was responding to a question about the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) future in the Government of National Unity (GNU) at a media briefing in Cape Town on Sunday. Macpherson says, as far as he is aware it is business as usual for him until the DA’s Federal Executive advises members otherwise.
Payment of whistleblowers in spotlight at G20 Anti-Corruption Meeting

1 month ago | sabcnews.com | Abra Barbier

Special Investigating Unit (SIU) Head, Adv. Andy Mothibi, says the remuneration of whistleblowers has been discussed at the G20 Anti-Corruption Work Group Technical Meeting. The gathering was held in Somerset West in the Western Cape. While South Africa has policies protecting whistleblowers and witnesses, legislation will be introduced to Parliament later this year, beefing up whistleblower protection.
Whistleblowers indispensable in SA’s fight against crime: Buthelezi

1 month ago | sabcnews.com | Abra Barbier

Whistleblowers in South Africa have been described as indispensable to the country’s fight against crime. This is because blowing the lid on corruption and crime could come at a huge cost. This is according to Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, Minister of Public Service and Administration, speaking at the G20 Anti-Corruption Working Group meeting in the Western Cape earlier this week. One of the key priorities of this G20 meeting was enhancing whistle-blower protection.
MPs highlight importance of mother tongue languages

1 month ago | sabcnews.com | Abra Barbier

Members of Parliament commemorated International Mother Tongue Day in the National Assembly this week. Many MPs touched on the importance of mother tongue languages, while others used the platform to highlight deficiencies in the education system relating to the language curriculum. Some political parties say South Africa’s language policies remain untransformed. MK party’s Wesley Douglas talks about no space given for Khoi and San Languages. His counterparts across party lines agreed with him.
Cabinet to have a special meeting on Monday, to finalize the budget

1 month ago | sabcnews.com | Abra Barbier

Cabinet and Treasury will have a special meeting on Monday to finalize the country’s budget. This follows the postponement of the Budget Speech, which was moved from the 19th of February, to the 12th of March. During the post Cabinet briefing held in Parliament today, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said Cabinet wanted to collectively address the country’s fiscal environment.
Hlophe's JSC ban case goes back to Western Cape High Court on Tuesday

1 month ago | sabcnews.com | Abra Barbier

The matter dealing with impeached Judge, who is now the Parliamentary leader of uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), Dr John Hlophe being barred from sitting on the Judicial Service Commission, is back in the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday. This time around, a final order on the matter is being sought by the applicants. Last year, an interim order was granted by this court, barring him from sitting on the JSC, the body responsible for interviewing candidates for judicial appointments.
National Assembly holds urgent debate on SANDF soldiers deaths in DRC

2 months ago | sabcnews.com | Abra Barbier

The National Assembly will hold an urgent debate tomorrow, on the deaths of the 14 SANDF members in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The special sitting has been called as a matter of national importance. The theme of the debate is “The recent casualties incurred by the South African National Defence Force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and their implications for the defence force.”All members of President Cyril Ramaphosas’s executive have been requested to attend the debate.
'Fallout between King Misizulu and Ingonyama Board at crisis point'

Jan 14, 2025 | sabcnews.com | Abra Barbier

Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Rural Development and Land Reform says it needs to tread very carefully, when dealing with the fallout between the Ingonyama Trust Board, and the AmaZulu King. This follows recent media reports about the suspension of the board members by the king. Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Mzwanele Nyhontso briefed the committee saying the situation has reached a crisis point.
'Cabinet appointments are the sole prerogative of the president'

Dec 5, 2024 | sabcnews.com | Abra Barbier

Cabinet has defended President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent reshuffle. On Tuesday night, Ramaphosa announced that Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi would take over Thembi Simelane’s Justice and Constitutional Development portfolio. Simelane is now in charge of Kubayi’s portfolio. There is widespread criticism of the Cabinet reshuffle.
Cabinet welcomes over R9 billion investment from Saudi Arabia

Dec 5, 2024 | sabcnews.com | Abra Barbier

Cabinet has welcomed Saudi Arabia’s announcement that it will invest over R9 billion in the construction of a platinum smelter and metals refinery in Limpopo. Various projects around the country, including those aimed at ensuring water security, were also raised during a post-cabinet briefing in Parliament yesterday.