"I bring you my letter of credence as well as my letter of recall from my predecessor. Mr. President, before I arrived here, I cannot tell you how many people told me that, in short order, I'd fall in love with the country. It's only taken two months, and I can confirm that that has happened," he said.

Bozell said the United States and South Africa shared important values and interests, and pledged to build on mutual respect and cooperation. He also praised South Africa’s Constitution, telling Ramaphosa he hoped to take bilateral relations “to places they’ve never been before.”

"We are two nations with great shared values and interests. Perhaps not enough people understand this, but you, Excellency, were the primary author of your Constitution. You do understand that," he added.

South Africa has in the past month called in the new US ambassador, Leo Brent Bozell III, less than a month after he arrived in the country, after comments he made about the struggle song “Kill the Boer” sparked a diplomatic backlash.

In Lusaka, HIV advocate Dora Sakala described the row as a “wake-up call”, arguing that Zambia must stop exporting raw resources and start building local value chains. “We export [ copper ] in raw material, and then they sell it back to us at a higher price… But why can’t we do all this on our own?” she told Viory, calling for Zambia to generate more income domestically.

Political scientist Musiyani Sichone said the confrontation reflects intensifying great-power competition over Africa’s resource base. He argued that Zambia has become “a battleground between the West and the East”, with China already deeply embedded in the mining sector and the US now trying to regain ground, increasingly through deals that appear more transactional than before.

Reports earlier on Thursday quoted presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya as saying France acted after “sustained pressure” from the United States, including an alleged threat by Washington to boycott if South Africa attended.

Speaking to journalists later the same day, Ramaphosa contradicted that account. He said he had no information indicating any country, “the United States or any other country”, had leaned on France to rescind the invitation.

The president also sought to downplay the diplomatic significance of not being invited, noting that South Africa is not a member of the G7 and does not attend every year. Many countries are not invited to the forum, he said, and South Africa participates only when asked to present a message or engage on specific issues.

The conflicting statements have raised questions about what prompted the change in plans and whether the decision reflects shifting politics among G7 members.

However, Ramaphosa’s office has not provided a detailed explanation for why the invitation was withdrawn, beyond the president’s insistence that it was not the result of US pressure.

“There should be no panic in South Africa; panic kills,” Mantashe said, insisting that vessels carrying cargo for South Africa have not faced interruptions or threats while transiting the strait.

His comments came as MPs pressed the government on whether the country is prepared for sustained disruptions.

Mantashe acknowledged that while supply may still be flowing, South Africa cannot escape price pressures if global oil costs continue rising. With the next fuel price adjustment expected soon, he said motorists should brace for the possibility of higher pump prices driven by events beyond Pretoria’s control.

He argued that South Africa’s long-term protection against recurring oil shocks would require developing domestic petroleum resources. “The only way is to drill, drill, drill and produce our own petroleum,” he said.

Mantashe said, government will keep monitoring shipping and supply conditions while engaging partners, including through the BRICS bloc.

In an online survey published in a report titled “Tracking Iran-Israel-USA Conflict Firm-Level Impact in Zimbabwe,” CZI said the impact is widespread across the economy. Only 1% of firms surveyed said the conflict has had no effect on their operations.

Overall, CZI said 99% of firms reported that the conflict is affecting their businesses to varying degrees, with about 60% reporting a significant impact, 31% a moderate impact and 8% a slight impact.

CZI said the latest disruptions highlight how quickly geopolitical shocks can filter into Zimbabwe’s economy through higher energy prices and slower movement of goods, especially when global shipping routes come under strain.

He said the United States was not seeking anything that would run against Zambia’s laws or national interests.

The clarification follows claims circulating a proposed US$1 billion health-related arrangement, as Zambia’s copper and other minerals draw growing international attention amid global demand linked to industrial expansion and the energy transition.

Zambian officials have repeatedly said foreign partnerships, whether in mining, health or infrastructure, must support national development priorities and avoid deals that appear opaque or extractive, a point that has become more politically sensitive as the country heads deeper into an election season.

The US response, while focused on a specific claim, underscores how quickly narratives around resources and foreign assistance can trigger public concern in mineral-rich countries, particularly when strategic commodities are involved.

The scramble comes as Iran’s actions around the Strait of Hormuz, a major global oil and fuel shipping corridor, have rattled energy markets and forced buyers to diversify supply routes and suppliers. 

Dangote refinery officials said trading firms that buy its products have been shipping fuel across the continent, including to Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Tanzania and Togo this month, with Tanzania receiving its first arrival from the refinery, according to a company representative cited in the report. 

While demand for Dangote’s output is rising abroad, the refinery has also adjusted prices at home in response to swings in crude markets. Nigerian media and market reports have described multiple price moves this month as global oil prices surged and then shifted again amid war-related uncertainty. 

Dangote, Africa’s largest refinery, plans to expand capacity further in the coming years, and the latest round of inquiries highlights how the plant is increasingly being viewed as a regional backstop when traditional import routes are disrupted. 

That frustration is being driven by several flashpoints at once. They include US criticism of South Africa’s transformation policies, land reform, farm attacks, and Pretoria’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

For many South Africans, the problem is not just disagreement with the US. It is the sense that America is attempting to dictate domestic policy.

This perception has been sharpened by claims from Donald Trump that South Africa is enabling a “white genocide” through attacks on farmers. The South African government has rejected that claim, as have civil society groups and international observers. President Cyril Ramaphosa has said farm attacks are a serious crime problem, but not genocide.

The issue has become even more contentious because of Gaza .

South Africa’s case against Israel at the ICJ has placed Pretoria in direct conflict with Washington, one of Israel’s strongest allies. On 13 March, the US formally intervened in the case, arguing that Israel does not have the specific intent required to prove genocide under the Genocide Convention.

Washington also said civilian deaths in urban warfare do not by themselves prove genocidal intent.

That position has angered many in South Africa, who see a double standard.

Tensions have also grown because of recent remarks by US Ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell III. He reportedly expressed frustration over Pretoria’s failure to act on Washington’s so-called “five asks”, which include broad-based black economic empowerment, farm attacks, the ‘Kill the Boer’ song, land expropriation, critical minerals and digital transformation.

That language has been poorly received within the ANC, which sees it as a direct challenge to South Africa’s sovereignty and post-apartheid policy choices. ANC deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane criticised the ambassador for making “undiplomatic statements”.

