Jeff Radebe says that in appointing Mcebisi Jonas as the special envoy to the US, the President would have taken into consideration his experience in government and business. CAPRISA's Professor Naidoo says the withdrawal of funding by USAID will affect the funding of the NHI. She says CAPRISA partners with Columbia University and Harvard University, and the funding cuts to these two Universities will directly impact CAPRISA, especially research projects around HIV, female-controlled HIV technology, as well as clinical trials on the new HIV vaccine, as well as TB vaccine trials at Wits University. Gauteng Premier Panyaza says the crime-fighting agreement with SAPS and other stakeholders will tackle crimes such as Zamazamas, street lights vandalism, and crime in no-go areas such as illegal settlements, etc. using drone technology. Heists and crime syndicates as well as other organised crimes, will also be tackled.

Aubrey Sibanyoni, discusses the American perspective of President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs by 90 days for 75 countries but retaining the baseline 10%. Dr Lebohang Pheko and Dr Azar Jammine unpack the effects America's tariff hikes might have on Africa as trade partners

DA Federal Chairperson Helen Zille says DA have never been unfaithful to the GNU, says the ANC has gone behind the GNU's back to negotiate with other parties outside, says ANC must stick to the GNU rules. "We will make the ANC to stick to the rules that Fikile and I signed." BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane says there are other options outside of VAT increase. There are political parties are working together to find a solution and also focus on job Creation. Songezo Zibi it is possible to implement VAT as a temporary measure on the 1st of May. Mbazima Shilowa says Fikile Mbalula and the ANC misunderstood the GNU. He says the ANC is not ready to share power

Advocate Barry Madolo, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Eastern Cape, defends the NPA's prosecution of the Omotoso trial. Health Minister Dr Motsoaledi discusses the production regulations of cannabis and hemp products. Bongani Mahlangu, an independent economic analyst, unpacks newly imposed tariffs on South African exports.

The ANC has supported ActionSA proposal to amend the budget by removing the 0.5 percentage point increase in VAT and giving personal income taxes full relief for inflation. ActionSA Leader, Herman Mashaba, ANC Chief Whip, Mdumiseni Ntuli and DA MP, Dr. Mark Burke, discussed the latest on negotiations to pass the budget. The city of Johannesburg has been plagued by infrastructure challenges and an ongoing decline for well over a decade, giving officials a headache. The recent proposed name change of Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive, a Palestinian Freedom fighter, has divided the city. We spoke to City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor Dada Morero

Willie Aukamp, the Democratic Alliance National Spokesperson, says the chanting of the song “Kill the Boer” must be discontinued regardless of the court's ruling on its constitutionality. He says the chant is divisive and has no place in South Africa. Nqobile Mhlongo, the EFF’s Central Command Team member says people must continue to sing the song as the highest court in the country has ruled on the matter. She further accused the Democratic Alliance of fearing equality. MK Party Spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndlela, says the party remains solid despite reports of factionalism. He says there has been a complaint against one of the party leaders, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, but the party remains united.

Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo says Gauteng has too many cases but few judges to deal with the workload. RAF cases contribute significantly to the numbers clogging the trial roll Says'We are in the business of making sure that people have access to justice.' We will stop providing trial dates that are 18 months in the future. 'We engaged the Moseneke committee on the issue of the workload.' Mlambo says at least 20 more judges are needed in the province to meet the demand. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu says the brutality in the Soshanguve attack was brutal. Residents must not be deterred from standing up for their communities. Minister says counsellors are going to work with the police and the community in a much more intensified effort. He says: We are working hard to eliminate criminals from the police force. ActionSA National Chairperson Michael Beaumont says ordinary South Africans are tired of being taxed. "Government needs to take measures to curtail expenditure." Local government funding should be reviewed, and we need to see more funding for the NPA, says Beaumont. GNU looks incoherent and will not be able to tackle challenges in South Africa.

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.

Gauteng Economic Development and Finance MEC Lebogang Maile says he has requested the Gauteng Liquor Board to temporarily suspend the operating licence of Zanzou nightclub whilst investigations continue. MKP leader Jacob Zuma's former aide, Isaac Leshona, has exposed glaring rifts among the party's leaders. In a striking public letter, he criticised Zuma's daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, labelling her as incompetent and warning that she could harm the party's future. He also described the party" 's secretary general Floyd Shivambu as arrogant. While the MK Party claims Leshona was dismissed nearly seven months ago and is no longer the private secretary to President Zuma, Leshona insists he is unaware of such termination. Newly appointed MK Party National Disciplinary Committee Chairperson Advocate Dali Mpofu says the party's MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla will be treated like any other member. Recently, an internal disciplinary process was initiated against her for insulting the party's Secretary-General, Floyd Shivambu. Mpofu says discipline is non-negotiable