Political Analyst and Chairman of the South African Institute of International Affairs Moeletsi Mbeki argues that South Africa's excessively compensated public service significantly burdens the economy. He suggests that the government should consider reducing the costs associated with public service salaries. Mbeki's comments come in response to the proposed two-point increase in Value Added Tax, which has been cited as the reason for the postponement of the first budget speech under the Government of National Unity. Donald Trump's decision to cut aid to South Africa citing concerns over land reform policies that he claims negatively impact the white minority has raised worries about the future of the AGOA deal with the United States. Under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), South Africa benefits from tariff-free quotas on various agricultural exports, including wine, citrus fruits, soybeans, sugar cane, and beef. Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition Parks Tau emphasises the need for South Africa to expedite its engagement with the United States.

Gauteng Economic Development and Finance MEC Lebogang Maile says he has requested the Gauteng Liquor Board to temporarily suspend the operating licence of Zanzou nightclub whilst investigations continue. MKP leader Jacob Zuma's former aide, Isaac Leshona, has exposed glaring rifts among the party's leaders. In a striking public letter, he criticised Zuma's daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, labelling her as incompetent and warning that she could harm the party's future. He also described the party" 's secretary general Floyd Shivambu as arrogant. While the MK Party claims Leshona was dismissed nearly seven months ago and is no longer the private secretary to President Zuma, Leshona insists he is unaware of such termination. Newly appointed MK Party National Disciplinary Committee Chairperson Advocate Dali Mpofu says the party's MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla will be treated like any other member. Recently, an internal disciplinary process was initiated against her for insulting the party's Secretary-General, Floyd Shivambu. Mpofu says discipline is non-negotiable

The Democratic Alliance is challenging the Expropriation Act in court amidst an international outcry regarding the legislation. Helen Zille, the DA Federal Council Chairperson, has initiated court proceedings to contest the Act, emphasising that the DA has opposed the Bill since its introduction in 2018. South Africa's ambassador to the US faces a tough challenge as he seeks to mend strained relations between the two countries. Trump recently signed an executive order cutting off aid to South Africa and allowing Afrikaners the chance to resettle in the U.S. Trump claims Afrikaners face racial discrimination in the country. Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool says they have had no inquiries on refugee offer Chair of the UN Commission of Inquiry on the occupied Palestine territory Dr Navi Pillay says forced displacement of civilians from occupied territory is strictly prohibited under international law what consequences. This follows President Donald Trump's announcement that the United States would take over war-ravaged Gaza and create a "Riviera of the Middle East" after resettling Palestinians elsewhere.

Standing Committee on Defence Co-Chairperson Malusi Gigaba says the remains of soldiers who were killed in the eastern DRC will be repatriated on Wednesday, Gigaba also clarified that the deployment of South African troops is part of a Southern African Development Community agreement, not a bilateral deal with the DRC. He confirmed that SANDF troops are safe in camps and not captured, following M23 declaring a ceasefire in DRC Fourteen soldiers lost their lives last month in a conflict with M23 rebels. EFF's Secretary General, Marshall Dlamini, says the South African National Defence Force is not engaged in a peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Instead, he emphasised that the army was on an offensive mission aimed at defending the territory, as well as the mineral and business interests in the eastern region of the country. Afriforum CEO Kallie Kriel says it will write to the U.S. government requesting that President Donald Trump's proposed punitive measures against South Africa target senior ANC leaders instead of the country's residents. The organisation says it will also urge the South African government to amend the Expropriation Act to protect property rights and avert a potential crisis. This comes after the US president falsely claimed that land was being confiscated in the country, and threatened to cut aid to South Africa as a punitive measure.

Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs Olivier Nduhungirehe has reiterated President Paul Kagame's earlier warning that Rwanda is ready for confrontation if necessary. He says SANDF is at Rwanda's border, and while Rwanda does not seek aggression, it is prepared to defend itself if attacked. Nduhungirehe also mentioned that South Africa was invited into the Democratic Republic of the Congo by a government seeking to overthrow the Rwandan government. Minister of International Relations Ronals Lamola says there is clear evidence that Rwanda supports M23 . Lamola says South Africa wants a cessation of hostilities and their mandate is to support the government of DRC. Deputy Defence Minister Bantu Holomisa has attributed the declining condition of the South African National Defence Force to budget cuts, highlighting that the signs of this struggle have been evident for over a decade. On the escalating conflict in DRC, Holomisa says the department's priority is to return deceased & injured soldiers back home.

The Democratic Alliance says it will reconsider its participation in the GNU if it continues to be treated as a bystander by the ANC. The DA has been left disgruntled by the signing of the land expropriation bill into law. The party claims the Bill was signed into law despite a legal opinion from its minister Dean Macpherson. DA's federal executive member Karabo Khakhau says Retired SANDF Lieutenant General Maomela Motau says South Africa can assert its will on the M23 rebels. SANDF has confirmed that 13 South African soldiers have been killed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This includes three soldiers who lost their lives in a mortar attack by the M23 rebels on Monday. ActionSA Leader Herman Mashaba states that South Africa should withdraw from the DRC. The party has also expressed concerns regarding the spending of Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga on travel.

ANC NEC member Mzwandiile Masina has asserted that the Expropriation Bill signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa into Law serves the public interest and promotes land reform. Masina highlighted the ANC's goal of amending Section 25 of the constitution. Conversely, MK Party Chief Whip Mzwanele Manyi has criticized the Expropriation Bill as ineffective, pointing out that farms have still been returned to the people without this legislation. Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube says she is bound by her oath of office to move forward with implementing the BELA Act. Objections were previously raised regarding some controversial clauses of the Act- leading to delay in the act being fully implemented The MK Party has appointed new leaders in Mpumalanga with former Public Protector, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane at the helm. However, her predecessor, Mary Phadi insists she is still the party's leader in the province. Phadi took the party to court last year after her dismissal and won. Phadi says Mkhwebane is in contempt of court.

Minister of Defense and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga has reassured South Africans that, despite the numerous challenges faced by the South African National Defence Force, it can defend the country. Motshekga has also defended the appointment of Nontobeko Mafu as the Acting Director-General of the Department of Military Veterans. She says Mafu completed a bridging certificate, and her qualification is considered equivalent to a South African matric certificate. The uMkhonto weSizwe Party has announced that Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane is the party's legitimate leader in Mpumalanga. However, Mary Phadi claims to still be the rightful leader after the Mpumalanga High Court ruled in her favor following her dismissal from the party. The organisation believes Mkhwebane will help stabilise the party's presence in the province. Mkhwebane says work to build strong branches has started in the province