For the ANC, the dispute may also bring political benefit. With the 2026 local government elections approaching, the party has an opportunity to present itself once again as a defender of national sovereignty in the face of outside pressure.

At the same time, Ramaphosa’s international investment adviser, Alistair Ruiters, has emerged as South Africa’s key channel to US officials, operating as a chief negotiator with Washington while based in Pretoria. Officials have indicated that part of Ruiters’ effectiveness comes from being located in the Presidency, allowing faster decision-making and giving US counterparts access to someone close to the highest office.

The vacancy follows a turbulent period in the relationship. Ramaphosa’s previous envoy to the second Trump administration, Ebrahim Rasool, was declared persona non grata and expelled after comments made during a public webinar. Soon after, Ramaphosa appointed former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas as special envoy, but the Trump administration reportedly denied him a diplomatic visa.

Government officials have told Daily Maverick that, in a shifting diplomatic scene, an unorthodox approach may work better, especially given what they describe as the Trump administration’s preference for unconventional channels. For now, South Africa appears to be relying on a mix of an acting head of mission in Washington and a Presidency-linked negotiator at home, rather than risking another high-profile ambassadorial standoff.

Meanwhile, the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) confirmed on March 11 that it had démarched Leo Brent Bozell III, less than a month after he arrived in the country, after comments he made about the struggle song “Kill the Boer” sparked a diplomatic backlash.  

The filing was made under Article 63 of the ICJ’s statute, which allows states that are parties to a treaty, in this case the 1948 Genocide Convention, to intervene when the court is interpreting that treaty, even if they are not a direct party to the dispute.

The ICJ’s case docket shows that Namibia, Hungary and Fiji also filed declarations of intervention on March 12, while the Netherlands and Iceland filed on March 11, widening international involvement in the long-running case.

South Africa launched the case in December 2023, accusing Israel of committing genocidal acts in Gaza in breach of the Genocide Convention. Israel has strongly denied the allegation.

The case is still at the written-arguments stage. South Africa filed its main memorial in October 2024, and Israel has received extensions for its counter-memorial, with the latest deadline set for March 12. Any final ruling is expected to take years.

The controversy has reignited debate over the chant after South Africa’s Constitutional Court ruled in March 2025 that the phrase does not amount to hate speech under South African law, following a case brought by AfriForum.

The Patriotic Alliance (PA) moved to back Bozell on the chant, even while rejecting claims of “white genocide.” In a statement after PA leader Gayton McKenzie met Bozell, the party said a chant calling for the killing of a specific group is “totally unacceptable” and “hate speech, pure and simple,” adding, “No historical context can justify repeating language that celebrates the killing of fellow citizens.”

But the ANC and EFF were among those who attacked Bozell’s intervention, arguing a foreign ambassador should not undermine South Africa’s institutions or weigh into domestic political disputes. Parliament’s justice committee chair Xola Nqola also supported Dirco’s rebuke, saying, “Contemptuous remarks regarding our judicial system undermine the rule of law that both South Africa and the US state they uphold.”

On the other side, the Freedom Front Plus (FF+) defended Bozell and said it agreed with what it described as US “ conditions ” for improved ties, including denouncing the chant and scrapping the Expropriation Act and BBBEE. Dirco said it would keep monitoring the ambassador’s public conduct, while the department’s director-general said Bozell had apologised and expressed regret, including for remarks that appeared to question the judiciary.

“My instructions are not to proceed with the bail applications,” Hodes said, adding that the pair intend to enter plea discussions with the state.

Hodes asked that the matter be transferred back to the regional court to facilitate the negotiations. The state confirmed the arrangement and requested a postponement. The case returns to court on March 17.

Mugabe and Matonhodze were arrested following a shooting at Mugabe’s home in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, on February 19, in which a 23-year-old gardener was seriously injured.

They face charges including attempted murder , possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, pointing a firearm, and defeating the ends of justice. Mugabe also faces a separate charge of being in South Africa illegally under the Immigration Act.

The move followed remarks Bozell made at a BizNews conference in Hermanus, where he was quoted as saying, “I am sorry, I don’t care what your courts say, it’s hate speech,” referring to the chant.  

In March 2025, South Africa’s Constitutional Court refused AfriForum leave to appeal earlier rulings and effectively upheld findings that the chant does not constitute hate speech under South African law . 

Dirco Minister Ronald Lamola said South Africa welcomes public engagement by foreign diplomats, but stressed it must be consistent with diplomatic etiquette and international protocols. He said the department called in Bozell to explain what it described as “undiplomatic remarks”, including comments that appeared to undermine the judiciary.  

Dirco Director-General Zane Dangor said Bozell expressed regret and apologised for the comments, adding this was the department’s second meeting with the ambassador since his arrival in February.  

Asked for comment, a US State Department official said Washington does not discuss private diplomatic conversations.  

In their letters, they said the issue is about accountability as much as history, “This is not only about the past…until the remains of our ancestors are accounted for and returned, the suffering continues,” the Guardian quotes.

The families say they were dismayed after the museum and Cambridge said in 2022 they had not identified any remains in their collections as belonging to the resistance fighters, an answer the descendants and some Zimbabwean officials say is hard to accept without deeper research.

Among those seeking answers is Chief Makoni, Cogen Simbayi Gwasira, a descendant of Chief Chingaira Makoni, who fought British settler forces and was later captured, executed and beheaded. “We are very aggrieved…for the dehumanisation that took place,” he said, adding that British institutions “should be honest and return those things that they took.”

The renewed push comes as wider scrutiny grows over the scale of human remains from Africa held in UK institutions. A Guardian investigation found at least 11,856 items of human remains from Africa across UK universities, museums and councils, with Cambridge and the Natural History Museum among the largest holders.

He stressed that South Africa is not subject to any US travel ban, and urged fans to rally behind the national team. “Bafana Bafana have qualified for the first time since 2002, and we want to see South Africans travelling to the Americas in their numbers to support our national team,” he said. “Football must unite people, not divide them even further.”

The comments come as the Trump administration has tightened entry rules for citizens of certain countries, citing national security concerns, fuelling debate about how such measures could affect travel for fans and teams ahead of the tournament.

They also follow broader diplomatic friction, including reports that President Donald Trump said South Africa would not be invited to the 2026 G20 summit in Miami.

The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11th to July 19th, 2026, co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.

