Since the launch of Operation Vala Umgodi last December, over 50,000 illegal miners have been arrested in various provinces. The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA) urges the government to reopen abandoned and care-maintenance mines. President Mametlwe Sebei believes this could help address unemployment by rehabilitating old mines. Members of the All African Alliance Movement successfully challenged their expulsion in the Western Cape High Court, claiming Jacob Zuma, leader of the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party, sidelined them. On December 4, 2024, the court annulled their expulsion and reinstated them on candidate lists. MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela says the party is reviewing the judgment. Snuki Zikakala, President of the African National Congress Veterans League, has expressed concerns regarding President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent decision to redeploy Thembi Simelane to the Human Settlements Department following a cabinet reshuffle. Given the circumstances, Zikakala believes that a more appropriate course of action would have been to place Simelane on leave. He has indicated that the ANC Veterans League intends to request a meeting with President Ramaphosa to discuss their concerns further. Additionally, Zikakala emphasized the importance of addressing corruption, which he identifies as a significant issue facing the ANC.

Democratic Alliance Federal Council Chairperson, Helen Zille says they're calling on interested and affected parties to accept the outcome of the settlement negotiated at NEDLAC between the Presidency, the Department of Basic Education (DBE), and Solidarity, on behalf of teachers affiliated to the union. This will see the exclusion of clauses 4 and 5 of the BELA Act. The party says the agreement is both sensible and rational. Zille added that accepting this agreement would maintain peace. MK Party Mpumalanga Convener, Mary Phadi says allegations against her that were calling for her sacking were propaganda driven. This after Mpumalanga High Court in Mbombela reinstated Phadi in her position as the convener of the province. She says inaccuracies in the resignation letter that she was handed by advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane, is the straw that broke the Camel's back. The party expelled Phadi after she was accused of misappropriation of party funds

This afternoon, 17 illegal miners emerged from two shafts in Stilfontein, identified by police as being from Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. Lawyers for Human Rights has criticised the slow rescue efforts for those still underground in an abandoned shaft at the Buffelsfontein gold mine, nearly two weeks after a task force was formed. Mametlwe Sebei is an attorney at Lawyers for Human Rights The ANC Women's League will march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria tomorrow to deliver a memorandum to President Cyril Ramaphosa. Under the theme "United for Justice: Ending GBV and Femicide in Our Lifetime," the march is part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The League Secretary-General Nokuthula Nqaba says they want stricter no-bail measures, mandatory training for police and judicial officials, and increased funding for shelters and counseling centers. ESKOM Group Executive for Distribution, Monde Bala says the power utility has made significant progress in addressing the issue of non-paying customers, having reached out to 400,000 individuals as part of their efforts. The power utility says the introduction of a prepaid meter upgrade is a proactive step towards eliminating illegal electricity connections.

Has the opportunity passed for the National Assembly to hold the President accountable for the Phala-Phala farm saga? This question was a central theme during the EFF and ATM's efforts to bring the issue back to the Constitutional Court. The ATM argued in court that it was unreasonable for the ANC to wait for the completion of investigations concerning President Cyril Ramaphosa's conduct. ATM Leader Vuyo Zungula says the ANC abused its majority to protect Ramaphosa in Parliament. MK Party Leader Dr John Hlophe has written a memoir titled "Defying The Gallows," reflecting on his life and leadership. In the book, Hlophe describes his impeachment, which he considers unconstitutional, as one of the challenges he faced. Known for his brilliance as well as controversies, Hlophe's journey from the judiciary to politics is closely linked to former President Jacob Zuma, who made a surprising comeback in this year's election. Hlophe admits that at one point he considered joining the EFF but ultimately found his place in the MK Party. He asserts that the MK Party will endure beyond Zuma's influence.

Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa says government is considering whether to declare the incidents of foodborne illnesses a National Disaster. The rising cases have been classified as a national disaster. Since September this year, at least 890 incidents have been reported, claiming the lives of 22 people this year alone. The South African government has welcomed the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court. The Hague-based court issued warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. SAHRC has taken former DA MP Renaldo Gouws to the equality court for alleged hate speech. The SAHRC wants Gouws to apologise and pay damages for his use of the K-word. The uMkhonto we Sizwe party is turning 1 next month. MK party spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela reflects on the party’s first year of existence.

Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, has reassured entrepreneurs that his office will ensure municipalities fulfill the 21-day requirement for spaza shop registration. According to Maile, foreign nationals who possess a valid work permit will also be permitted to register their spaza shops. Former Police Minister Bheki Cele says the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy is in charge of keeping an eye on closed mines to stop illicit activities, the police are not responsible for this task. Cele says, those who have not yet come out of the Stilfontein mine are not stuck and do not plan to do so. According to him, the police's job is to uphold the law

The nation is divided on whether the human rights of the illegal miners who remain underground at Stilfontein mine in North West have been violated by the government. Bench Marks Foundation General Manager Busi Thabane says this is a humanitarian crisis. The South African Police Services has confirmed that it has stopped the process of providing food and water to illegal miners still underground at a mine shaft in Stilfontein in the North West. SAPS Spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe says no one is trapped underground and SAPS will not be negotiating with criminals KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has convened an urgent meeting with 54 municipalities to discuss spaza shops. At least 23 people have died countrywide since the start of October after buying food from spaza shops. In KwaZulu-Natal, three siblings from the Ndlovu family from uMzumbe on the South Coast, died from suspected food poisoning after eating a meal bought at a spaza shop. Ntuli says the provincial government is taking a zero tolerance approach to spaza shop owners who are selling counterfeit goods which put communities at risk. And The South African National Civic Organization in KwaZulu-Natal is cutting ties with the ANC in the province.

Communications Minister Solly Malatsi has withdrawn the SABC Bill, stating that after extensive consultations and public input, the current version does not benefit either the SABC or the South African public. The bill was initially introduced by former Minister Mondli Gungubele in 2023 as a replacement for the outdated Broadcasting Act of 1999. Gungubele criticized Malatsi’s decision to withdraw the SABC Bill as “illogical and counterproductive,” expressing concern that the minister may not have read the bill in its entirety. Former DA leader and GNU negotiator Tony Leon says all the ministers from the DA were appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa. He emphasises that no minister should attempt to implement their own party policies instead of those of the GNU. International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has announced that President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Ebrahim Rasool as the ambassador to the United States. Rasool previously held this position from 2010 to 2015. His appointment comes as the U.S. prepares for a new Republican administration following Donald Trump’s election victory.