Former President Jacob Zuma's recent meeting with Ajay Gupta in India has ignited controversy in South Africa, with the Forum for South Africa FOSA expressing strong concerns. FOSA stated that Zuma's trip suggests an abuse of privilege, harms the country's global standing, and weakens anti-corruption efforts. Zuma had previously indicated his intention to visit his "friend and brother" Ajay Gupta. International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola noted that Zuma's visit risks undermining official diplomatic processes. FOSA leader Tebogo Mashilompane highlighted that the visit raises questions about accountability, the misuse of former presidential privileges, and the damage to South Africa's international reputation. Mashilompane urged the government to clarify details of Zuma's trip, including funding sources, taxpayer involvement, the role of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation Dirco or diplomatic missions, and why a former president appears to receive official support while associating with individuals linked to state capture. Mashilompane emphasized that South Africa should not send mixed messages to the international community, as images of a former president with figures associated with state capture undermine public trust and national credibility. The role of South Africa's High Commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal, has also been questioned after his presence at a media briefing in India.
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The African National Congress ANC has defended President Cyril Ramaphosa's appointment of Dina Pule as the new Minister of Social Development, despite her past dismissal for corruption and maladministration during her tenure as Minister of Communications. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula stated that the party believes in second chances and that Pule has learned from her mistakes, emphasizing the ANC's support for her and the President's prerogative. However, the Democratic Alliance DA has expressed strong opposition to Pule's appointment, with DA spokesperson on Social Development Nazley Sharif asserting that Pule's track record of unethical conduct, including misleading Parliament and facilitating unlawful payments to her boyfriend, makes her unfit for the role. The DA has written to the Presidency demanding an immediate lifestyle audit for Pule upon her assumption of office to establish a baseline for her ministerial tenure and to protect taxpayer money. Sharif highlighted the critical responsibilities of the Social Development Ministry and argued that beneficiaries deserve a minister with impeccable credentials.
Eskom announced on Friday, July 3, 2026, that it has removed approximately 1.1 million customers from load reduction schedules, achieving 65% of its target under the Load Reduction Eradication Programme. This progress is attributed to the Generation Recovery Plan, which has improved generation availability, reduced unplanned outages, and enhanced operational reliability. Five provinces have already seen load reduction eliminated, with Eskom aiming for seven provinces by October 2026 and national eradication by 2027. Limpopo and Mpumalanga account for the largest share of customers freed from load reduction, followed by Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, North West, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, and Western Cape. South Africa has also recorded 413 consecutive days without national load shedding since May 16, 2025. Eskom clarified that load reduction continues in high-risk areas due to safety and infrastructure risks from illegal connections and meter tampering, rather than generation shortfalls. Meanwhile, various blocks in Gauteng will experience scheduled load reduction outages throughout the upcoming week, including areas in Ekangala, Moroka, Soweto Zola, Orange Farm, Vosloorus, Tsakane, Meadowlands West Zone 10, Ivory Park Ext 10, Mapetla, Diepkloof Zone 1, Etwatwa Ext 15, and others.
The ANC's election committee, chaired by Kgalema Motlanthe, has taken over the handling of disputes and appeals from aggrieved members in the Eastern Cape, bypassing the party's national dispute resolution committee NDRC. Motlanthe issued revised instructions, directing all disputes and appeals to be lodged directly with his committee within 48 hours. The reason for this change was not provided, but it is understood that some ANC branches in the Eastern Cape distrust the NDRC and provincial structures to handle the process fairly. This intervention follows previous issues where disputes were lodged with the provincial list committee, and provincial dispute resolution structures were perceived as compromised. The Motlanthe committee was responsible for drafting ANC guidelines for various party meetings and conferences. Tensions in the Eastern Cape have been fueled by recent court battles where grassroots structures successfully challenged unprocedural and unconstitutional processes, including the hurried appointment of the ANC provincial task team. Members are concerned about a repeat of the 2021 local election candidate disputes, where legitimately nominated candidates were allegedly replaced by politically connected individuals. Aggrieved branches in the Eastern Cape are planning a protest to demand an end to provincial interference in branch activities, manipulation of meetings and nominations, and the disbanding of elected branches. They also seek the reinstatement of the