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.

Al Jama-ah President, Ganief Hendricks says his party decided to withdraw the motion of no confidence against Johannesburg mayor, Dada Morero because they were impressed by the work done by the Joburg admistration in hosting a successful G20 summit, and that their decision was in the best interest of the public. Pressed for more, Hendricks then said it was a collective decision, taken, to plan for the upcoming election after looking at the current coalitions. Hendricks says there is a will to turn Johannesburg around. Member of the select committee on security and justice Nicholas Gotsell, says trust in the police is at an all-time low, whereas crime is high. Gotsell says thousands of SAPS firearms have either been stollen or missing. German ambassador to South Africa, Andreas Peschke says they believe that South Africa has a role to play in the G20 summit, especially as it is the only African country that is currently a member of the group. Peschke says there was a lot of support and admiration for South Africa during the G20 Summit in Johannesburg last week.