Ramaphosa said South Africa stood ready to support international efforts to resolve global crises. “We are a global citizen and we therefore can play whatever role the UN would like us to play,” he said. “And if a gap opens or if we are asked, we always live up to obligations.”

Asked whether he would engage Trump, Ramaphosa said the US president was currently preoccupied by the conflict. “Donald Trump is very busy right now. He’s got a war on his hands, and obviously, if the opportunity were to open, we would talk and say there must be a ceasefire,” he said.

Ramaphosa also said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) was working to identify South Africans stranded in the Middle East as airspace closures disrupt travel.

“Dirco is on the ground, working a lot in trying to identify the number of people who are in the Middle East who require help, and we are going to make an effort to bring them back home,” he said. “It will definitely require periods when the airspaces are open for safe travel.”

His remarks come as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz continue to rise, with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards saying Iranian forces had “complete control” of the key shipping route for global oil and gas supplies. Trump said the US Navy was ready to escort oil tankers through the corridor, as several global shipping firms reroute cargo around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid risk.

The court produced two judgments with different reasoning. Justice Zukisa Tshiqi found section 27 unconstitutional, saying the DMA does not give the National Assembly a clear way to disapprove disaster regulations that can significantly affect rights.

But Justice Leona Theron’s second judgment overruled that view and dismissed the appeal, stressing that a state of disaster is fundamentally different from a state of emergency. “Under a national state of disaster, the state will still be required to justify each and every limitation of a constitutional right in section 36(1),” the judgment said .

“A declaration of a national state of disaster neither suspends the constitutional order nor dilutes it. A state of emergency allows the executive to cut across all laws and the Bill of Rights,” the court explained.

Theron’s judgment also said there is no constitutional requirement for the DMA to spell out special oversight mechanisms because parliamentary oversight is an “obligatory component” of the Constitution.

In a joint statement, the groups said they plan to launch an international petition urging the United States to appoint a special envoy “dedicated to engaging with the Afrikaner community and other cultural minorities in South Africa”.

They added that the petition would also ask the US “to recognise the pursuit of self-governance as a legitimate and peaceful solution”, and said it would be submitted to the US President and State Department once it reaches 100,000 signatures.

But South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said domestic issues should be handled through local institutions, rejecting what it described as external intervention.

“South Africa is a sovereign Republic, not a foreign protectorate. The Afrikaner identity is diverse and multi-ethnic, not a narrow racial group requiring foreign referees,” Dirco spokesperson Crispin Phiri told The Citizen . “We can solve South African challenges with South African hands, without a foreign crutch.”

Lex Libertas and the NYYRC also outlined further plans in Washington, including a public vigil on the National Mall featuring 3,000 white crosses to symbolise victims of farm attacks, and a request for the US Congress to hold a public hearing on South Africa and “structural policy solutions.”

In a statement issued on February 25, the ZRP highlighted the convictions as part of its anti-drug campaign and thanked the public for supporting law enforcement efforts.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that crime does not pay,” the police said, adding that the two former players were “arrested, convicted and sentenced… for dealing in dangerous drugs (dagga),” local news portal Pindula quotes .

Amidu previously played for CAPS United and South Africa ’s Kaizer Chiefs, while Mhlanga is a former Dynamos player.

In a welcome video released by the US embassy after his appointment was made official, Bozell said it was “an honour of a lifetime” to serve in South Africa and that he wants to build a partnership that “strengthens the ties between our peoples”.

“We face challenges, yes, and some are serious,” he said. “But strong relationships are built not on the weight of those challenges but on the power of shared purpose.”

At his US Senate confirmation hearing in October, Bozell said , amongst others, that he would press South Africa to end its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and objected to what he called Pretoria’s “geostrategic drift” toward US rivals, including Russia, China and Iran.

However, Bozell highlighted that “more than 500 American companies” are invested in South Africa and said he wants to work with South African leaders, innovators and communities to “turn possibility into progress”.

Vircoulon, who said his findings were based on testimonies from recruits and their families, described what he called a mix of public recruitment and a “discreet” form of coercion involving quick visa approvals arranged through groups posing as work-and-travel agencies.

“Once in the hands of the Russian army, they are sent for basic military training, then deployed to do the most dangerous work on the frontlines,” Vircoulon is quoted by the Citizen .

Gaudio alleged that some recruits were offered unskilled work and that “it has become a business” for recruiters in high-volume countries. He also accused Russian recruiters of manipulating visa extensions, claiming migrants were misled into signing documents before being handed military gear.

Inpact’s research, the speakers said, identified 1,417 African men allegedly recruited by Russia between 2023 and 2025, based on a list of African prisoners of war captured by Ukrainian forces. The recruits were reportedly aged 18 to 57, with an average age of 31. Inpact listed 32 South Africans, while Egypt and Cameroon had the largest numbers cited.

Vircoulon said the MK Party was among the South African actors mentioned in connection with recruitment, linking it to Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla. The party was contacted for comment, but did not respond by publication time, according to the organisers’ account.

Vircoulon argued the alleged tactics reflected rising costs and recruitment pressures for Russia . “Russian soldiers are more and more costly, and luring foreigners is a form of cheaper labour. It is about exploiting the migrants,” he said.

In November 2025, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla , the daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, resigned from Parliament after allegations that she helped lure 17 men to fight as mercenaries in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Her resignation followed a police announcement that she was under investigation over claims she had enticed South Africans to travel to Russia. The allegations emerged after a group of men aged 20 to 39 reportedly ended up on the front lines of the war in Ukraine.

“Whilst carbon trading has been under implementation in Zimbabwe over the past two decades, urban local authorities have largely not been participating owing to limited awareness and capacity,” she is quoted by the Herald Online .

Ndlovu said climate change impacts were worsening, making it urgent for government institutions to integrate climate action into planning and budgets. She cited the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), launched on November 27, 2025, which calls for mitigation and adaptation across sectors, including energy, transport, industry, waste, agriculture and disaster management.

“Our urban environs have vast potential to supply the global carbon market with high integrity carbon credits and in turn benefit us in terms of low carbon development, infrastructure improvement and enhanced revenue inflows,” she said.

She said potential projects include methane capture from engineered landfills to generate electricity, producing biochar from sewage for agriculture, and waste-to-energy initiatives.

Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Sleiman Kwidini told senators the clause had been “smuggled” into the bill. “The clause was smuggled in; it was not there originally,” Kwidini said during the debate.

