IPID spokesperson, Lizzy Shuping says a finding was made and there was a case to answer following an investigation into the behaviour of police officers in the Phaphala saga, including the head of the Presidential Protection Service, Major General Wally Rhoode. Following the investigation, IPID says it submitted a report to the SAPS with a recommendation for action to be taken againgst the officers, who's conduct was not in line with the standard operating procedures. Shuping says the report was classified to avoid prejudicing the investigation by the Hawks, of the same incident. DA leadership candidate, Jordan Hill-Lewis says his decision to take on the leadership race is an opportunity to do something good for the country. He also says he would like to bridge the gap between many South Africans who have not voted for the DA before and to prove to them that the DA is a party of good governance. Hill-Lewis says he will also aim to position the DA within the GNU. Newly elected deputy executice mayor of Johannesburg, Loyiso Masuku says the role of her position will be that of political oversight to strengthen governance and service delivery as well as holding officials accountable. Chairperson of the portfolio committee on higher education, Tebogo Letsie says the committee has asked the department to compile a list of foreign national academics employed across higher education institutions. This follows whistleblower accounts of foreign nationals supposedly employed without following proper verification processes and placed in non-critical skills positions. Letsie says if faults are found, consequences management will be implemented.

The state has rejected Dr Malusi Gigaba’s bid for legal assistance. Gigaba’s lawyer, Nicholas Kourie, says his client’s charges emanate from him discharging his duties as a Cabinet minister. Kourie says they are considering other options and may appeal the ruling but insists they are 100% ready for trial. Khadija Jamaloodien, the Chief Director for Health Product Procurement at the National Health Department, says it is not a legal requirement for the department to examine the financial records of companies. This follows two pharmaceutical companies, appointed to supply ARV medication, entering business rescue. Jamaloodien says the department had done business with the companies before. Maya Ungar, a UN analyst from the International Crisis Group, says there are concerns about the potential delegitimisation of the UN Security Council with Donald Trump’s Board of Peace. Trump presided over the first meeting of his Board of Peace today, where he announced a $17 billion pledge from the US and other countries towards a Gaza reconstruction fund. Thami Ngubane, a SALGA NEC member, says municipalities should not be held criminally responsible for failing to provide services. President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed that government has already lodged criminal complaints against 56 municipalities and may pursue municipal managers in their personal capacity for contravening the National Water Act. Ngubane says municipalities are owed billions by government and households, which limits their capacity to deliver their functions.

Former SA ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool says new US ambassador to South Africa, Brent Bozell III should have been a non-starter. Rasool says if South Africa couldn't convince Bozell's boss, Donald Trump about the lack of a genocide in the country, it won't be able to convince the messenger.

Presidential spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya has denied that president Cyril Ramaphosa is protecting some cabinet ministers who have been implicated in wrong-doing, including suspended police minister Senzo Mnchunu, who has been implicated in serious criminal misconduct by the Madlanga commission of Inquiry while serving as minister of police. Magwenya says the president has ordered a probe into allegations of corruption revealed by the commission. Acting minister of police, Firoz Cachalia says the mandate of the SAPS probe into Madlanga commission corruption will be to investigate 14 individals who have been implicated by the commission for criminal conduct. Cachalia says the commission has stated that there is prima facie findings against these individuals, which warrants further investigation. He further says that there are serious problems of criminal conduct and criminal capture within SAPS. North West Businesman, Brown Mogotsi says he has not yet received a subpoena to appear before the Ad hoc Committee. He says the level of security offered to him by parliament is not sufficient to safeaguard his life and also says he does not trust the state. Mogotsi is demanding that he should use his own security, who should be paid for by the state and be provided with petrol, accommodation and food when he appears before the Ad Hoc committee investigating police corruption.

The ANC in Johannesburg has denied allegations of vote rigging. Regional Spokesperson, Mantombi Nkosi says the party will not be replacing Dada Morero as the Joburg mayor following his defeat. The party says its happy about the positive outlook of the City of Johannesburg from ratings agencies. Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, Prof Somadoda Fikeni says it is clear that some requirements where flouted during the appointment of a 22-year-old social development chief-of- staff. Fikeni says reforms have been put in place to deal with issues such as this one. Spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Premier, Sonwabo Mbananga says the Eastern Cape government is concerned that Abathembu King, Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo did not follow proper channels in facilitating meetings with the Israeli embassy. The EC government says the engagements undermined the sovereignty of the country. Director-General at the Department of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nkosinathi Sishi says Damelin has failed to comply with 7 major issues including failure to supply auditors with student data, failure to submit SAQA reports and annual financial statements. Sishi says the department is concerned about the students and teachers employed by Damelin.

March and March's Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, says children of illegal foreigners are being prioritised for placement at Addington primary school in KZN, despite their lack of documents. Ngobese-Zuma says government needs to make provision for transport for children who are placed far from their places of residence. KZN Education Spokesperson, Mlu Mtshali has denied that Addington primary prioritises children of illegal foreigners, saying the school currently only has 5 undocumented foreign children. Mtshali has urged March and March and the community to air their grievances through the right channels like Parliament. He says Addington Primary school was chosen as a soft target. ActionSA president Herman Mashaba says the party is in support of their Ekurhuleni Mayoral candidate, Xolani Khumalo following his arrest on assault charges. Mashaba says Xolani is in possession of evidence that will clear him of the charges. He says international drug cartels and syndicates are behind Khumalo's arrest. On US president Dobald Trump's threats to impose 200% on French wine, The French ambassador to South Africa David Martinon, says France will not be influenced by intimidation and threats. Martinon says seven European countries have decided to send troops to Greenland in support of Denmark. He says France believes that Greenland is a sovereign state and it is not for sale.

* MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela says his party is calling for the Hawks to investigate, DA members John Steenhuisen and Willie Aucamp over lion bone trade. Claims for private and commercial use. Ndhlela says the allegations expose the shallowness of the party's posture of clean governance. * Public service and administration minister, Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi says there's a challenge of resources which hinders the process of lifestyle audits. Buthelezi says ministers will also undergo lifestyle audits in a separate process. * Venezuelan Journalist, Luis Carlos Diaz says the meeting between US president Donald Trump and opposition leader, Maria Machado will be a defining moment for the country's future.