ANC Treasurer General Dr. Gwen Ramokgopa says the ANC remains a strong movement, despite not performing well in last year's elections. She emphasised that the ANC will maintain its identity within the Government of National Unity (GNU). Ramokgopa mentioned that the party will use the January 8 Statement to reflect on the challenges they have faced, with the aim of improving their service to the people. Notably, in the May 2024 elections, the ANC fell below 50 percent of the national vote for the first time in 30 years. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has dismissed allegations made by ActionSA that their leader and Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, uses luxury vehicles equipped with blue lights. ActionSA accused Steenhuisen of enjoying the benefits of several high-end cars, including an Audi Q7, BMW X5, and Toyota Prado, all fitted with blue lights and signaling systems. DR Mbuyiseni Ndlozi is no longer a Member of Parliament. The EFF has confirmed his resignation from the House along with Yazini Tetyana, who served in the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature. The EFF says in a statement that Ndlozi however remains a party member. His resignation from Parliament follows months of speculation about a fall-out between him and EFF leader Julius Malema. Political analysts Asanda ngoasheng and Bongani Mahlangu unpacks what this means for the EFF going foward

Mining Affected Communities United in Action has approached the Constitutional Court in its fight for illegal miners occupying an abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein to be rescued. This comes after its previous legal bid at the Pretoria High Court failed. The organisation has now made an urgent application for direct access and leave to appeal directly to the apex court to compel the government to speed up the operation to bring illegal miners back to the surface. MACUA Executive Director Christopher Rutledge says the miners have now resorted to eating human flesh. The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has declared the City of Johannesburg's controversial VIP protection policy unconstitutional and invalid. In its current form, the policy allows for ten bodyguards for the mayor, eight for the speaker, and as many as five for other members of the mayoral committee and committee chairs. DA Johannesburg caucus leader Belinda Kayser-Echo-zo-njoku says the DA raised their concerns inside the council and cautioned that the policy violates the constitutional upper limits. The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has terminated contracts of people aged 55 years and older. The department said this was due to budget cuts and other related issues. The CWP is a government initiative that provides temporary employment for people of working age, while they search for permanent jobs. COGTA Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa says it is important to note that the decision to end contracts of CWP participants was not taken lightly, but it followed extensive discussions and assessments which entailed a thorough look at any available intervention that could have been adopted to avert this situation.

Airports Company South Africa has offered assurances on the state of readiness for the festive travel season after operational challenges led to delays last weekend. Passengers experienced delays at passport control processing points due to a system failure. This incident was preceded by flight delays and cancellations due to issues with the fuel bypass line earlier this month. National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Shamila Batohi says they have taken important steps to ensure the investigation and prosecution, in appropriate cases, of cases stemming from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. In recent years, the NPA has reopened and pursued priority cases and enhanced its internal capacity to ensure effective handling of these cases. A total of 137 cases have been registered for investigation; 21 matters finalised with a decision and 10 matters on the court roll.

There has been a significant amount of frustration in and around Johannesburg since Friday due to water shortages. The city's water infrastructure underwent maintenance over the past few days, carried out by Rand Water and Johannesburg Water. This 86-hour maintenance period left many residents without water for more than three days. Ntshavheni Mukwevho, the Managing Director of Johannesburg Water, stated that while the maintenance has been beneficial, 70% of the affected areas are still recovering. Mukwevho also mentioned that 111 water tankers have been dispatched across the city to assist residents. SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila says the reconfiguration of the Alliance will now proceed on their own terms. Mapaila says the 5th Special National Congress has decided to implement this plan without their Alliance partner, the ANC. Mapaila criticised some government advisors, describing their actions as economically misguided. Passengers at OR Tambo International Airport faced delays yesterday due to technical issues with the Biometric Movement Control System, causing extended immigration queues. Airports Company South Africa confirmed that the system's unresponsiveness led to longer waiting times. BMA Commissioner Dr. Michael Masiapato says the glitches have now been resolved.

The EFF's third national people's assembly is happening over the next three days in Nasrec, Johannesburg, with over 2,500 members expected to attend and elect new leadership. EFF North West Secretary Papiki Babuile confirmed that EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi was present today, despite reports that he had been barred from the conference. Advocate Shamila Batohi, the Head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), says the challenges the NPA faces in prosecuting state capture cases are worsened by limited access to evidence held by the Department of Justice. Batohi says the NPA may explore the possibility of using its subpoena powers to obtain the necessary evidence.

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.

Advocate Dali Mpofu is the latest politician to switch from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party. Mpofu believes that the MK Party represents the fastest and most direct path to the total liberation of Africans and emphasises that he is not motivated by a desire for positions. He stated that he attempted several times to arrange a meeting with Julius Malema, but those efforts were unsuccessful. Despite this, Mpofu has no regrets about his decision and insists that he did not join the MK Party for personal gain. ANC First Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane says the Government of National Unity is not reliant on the Democratic Alliance (DA). She reiterated that the GNU agreement is with ten parties and not only with the DA. Regarding spaza shops, Mokonyane insists that all spaza shops nationwide should be closed until they are properly legalized. This call for action comes in response to recent incidents where children lost their lives after consuming contaminated food from local spaza shops.

AfriForum's Kallie Kriel says that if the government doesn't accede to their demands on the BELA Act, they'll be left with no option but to head to the courts. Union Solidarity and Lobby Group AfriForum marched against clauses 4 and 5 of the BELA Act, stating that the act takes away the right of the school governing bodies to make important decisions about admissions and language. Water and Sanitation Minister, Pemmy Majodina has reiterated that the water crisis in Gauteng is self-inflicted. She says municipalities were warned as early as June to take care of the water infrastructure in the province. The world is closely watching as voters choose between Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Republican contender Donald Trump in one of the most fiercely contested US presidential elections in recent history. This as voting is currently under way in several states of the US. African Nations are among those watching closely as they wonder how the election outcome will impact the continent. SABC News Correspondent Sherwin Bryse-Pease is reporting live from Manhattan

The EFF Students Command Council has expelled one of its members, Kganki Mphahlele, for bringing disrepute to the organisation and its leaders. This decision comes after Mphahlele made critical comments about EFF leader Julius Malema on X. Mphahlele has stated that he will reluctantly accept the expulsion, as he believes this action is more about ideological differences and personal vendettas than anything else. Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Sihle Zikalala says the department plans to accelerate the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to create millions of job opportunities, highlighting its importance in poverty alleviation and skills development. Tensions within the Government of National Unity have escalated in recent weeks, particularly between the ANC and the DA. The primary point of contention concerns whether government decisions can be made unilaterally, as the DA claims the ANC is doing, or if these decisions require consensus. Roelf Meyer, a member of the Government of National Unity under President Nelson Mandela, says any party that chooses to leave the GNU will face consequences