The proposed amendment would have allowed abortions on request up to 20 weeks for adults and minors without parental consent, removed spousal notification requirements, and permitted a single medical practitioner to authorise the procedure.

Kwidini distanced the ministry from the provision, saying it was not part of the original draft presented in the Lower House. “When the Bill was introduced in the Lower House at First Reading, there was no Clause 11, it ended at Clause 10,” he said. “As the Ministry, we are saying Clause 11 cannot be part of this Bill.”

Most senators indicated they were unwilling to support the clause in its current form. The government suggested that if abortion law reforms are to be considered, they should be introduced under a separate bill.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), officers were called to the scene after neighbours reported hearing two to three gunshots.

SAPS spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed the arrest. “The police can confirm that the two men that were brought in for questioning in relation to a shooting that occurred earlier today at Hyde Park have been officially arrested and are expected to appear before Alexandra Magistrates’ Court soon on charges of attempted murder. Police investigations continue,” she said .

Police are investigating a case of attempted murder . Authorities said cartridges were found at the scene, but no firearm has yet been recovered.

Nevhuhulwi added, “According to information at hand, the victim is an employee at this residence and has been taken to hospital.”

Police sources said Mugabe allegedly locked himself inside the house for about two hours before officers were able to detain him and another individual for questioning. A multidisciplinary team, including K-9 units and forensic investigators, later returned to the property to continue searching for the weapon.

“The K9 unit, Bramley station detectives and Forensic Crime Scene Management are processing the scene,” Nevhuhulwi said.

Speaking to SABC, a man identifying himself as “Batista,” who said he is part of the family’s private security team, said he had received a call requesting assistance. He also expressed frustration after being denied entry to the Hyde Park property.

Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe is the third child of the late Robert Mugabe and his second wife, Grace Mugabe. Robert Mugabe ruled Zimbabwe from 1980 until he was removed from office in 2017.

One key driver of the expected bumper harvest is the increase in land under cultivation. According to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), farmers have planted more than 162,000 hectares this season, up 42 percent from about 114,000 hectares last year.

Industry officials say improved planning, stable policies and stronger contract farming arrangements have encouraged more growers to expand production. “The increase in planted area demonstrates renewed confidence by growers in the tobacco sector,” said TIMB chairperson Patrick Devenish.

Another major factor is the shift toward domestic financing. The government says 67 percent of tobacco funding now comes from local banks and financial institutions, compared to a heavier reliance on foreign contractors in the past.

Under cooperation models such as Zimbabwe-China partnerships, both smallholder and commercial farmers have gained better access to capital and inputs.

“Zimbabwe not only surpassed production targets, but also significantly increased the localisation of tobacco financing,” said Lands and Agriculture Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri.

Favourable rainfall has also helped, but farmers are increasingly relying on irrigation systems such as the locally developed Smart Pfumvudza model, which costs under $2,000 and allows earlier planting while reducing the risks of dry spells.

In addition, new drought-tolerant tobacco varieties developed by Kutsaga Research are boosting yields. Under proper farming practices, farmers can now achieve between 2,500 and 5,000 kg per hectare.

The country has already surpassed its 300 million kg target under the National Development Strategy and is now aiming for 400 million kg by 2028. Currently, only about 10 percent of tobacco is processed locally, though that is up from just 2 percent in previous years.

According to Statistics South Africa, net total employment rose by 21,000 in the final quarter of 2025 compared with the same period a year earlier. The biggest job gains were recorded in community and social services (46,000), construction (35,000) and finance (32,000).

Jobs declined in trade (98,000), manufacturing (61,000) and mining (5,000). A sharp loss of 293,000 informal jobs also kept overall unemployment high. Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke said many informal traders were removed from Johannesburg’s streets ahead of the G20 leaders’ summit in November, contributing to the decline.

Further, improved electricity supply and easing logistics bottlenecks have helped stabilise business conditions . Analysts expect inflation to moderate this year and next, with Morgan Stanley projecting possible interest rate cuts beginning next month and forecasting stronger growth in 2026. 

The International Monetary Fund estimates South Africa’s economy will expand by 1.4% this year, slightly up from 1.3% in 2025,  a modest improvement but still below levels needed to significantly reduce unemployment. An expanded definition of unemployment, which includes discouraged job seekers, edged down to 42.1%.

According to Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo, preliminary investigations indicate that the driver was attacked by a man and a woman during the trip. His hijacked vehicle and body were later discovered in Atteridgeville on the same day.

Arrest and investigation

Gauteng police have arrested a woman in connection with the case. She is expected to appear before the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on February 16, 2026, facing charges of murder and carjacking.

Police say investigations are ongoing and more arrests are expected.

Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni has assigned a senior detective to confirm details of the incident and ensure those responsible are brought to justice .

Video circulation

A dash cam video circulating on social media appears to show the assault inside the vehicle. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has strongly condemned the sharing of the footage.

“The police strongly condemn the circulation of the video that depicts what appears to be a gruesome murder of the victim,” said Masondo.

Authorities have urged the public not to share, forward or repost the video.

Satlat was reportedly preparing to graduate next month and had plans to relocate to Canada for further studies.

His death has sparked outrage, particularly among Nigerians, and revived concerns about the safety of foreign nationals working in South Africa’s gig economy .

In a statement, ActionSA said a “Nigerian suspect identified as being involved in drug trafficking” was shot during the operation. The party said drug syndicates had terrorised communities and vowed to continue supporting “decisive and lawful measures” to combat crime.

However, the Consulate General of Nigeria in Johannesburg strongly condemned the killing, describing it as deeply troubling and calling for justice .

“The unfortunate incident has raised questions over the safety of Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa,” the consulate said in a statement. It also warned against what it described as attempts to label Nigerians as criminals.

The consulate stressed that no one should take the law into their own hands and called for due process. “No matter what the allegations are, there are processes and steps to justice. All should be presumed innocent and granted a fair hearing in a court of law,” it said.

South African authorities have launched investigations into the incident. Nigerian officials said they had held meetings with local authorities and had been assured that those responsible would be brought to justice.

The shooting has revived painful memories of past xenophobic violence in South Africa, where foreign nationals, particularly from other African countries, have at times been targeted during unrest linked to crime, unemployment and social tensions.

