HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOUTH AFRICA TODAY

Sat 17 January 2026:

Here’s what’s happening in South Africa today:

◼️ SA probes Iran’s role in BRICS+ naval drills: South Africa’s defence ministry has launched a probe into Iran’s participation in the BRICS+ naval exercises held near Cape Town this week, after reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa had asked Iran to withdraw to avoid antagonizing the United States. The inquiry will seek to determine whether Ramaphosa’s instructions were misrepresented and/or ignored, the defence ministry said in a statement on Friday.
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/south-africa-launches-inquiry-into-irans-participation-brics-naval-drills-2026-01-16/

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◼️ Changes to legal limit when drinking and driving: The bill also contained amendments to driving school regulations, licensing procedures, and traffic enforcement. However, despite parliamentary debate and consultations, the bill has not yet become law. A zero-tolerance alcohol policy for drivers would align South Africa with international best practices and remove confusion about what constitutes safe driving.
https://businesstech.co.za/news/motoring/847979/changes-to-legal-limit-when-drinking-and-driving-in-south-africa/

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◼️ Starlink would be a tool for white insurrection in SA: “He’s (Elon Musk) not fighting to bring the Starlink because he wants to step in and give us access to the network and all of that,” Malema said. “They’re coming to police us. They’re coming to create regime change. The white people realise they cannot take it through a ballot and they are now engaged in illegal, unconstitutional methods to destabilise this country.”
https://newsday.co.za/south-africa/15398/starlink-would-be-a-tool-for-white-insurrection-in-south-africa-julius-malema/

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◼️ Teenage pregnancy: “On New Year’s Day, over 160 teenagers gave birth across public health facilities, nearly double the number reported in the previous year. KwaZulu-Natal alone had multiple 15-year-olds giving birth during this period. Teenage pregnancy remains a serious public health and social challenge across South Africa.”
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/teenage-pregnancy-statutory-rape-is-a-serious-crime/

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◼️ Safety concerns rise as Bolt investigates robbery incident involving branded vehicle: The announcement comes after a video circulated on social media showing several men reportedly exiting the vehicle and allegedly robbing two women of their belongings before getting back into the car and driving off.
https://iol.co.za/business/2026-01-16-safety-concerns-rise-as-bolt-investigates-robbery-incident-involving-branded-vehicle

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