Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says the city of Johannesburg can regain its former glory through a collective approach to service delivery and a united effort to combat lawlessness. Lesufi has noted the existence of organised syndicates that are harming Gauteng's infrastructure. In his opening address to the Gauteng Provincial Executive, President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the challenges faced by municipalities in the province, particularly in the Johannesburg metropolitan area. Jeff Radebe, the Convener of the ANC KZN task team, has expressed a commitment to implementing proactive measures designed to enhance effective service delivery throughout Kwazulu-Natal. Radebe, along with coordinator Mike Mabuyakhulu, leads a team of new leaders after the ANC's national officials disbanded the previously elected provincial executive committee due to a disastrous electoral performance. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola says according to Section 231 of the Constitution, the foreign policy of the Republic, including its promotion and national interests, is the responsibility of the national executive, which is led by the President. Lamola was responding to the Democratic Alliance's visit to Washington, which they claimed was intended to stabilise diplomatic relations amid heightened tensions. He emphasised that they continue to engage with Washington to clarify South Africa's position.

ANCYL President Collen Malatji says Mbombela Municipality must take accountability for appointing its current league Treasurer General Zwelo Masilela, who was hired as a senior researcher in 2016 despite lacking a post-matric qualification. Malatji says Masilela could not decline the position because he was deployed. On Wednesday, Parliament conducted interviews for candidates applying for positions on the National Youth Development Agency board. During these interviews, EFF MP Sihle Lonzi questioned Masilela about how he was able to secure the role of senior researcher without the necessary qualifications. Minister Gwede Mantashe of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has raised concerns about the United States' growing efforts to access essential minerals. He says while the United States has cut back on its aid, the European Union is increasingly interested in forming partnerships with South Africa. Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi says he learned about PEPFAR funding cut through media reports. Organizations that depend on PEPFAR and receive grants from the United States Agency for International Development were recently notified in letters that their grants would no longer be effective. In response to the US government's decision to cut funding for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis response programs, the Department of Health is actively engaging with the affected NGOs this week to discuss the implications and explore potential solutions to continue supporting these crucial initiatives.

Pepfar-funded HIV organisations in South Africa, which receive funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), received letters overnight informing them that their grants had been terminated indefinitely. Pepfar, established in 2003, assists in the fight against AIDS in countries with high HIV infection rates, such as South Africa. Dr. Kate Rees, a Public Health Specialist at Anova Health Institute, says they have laid off over 3,000 individuals due to this President Cyril Ramaphosa has cautioned AfriForum against creating divisions within the country by seeking intervention from the United States government regarding South African policies. AfriForum, along with Solidariteit and the Solidarity Movement, met with representatives of the Trump administration in Washington to express concerns about the ANC's governance. AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel says they do not want to see South Africans punished, but rather the leadership of the ANC. South African Ambassador to the USA, Ebrahim Rasool, says he does not know how to facilitate AfriForum's objectives in the USA. He emphasised that the embassy's role is to listen to what AfriForum communicates and assess its impact. Regarding the termination of PEPFAR funding, Rasool mentioned that diplomats are now relying on the social media platform X to gauge the current sentiments of the US administration.

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.