Civil society groups have long warned that political rhetoric linking foreign nationals to crime can inflame tensions and deepen divisions in communities already struggling with poverty and insecurity.

ActionSA has defended its anti-crime stance, saying safety and law enforcement are central to its 10-point plan for Ekurhuleni, which includes targeting drug syndicates and strengthening policing efforts.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian consulate has urged its nationals to remain calm and law-abiding as investigations continue. It also extended condolences to Uzor’s family.

The index , which measures perceived levels of public sector corruption, is compiled using data from 13 different sources, including expert assessments and business surveys. The 2025 edition reflects evaluations conducted in 2024.

Presenting the findings in Antananarivo, Dominique Rakotomalala, board chair of Transparency International, Initiative Madagascar (TI-IM), said the country has been struggling with integrity issues for several years.

“The refounding of the State that we are supposed to be experiencing cannot become a reality without a resolute, coherent and sustainable fight against corruption,” he said.

Rakotomalala warned that corruption is more than a governance issue, describing it as a direct obstacle to development, social justice and public trust. He added that persistent corruption and its impact on living conditions could fuel public unrest.

TI-IM’s Executive Director, Mialisoa Randriamampianina, linked the decline in part to Madagascar’s weakening democracy indicators. She said the country’s score in the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) index has fallen by one point each year over the past three years, dragging down its overall CPI performance.

Transparency International said the latest results underline the importance of political integrity, media freedom and protection of civic space in the fight against corruption.

The South African government said the decision followed what it described as a “series of unacceptable violations of diplomatic norms and practice.”

Among the main concerns were claims that official Israeli social media platforms had been used to launch insulting attacks against President Cyril Ramaphosa. DIRCO said such actions represented a gross abuse of diplomatic privilege and undermined trust between the two countries.

The department also accused Israel of failing to inform South Africa about visits by senior Israeli officials, which it said violated established diplomatic protocol.

Breach of the Vienna Convention

South Africa argued that these actions amounted to a “fundamental breach” of the Vienna Convention, the international framework that governs diplomatic conduct and relations between states. “They have systematically undermined the trust and protocols essential for bilateral relations,” DIRCO said.

The government stressed that South Africa’s sovereignty and the dignity of its institutions are “inviolable.”

South Africa urged the Israeli government to ensure that future diplomatic engagement respects the Republic’s laws and international principles.

Israel has not yet publicly responded to the decision.

Investigators describe the case as one of the most complex financial crime probes they have handled, with about 95% of the work taking place behind desks rather than on the streets. At the centre of the operation was an elaborate scheme to move money stolen from victims in foreign countries.

Instead of transferring funds directly back to South Africa, investigators say the scammers routed transactions through hundreds, possibly thousands, of bank accounts across multiple jurisdictions.

The money would circulate through a web of accounts and front companies overseas, making it harder for authorities to trace its origins. Only after being filtered through this system would the funds return to South Africa, appearing “clean” and disconnected from the original crime.

Professional networks and front companies

Analysts spent years mapping company ownership, tracking banking flows and identifying connections between suspected scammers and professional intermediaries. Investigators looked at links involving accountants, lawyers, property purchases, luxury vehicles and international travel patterns, all used to disguise the profits of fraud.

The laundering process, sources say, relied heavily on legitimate-looking structures that helped integrate criminal proceeds into the formal economy .

Infiltrating the scam call centres

The case also involved covert intelligence operations. Operatives were deployed to infiltrate call centres allegedly used to run scams targeting people abroad. Once inside, investigators tracked individual agents, their movement through the organisation and their sudden lifestyle upgrades.

“Call centre agents would start with a medium-range saloon,” one source said. “Soon, an expensive SUV followed and top-tier swindlers were buying supercars worth millions.”

Authorities say the luxury spending was often accompanied by high-end property portfolios, champagne lifestyles and lavish displays of wealth. Investigators say the raids were only the final step in an extensive process that combined forensic accounting, cyber analysis and intelligence work over the years.

Instead of smuggling goods or running street operations, investigators say these networks depend on digital fraud, global banking loopholes and professional laundering systems.

The Western Cape has emerged as the centre of South Africa’s ongoing diphtheria outbreak, accounting for nearly three-quarters of confirmed cases and the majority of related deaths, according to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD). Of the 91 laboratory-confirmed cases recorded nationwide between January 2024 and January 18, 2026, 67 were reported in the province. The NICD said “the majority of confirmed cases and carriers (76%) are from the Western Cape,” with repeated clusters in households, communities and correctional facilities pointing to sustained transmission. Nineteen deaths have been recorded nationally, 12 of them in the Western Cape, giving an overall case fatality ratio of 21%. The NICD warned that diphtheria is “a highly contagious vaccine-preventable illness” that can be fatal if treatment is delayed.  

ANC sets up ‘war room’ ahead of municipal elections

The ANC has announced the creation of a dedicated “war room” to tackle persistent local government failures ahead of this year’s municipal elections, with water shortages and rural road infrastructure flagged as top priorities. Deputy President Paul Mashatile said the intervention would be led by Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula and focus on speeding up implementation across municipalities. “This is the year of decisive action to fix local government and ensure a viable economy,” Mashatile said , adding that water reticulation rather than dam capacity was at the heart of many shortages. The initiative follows internal party assessments pointing to weak policy implementation as a long-standing challenge.

Ramaphosa denies ANC is ‘selling the country’ to private sector

President Cyril Ramaphosa has pushed back against criticism within the ANC that the party has embraced neo-liberalism or is privatising state assets. Addressing the ANC National Executive Committee at its lekgotla, Ramaphosa said the government was “not privatising anything” but partnering with the private sector through concession-style agreements. “What we are doing is to bring in partners,” he said, citing roads, Eskom and Transnet as examples where private participation is structured on a “build, operate and transfer” basis, with assets ultimately returning to the state.  

Malema defiant ahead of sentencing in firearms case

EFF leader Julius Malema struck a defiant tone outside the East London Magistrate’s Court as his pre-sentencing hearing got underway following his conviction on firearms-related charges. “The revolution must continue,” Malema said, insisting that no prison sentence would make him retreat from his political beliefs. He accused AfriForum, which brought the private prosecution  of using the courts to fight political battles, saying, “I will never retreat, I will never surrender to white supremacy.” Malema added that he feared poverty and landlessness more than imprisonment, while also casting aspersions on the judiciary despite serving on the Judicial Service Commission.

