HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOUTH AFRICA TODAY

Mon 19 January 2026:

Here’s what’s happening in *South Africa today:* 👇🏼

◼️ Ramaphosa approves R100,000 salary increase: President Ramaphosa has approved a 3.8% salary increase for South Africa’s top politicians, including ministers, deputy ministers and parliamentarians. The president’s salary is currently R3.35 million and will increase to R3.5 million is the commission’s recommendation is approved.
https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/848200/ramaphosa-approves-salary-increases-for-south-africas-millionaire-ministers-and-mps/

————-
◼️ 2021 riots in South Africa were a test: Mbeki said it was a lie that the unrest was about defending Zuma. Instead, it was a planned test by counter-revolutionaries to see if they could paralyse the state. “The story that is told about the mayhem in July 2021 is that the people were angry because the ANC allowed Jacob Zuma to be sentenced and sent to jail,” he said.
https://newsday.co.za/south-africa/15443/2021-riots-in-south-africa-were-a-test-to-see-if-the-state-could-be-paralysed/

————-
◼️ Support for total ban on alcohol use for drivers: “It has become clear that driving under the influence of alcohol has reached alarming levels, resulting in unnecessary loss of life. The committee and its predecessors may not have exercised sufficient rigour in their oversight role. The committee supports the consideration of a total ban of alcohol use by drivers,” committee chairperson, Donald Selamolela, said.
https://independentpress.cc/support-for-total-ban-on-alcohol-use-for-drivers/2026/01/19/

————-
◼️ Say goodbye to spam calls in SA: Offenders found to have contravened regulations are first issued an infringement notice, which is then escalated to an enforcement notice if they fail to comply. Failing to comply with an enforcement notice will result in the offender being fined up to R10 million or jailed.
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/smartphones/625404-say-goodbye-to-spam-calls-in-south-africa-3.html

————-
◼️ SANDF top brass under scrutiny: Defence expert Helmoed-Römer Heitman said South Africa had already presented itself as a friend or even ally of Iran and that was noted in the US, but also in Europe and the gulf region, “where Iran is regarded as a bully and has almost no friends”. Heitman said Iran is strategically and economically irrelevant to South Africa while the US, Europe and the countries of the gulf that detest Iran are economically important, or even vital to the country.
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/sandf-top-brass-under-scrutiny-amid-iran-naval-drill-controversy/

__________________________________________________________________________

FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:

WhatsApp CHANNEL
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22