HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOUTH AFRICA TODAY

Tue 03 February 2026:

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

◼️ SA in the Epstein files: One set of emails contained in the released files refers to travel to South Africa, including Cape Town, in the context of international model scouting. The exchanges form part of broader communications around modelling agencies and talent placement, which appear frequently in Epstein-related records due to his long-documented involvement in elite social and modelling circles.
https://iol.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-02-03-south-africa-in-the-epstein-files-frequency-and-context-explained/

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◼️ Police recover guns, ammunition in national crime takedowns: During the nationwide Shanela II operations, police also arrested 14 589 suspects for crimes including murder, rape, sexual assault, robbery, drug offences, and illegal mining between 26 January and 01 February 2026. Communities are urged to continue reporting criminal activity to their nearest police station, through Crime Stop (08600 10111) or the MySAPS App.
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/crime/police-score-big-recover-guns-ammunition-national-crime-takedowns/

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◼️ GNU parties divided on removal of Israel’s top diplomat: The African National Congress (ANC), whose deployee, Minister Ronald Lamola, is in charge of the department, celebrated the move. However, co-governing partners, the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Freedom Front Plus (VF+), condemned it, calling it “reckless escalation” and “detrimental conduct.” Additionally, spokesperson for the Patriotic Alliance (PA), Steve Motale, told Newsday that the PA is against the decision.
https://newsday.co.za/south-africa/16542/gnu-parties-divided-on-removal-of-israels-top-diplomat-in-south-africa/

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◼️ Trump threatens to sue Trevor Noah: “I can’t speak for Bill, but I have never been to Epstein Island, nor anywhere close, and until tonight’s false and defamatory statement, have never been accused of being there, not even by the Fake News Media. “Noah, a total loser, better get his facts straight, and get them straight fast.” He added: “Get ready Noah, I’m going to have some fun with you!”
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c98p02yg4jro

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◼️ Digital rand coin launched by top South African financial service providers: They describe ZARU as an institutional-grade stablecoin pegged to the South African Rand, which the companies collaborated on. “ZARU is designed to modernise payment and financial infrastructure, enabling both retail and institutional users to transact at the speed of the Internet while bolstering the local financial system,” they stated.
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/cryptocurrency/627568-digital-rand-coin-launched-by-top-south-african-financial-service-providers.html

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