Top jurists warn of strain on constitutional democracy

Prominent jurists Dennis Davis and Geoff Budlender SC have raised concerns about the long-term health of South Africa’s constitutional democracy, warning that persistent failures to realise socioeconomic rights are fuelling public disillusionment. Davis said inequality is now worse than at the adoption of the constitution, calling the government’s economic policy record since 1994 a “monumental failure”. Both jurists noted growing political pressure to amend or discard the constitution, with Davis warning that parties sceptical of the current constitutional order now command a significant share of the vote. While stressing that South Africa has not crossed into authoritarianism, they cautioned that the warning signs are mounting.

Russian officials see local-currency trade as a way to strengthen cooperation with Zambia in sectors such as mining, energy, agriculture and infrastructure, while lowering transaction costs and reducing demand for US dollars, Lusaka Times reports.

Supporters of the idea say settling trade in domestic currencies could ease pressure on Zambia’s foreign exchange reserves, especially during periods of limited dollar liquidity. 

However, economists and financial institutions have urged caution. They warn that local-currency trade requires strong financial systems, stable exchange-rate mechanisms and clear settlement frameworks to manage risks linked to currency fluctuations.

Zambia’s economy remains closely tied to dollar-based pricing, particularly because its main export, copper, is traded on global markets in US dollars. Government officials have said any move toward local-currency trade would be guided by economic prudence, regulatory readiness and consultations with banks and businesses.

South Africa’s presidency says President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered that Iran be asked to withdraw from the drills, but reports suggest Iranian ships remained in the area and were even shown as participating in parts of the exercise, the Citizen reports.

The situation has prompted questions about civilian control over the military after the Democratic Alliance (DA) called for an urgent parliamentary debate to clarify whether the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) ignored the president’s instruction. The DA says the apparent defiance, including a now-deleted SANDF statement listing Iranian vessels as active participants, undermines standard military accountability.

A Defence Minister Angie Motshekga says she communicated the president’s order and has appointed a board of inquiry to investigate whether it was ignored or misrepresented by defence officials. The investigation is expected to report back within a week of the drill’s end.

The presence of Iranian ships has also drawn criticism from the United States, whose embassy in Pretoria said reports that Iran participated in the exercises were of “concern and alarm,” warning that including Iranian forces described by some as a destabilising actor could undermine regional security and South Africa’s international reputation.

In Mozambique, authorities reported at least 103 fatalities since late last year as heavy rains inundated central and southern provinces, affecting more than 200,000 people and damaging thousands of homes. In neighbouring South Africa, floods have led to at least 30 deaths in the northern provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, prompting the deployment of army helicopters to rescue those stranded on rooftops and evacuate residents, tourists and workers from flooded areas.

Zimbabwe’s disaster management agency has reported around 70 deaths related to the flooding, with more than 1,000 homes destroyed and critical infrastructure such as roads and bridges badly damaged. The combined impact in the three nations illustrates the scale of the crisis and the strain on emergency services already stretched by evacuations and ongoing rescue efforts.

The region’s wet season has been unusually severe, with prolonged downpours saturating soils and swelling river systems, contributing to widespread flooding and power outages. Officials and aid agencies have urged residents to remain vigilant, moving to higher ground where possible and following evacuation orders as further rainfall is forecast.

The floods have also disrupted key economic sectors, including agriculture and tourism , underscoring the wider social and economic challenges that disasters like this can bring to communities and governments across southern Africa.

US officials say the equipment posed a direct national security risk because it relied on American-origin software and technical data, and was intended to strengthen China’s ability to track and counter US submarines in the Pacific.

What is TFASA?  

TFASA is a South Africa–based company founded in 2003 with support from the South African government to promote aviation cooperation with China. It specialises in military flight testing and pilot training, operating facilities in both South Africa and China.

According to its own website, TFASA has trained Chinese military pilots for both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft to North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) standards. US authorities allege the firm went further by recruiting former NATO pilots and transferring restricted operational knowledge to China’s military.

The Justice Department says TFASA “masquerades as a civilian flight-training academy” while acting as a conduit for transferring Western military expertise and technology to the PLA.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg insisted that “The National Security Division will continue to act decisively to preserve the U.S. military’s qualitative edge by preventing U.S. technology from falling into the hands of our adversaries."

What are the mission crew trainers?

The seized MCTs are mobile simulators designed to train air crews in complex missions, particularly anti-submarine warfare. Court documents say the trainers were modelled on the P-8 Poseidon, a Boeing-manufactured aircraft that serves as the US Navy’s primary maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare platform.

The trainers were built to run custom software developed by TFASA under a programme known internally as “Project Elgar.” The software was based on a flight simulation platform developed by a US company and enhanced using defence-related technical data tied to Western anti-submarine warfare aircraft, including the P-8.

US prosecutors say the goal of Project Elgar was to improve the PLA’s ability to locate and track US submarines operating in the Pacific , a core element of American naval strategy.

Why the US intervened

US officials say the transfer violated export control laws designed to prevent sensitive military technology from reaching adversaries.

“This seizure demonstrates the ongoing threat that China and its enablers pose to the national security of the United States,” said Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for the District of Columbia. Other officials warned that the alleged activities could endanger US service members by eroding America’s military advantage.

TFASA response

In a statement the TFASA said the containers cited were basic equipment. The statement read in part, “containers in question were basic mobile classroom units and did not comprise or represent any form of tactical simulators, advanced systems, or any classified, sensitive, or mission-specific, tailored military training capabilities; they were limited to non-sensitive, procedural and instructional use, using publicly available and commercially licensed inputs, and were designed as mission crew training (MCT) systems aimed at supporting crew resource management (CRM) functions within maritime patrol aviation environments.”  

The policy would impose a heavy tax on imports from nations with active trade ties to Iran, although the US government has not formally published the full details and legal framework of the measure.

Zimbabwe has signed 12 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with Iran covering key sectors such as agriculture, mining , pharmaceuticals, and tourism, and officials had hoped to boost bilateral trade substantially, from around US$30 million to US$500 million, through joint ventures and investment partnerships.

“The 25% tariff essentially acts as a massive transaction tax on any country maintaining these ties,” a Zimbabwean trade expert told the Zimbabwe Independent, warning that deals signed in late 2023 are now at risk.

