Phil Craig, the leader of the Cape Independence Advocacy Group says the Presidency, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, and the Western Cape Premier have 7 days to make representation to call a referendum on Cape Independence. Pallo Jordan, the former ANC Foreign Relations Committee Chair and Veteran says it’s a radical act to expel ambassador. Dr Faith Mabera, the postdoctoral research fellow at Wits University says talks in Qatar were significant.

Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile says eTolls have placed a huge burden on Gauteng's budget. Maile further says that 230 000 people come to Gauteng yearly placing a strain on the province's resources. He says that the province plans to standardise the prices of medicine and hospital equipment to curb spending on health. North West MEC for education Viola Motsomi says her official trip to the Special Olympics in Italy did not go to tender because it cost R900 000. She says that she had missed the HRC inquiry on scholar transport as she did not receive an invitation from the HRC. Motsomi maintains that she would have prioritised the commission had she had an invitation. Wits International Relations Professor John Stremlau says Donald Trump does not represent all of America but was voted by a plurality of 1% over former Vice President of America Kamala Harris. Prof Stremlau says it would be better for SA not to replace Ebrahim Rasool any time soon because it is impossible to deal with the Trump administration given its prejudices against South Africa.

Professor Kula Theletsane, Director of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs, says SADC's withdrawal of troops does not mean it is withdrawing completely from the DRC but will continue to assist the DRC in diplomatic relations. Theletsane says this does not translate to failure. Deputy Minister of Defence & Military Veterans Bantu Holomisa says conflict cannot be solved by military means only. He says parallel structures must be put in place to run concurrently to address the main problem. Holomisa added that the United Nations must bring the AU and SADC leaders together and negotiate a settlement that will not necessitate military intervention. Democratic Alliance national spokesperson Karabo Khakhau has accused the African National Congress of being the modern-day oppressor of poor South Africans, describing its proposal to increase value-added tax as a form of oppression. The DA, along with other parties such as the EFF, MK Party, and the ATM, say they will not support the budget's passage. ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula says the DA had promised to back the 0.5 percent increase only if the ANC reviewed the labour laws, as well as the recently passed Basic Education Law Amendment Act and the Expropriation Act.

Zuko Godlimpi, the Head of the Economic Transformation Committee of the ANC, says cabinet has had sufficient time to prepare the budget, which is expected to be presented on Wednesday. He says the budget will include a tax review framework that is not focused solely on VAT. Godlimpi has also confirmed that the budget for tomorrow has been finalised and agreed upon. Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube says 93% of pit toilets have been eliminated in the effort to meet the deadline of March 31. Over 3,000 sanitation projects have been completed under the Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) initiative. However, thousands of children still depend on these unsafe facilities. Gwarube noted that the work to eradicate pit toilets began with her predecessor, Angie Motshekga. The EFF, MK Party, and DA have united in opposition to any tax increases. DA Federal Executive member Willie Aucamp says Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is expected to present his 2025 budget without issues. However, the DA will not support an increase in VAT. Aucamp has also emphasised that the SRD grant should not be taken away from the people.

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.