HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOUTH AFRICA TODAY

Sat 24 January 2026:

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

◼️ Why is South Africa upset about Iran joining BRICS naval drills? In a statement on January 15, the US embassy in South Africa accused the South African military of defying orders from its own government and said it was “cozying up to Iran”. “It is particularly unconscionable that South Africa welcomed Iranian security forces as they were shooting, jailing, and torturing Iranian citizens engaging in peaceful political activity South Africans fought so hard to gain for themselves,” the statement read. “South Africa can’t lecture the world on ‘justice’ while cozying up to Iran.”
https://independentpress.cc/explainer-why-is-south-africa-upset-about-iran-joining-brics-naval-drills/2026/01/24/

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◼️ Limpopo needs R1.7 billion to rebuild: The Limpopo department of public works, roads and infrastructure needs a staggering R1.7 billion to address the aftermath of the floods that left destroyed houses, roads, bridges, schools and public infrastructure and left 19 people dead in Limpopo since December.
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/limpopo-needs-r1-7-billion-to-rebuild-flood-damaged-roads/

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◼️ New rules for mobile data in SA: Customers must also be given the option to purchase additional bundles via USSD, push notifications, or any other appropriate communication channel. Licensees must give customers the option to opt in or out of out-of-bundle usage charges, and should they opt out, licensees must not permit any out-of-bundle usage.
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/cellular/626409-new-rules-for-mobile-data-in-south-africa.html

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◼️ AI-generated investment fraud: Financial institutions and companies across South Africa have raised growing concern about the rise of AI-enabled scams, which are becoming increasingly harder to detect as the technology improves. Deepfake scams often target trusted public figures, executives or celebrities to create a false sense of legitimacy and urgency, pressuring individuals into making quick financial decisions.
https://iol.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-01-24-nedbank-issues-urgent-scam-alert-over-ai-generated-investment-fraud/

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◼️ Nissan to sell SA plant: The move is part of Nissan’s ongoing turnaround plan under which it is closing or consolidating seven plants. The company declined to confirm the production capacity of the Rosslyn plant, which was set up more than 50 years ago. “External factors have had a well-known impact on the utilisation of the Rosslyn plant and its future viability within Nissan,” Nissan Africa president Jordi Vila said in the statement.
https://newsday.co.za/south-africa/15825/nissan-to-sell-south-africa-plant/

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