For Zimbabwean companies, the tariff poses a new and difficult economic choice as to whether to continue pursuing trade goals with Iran and face higher costs imposed by the United States, or scale back ties to avoid potentially losing competitiveness in the US and global markets.

Under the new rules, any country trading with Tehran could see its goods face higher duties when entering the US market, even where those countries have limited or regional trade volumes with Iran.

Fake online stores offering heavily discounted products are one of the most common traps. These sites often look legitimate, complete with professional layouts and countdown sales, but disappear once payments are made. Shoppers may only realise they have been scammed when goods never arrive, or their bank accounts are compromised. 

In South Africa, Mongezi Mpahlwa, a partner at law firm Cox Yeats, says the country is already seeing a sharp rise in cyberattacks. South Africa recorded more than 2,300 formally reported data breaches between April 2024 and March 2025, averaging about 200 incidents a month. That number has since climbed, with nearly 2,000 breaches reported from April 2025 to date, close to 300 cases every month.

“These attackers know people are distracted, shopping quickly and sharing payment details more often,” Mpahlwa said. “That makes the festive season a perfect hunting ground,” the Citizen quotes.

Government departments, hospitals, banks, retailers and telecoms companies have all been hit by ransomware attacks, data theft and extortion schemes. In some cases, cybercriminals have stolen massive volumes of sensitive information or disrupted essential services.

The average data breach now costs South African businesses about $2.6 million, while consumers lost more than $53 million in 2023 alone to digital banking and mobile app fraud . Industry figures show total cyber-related losses can reach $175 million a year, with online banking fraud and associated losses rising steeply.

Mpahlwa recommended verifying emails and messages before clicking links, shopping only on trusted websites, avoiding public Wi-Fi for payments, and reporting suspicious activity immediately.

Several immigrants told local media that after being denied entry, they were later offered access to the same clinics through backdoor arrangements. In some cases, clinic staff allegedly shared private contact details, offering HIV medication, chronic drugs, baby immunisations and prenatal care in exchange for cash payments.

“As immigrants, we feel vulnerable, because clinic staff and Operation Dudula members are now taking advantage of our desperate need for chronic medication to make money. They should be stopped,” an immigrant is quoted by the Citizen .

Patients described being charged between R200 and R300 (approx. US$10 – 16) for antiretroviral drugs that are meant to be free. Others said they were allowed into clinics but deliberately left unattended, making them vulnerable to extortion by intermediaries who claimed to have connections inside.

South Africa’s health department says it is not aware of organised extortion but has condemned any such actions as illegal. “If this is true, it is un law ful, and we condemn it with the strongest terms it deserves. We request anyone with evidence to share it with the department or law enforcement agencies so they can swiftly investigate,” said Foster Mohale, spokesperson for the national health department.

According to the Home Affairs Department, many passengers arrived without return tickets, accommodation plans or verified departure records, and were told to bring only US dollars and personal essentials. Some were reportedly prevented from carrying luggage. Schreiber said this amounted not only to “systematic abuse” of visa rules but also exploitation of the travellers.

President Cyril Ramaphosa had earlier suggested the passengers had been “flushed out of Gaza ,” and intelligence agencies later confirmed that more charter flights were being planned. A Dubai-based broker had requested bulk quotes for additional flights, prompting the government to intervene.

Schreiber said South Africa “will not be complicit in any scheme to exploit or displace Palestinians,” adding that the visa requirement is meant to stop irregular relocation attempts while still allowing genuine travellers to apply normally.

The Palestinians who recently arrived will still have their cases processed. Those seeking asylum may apply, while those travelling under the old 90-day exemption will retain their status until their permitted stay ends.

Humanitarian group Gift of the Givers has provided temporary support for the travellers, many of whom declined to apply for asylum.

South Africa’s new visa rules take immediate effect, with authorities warning that any future attempts to misuse the system will be rejected.

Namibia and other southern African countries have built up large stockpiles of rhino horn due to decades of dehorning, a practice meant to deter poachers by safely removing horns, which later grow back. Namibia argued that selling these stockpiles could raise money for conservation and ease the financial pressure on both the government and private rhino owners, who spend heavily on security.

Why countries say no

Opponents warned that legal trade would encourage demand in Asian markets, making it easier for illegally obtained horn to enter the system. Conservation groups also pointed to declining rhino numbers; black rhinos, just 6,421 left in the wild; Southern white rhinos, 15,752, their lowest level in nearly 20 years. Namibia recorded a record 87 rhinos killed in 2022, and more than 8,000 have been poached across Africa in the last decade.

The international ban , in place since 1977, remains unchanged, and Namibia is expected to keep its horn stockpiles.

Judge Millar warned that Zuma’s repeated attempts to relitigate settled issues undermined the principle of equal justice. “It is destructive of the notion that all are equal before the law,” he said . Zuma has 60 days to repay the amount or risk having his presidential pension attached.

At almost the same time in Pietermaritzburg, Zuma appeared before the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in his long-running corruption case linked to the 1999 arms deal. He and French arms company Thales are seeking to have the charges struck off. Zuma’s lawyer, Advocate Dali Mpofu, argued that trial delays and the deaths of key witnesses had prejudiced his client, insisting that “they cannot be resurrected.”

The state, however, accused Zuma of once again using “Stalingrad” tactics, delaying the case through endless applications rather than confronting the charges.

Zuma also filed a recusal application related to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission inquiry, adding to the day’s legal battles.

According to court papers, the companies began formal proceedings on August 14, following multiple unsuccessful attempts to recover the outstanding funds . The ANC was formally served with the full court application on August 26 at its headquarters, Luthuli House.

Under South African legal procedure, the party had 10 days, until September 9, to file a notice of intention to defend the lawsuit. However, the applicants allege that the ANC failed to respond within the required timeframe. As a result, they are now seeking judgment under Rule 31(5) of the Uniform Rules of Court, which allows for a default judgment when a respondent does not oppose a claim.

The consortium is demanding R20,878,220.22, plus 11% interest from the date of default, scale C legal costs, and additional relief. While the ANC is said to have paid R50 million (approximately US$2,750,000) of the total contract, it allegedly failed to settle the remaining balance.

In an affidavit, Sisonke Consortium director Mxolisi Tyawa stated that the company fulfilled “all contracted services ” and that the dispute has dragged on for more than 18 months without resolution. “The fallout has now escalated into a full-blown legal confrontation, months ahead of the local government elections next year,” a source familiar with the matter told reporters.

ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri did not respond to requests for comment at the time of publication.

In October, the ANC withdrew a court application seeking to unfreeze its bank accounts attached over an R85 million (approximately US$4,675,000) debt to Ezulweni Investments after reaching a last-minute settlement.

“We have enough foreign currency reserves that will be able to cover the next three to six months. By 2030, all things being equal, we will have enough foreign currency reserves to transition to a mono-currency,” Matshe is quoted .

Zimbabwe has struggled for more than a decade to restore a functioning national currency after bouts of hyperinflation forced the government to abandon the Zimbabwe dollar in 2009.

The most recent attempt, the ZiG, short for Zimbabwe Gold, was launched in April 2024 and now accounts for roughly 40% of daily transactions. The currency has been buoyed by a sharp rise in global gold prices, with mining companies benefiting from a 48% rally this year.

The gold boom has also lifted activity on the dollar-denominated Victoria Falls Stock Exchange, where several gold-linked stocks have performed strongly. Analysts say the trend has helped stabilise domestic markets and reduce pressure on the foreign-exchange system.

Matshe said the country currently holds around US$1 billion in reserves, but expects to accumulate enough over the next three years to meet the minimum import-cover threshold required for a fully independent national currency.

Zimbabwe’s central bank believes stronger reserves, along with a more stable ZiG, will allow the government to gradually end the dual-currency system and reduce reliance on the US dollar.

The Minister further called on all South Africans to "continue showing the spirit of Ubuntu and hospitality that defines our nation" to make every visitor feel at home.

Minister of Tourism Patricia De Lille said, "South Africa is ready to welcome the world this festive season with open arms, warm smiles, and world-class experiences."

Below is the regional breakdown;

African markets recorded the fastest growth, with arrivals from land-based neighbouring countries rising by 26.7%, while air arrivals from the continent increased by 28%, driven largely by strong demand from the DRC (+58%), Nigeria (+42%) and Kenya (+27%). Tourism officials say improved airline connections and streamlined visa processes have played a key role in boosting regional travel.

Arrivals from Europe rose by 29%, with the UK (+35%) and Germany (+31%) contributing most to the gains. North America recorded a 22% increase, largely due to an increase from Canada (+47%) and steady growth from the United States (+18%).

Asia posted 11% growth, while arrivals from the Middle East increased by 58%, making it one of the fastest-growing markets. Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille said the broad-based growth indicated a “renewed confidence in South Africa as a destination” and stronger collaboration across the tourism sector.

Key tourist centres often visited by tourists include Cape Town’s Table Mountain, V&A Waterfront, Boulders Beach, Kruger National Park for safaris and Johannesburg’s historical museums.

October delivered 927,426 arrivals, a 32% jump compared to October 2024, making it one of the strongest months since before the pandemic. September also recorded a 26.9% increase, underscoring steady momentum.

Officials say the gains are the result of improved ease of travel, growing international air connectivity and new tourism products. De Lille also commended that the country’s 1.8 million tourism workers, calling them essential to the sector’s resilience and service quality.

“We are now in a period of sustained growth,” De Lille said. “South Africa is becoming more competitive, and visitors are responding.”

With the festive season approaching, the South African officials say the sector is preparing for what could be a record-breaking close to the year.

In correspondence shared by the party, Pillay wrote, “The Public Protector has considered your submissions and will proceed to investigate your allegations in connection with abuse of power and/or improper conduct.”

MK party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said the investigation was critical to “restoring credibility to the highest office,” adding that no president should be “placed above the law .”

The complaint draws on long-standing controversies surrounding Ramaphosa’s presidency, including the Phala Phala foreign currency scandal and what the party describes as the weakening of oversight institutions.

Ramaphosa has previously been cleared of separate ethics violations. In April, Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka dismissed a complaint lodged by opposition leader John Steenhuisen, who argued that the president blurred party-state lines at an ANC event.

The LHWP, launched in 1986, supplies South Africa with an average of 780 million cubic metres of water each year, helping meet demand in the water-stressed Gauteng region.

The project has also created major economic activity inside Lesotho. More than 10,000 jobs were generated in Phase IA, nearly 9,000 in Phase IB and 16,165 in the ongoing Phase II, with most positions filled by Basotho nationals. The scheme has supported skills training and youth employment initiatives.

A total of 695 households have been resettled across the first two phases, with 296 more earmarked for relocation under Phase II. Compensation payouts now total M628 million.

The operation was led by Sasol Petroleum Mozambique, Limitada, in partnership with the Mozambican government and the state-owned National Hydrocarbons Company (ENH) under a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).

The IPF, among the most advanced facilities of its kind in Africa, is designed to produce up to 30,000 tonnes of LPG per year. According to Sasol, this could reduce Mozambique’s LPG imports by approximately 70%, making gas supply more affordable, reliable, and locally available, as in countries like Nigeria , Algeria, and Egypt

“This is a significant step towards monetising natural gas within the country and creating greater value for the domestic market,” said Ovídio Rodolfo, Sasol’s managing director in Mozambique.

The LPG is sourced from natural gas reserves in the Inhassoro and Govuro fields and processed through advanced separation and treatment systems that ensure cleaner, safer fuel for household use.

On the African continent, Algeria remains the continent’s largest LPG producer , with over 8.1 million tonnes annually, accounting for more than half of Africa’s total output. Nigeria follows with about 1 million tonnes, despite facing logistical and infrastructural hurdles in domestic distribution. Egypt produces 1.9 million tonnes per year, supported by robust infrastructure.

“The peace deal… will have no bearing on the case that is before the International Court of Justice ,” he said. “Israel must respond to our pleadings by January next year. The court will then set a date for evidence to be presented,” he added.

South Africa launched the case in late 2023, accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention through its military operations in Gaza . According to Ramaphosa, accountability remains essential despite diplomatic progress.

“We cannot go forward without the healing that needs to take place,” he said, noting reports of over 67,000 deaths and widespread destruction in Gaza.

Ramaphosa welcomed the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners as a “confidence-building measure,” saying it should strengthen the ceasefire and open the door to renewed peace negotiations.

However, he insisted the ultimate goal must remain clear:

“Real peace means Palestine as an independent state, living side by side with Israel, both enjoying sovereignty and self-determination. That is what international law demands.”

So far, 20 living Hamas hostages have been exchanged for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners under phase one of the peace deal.