JOHANNESBURG - The G20 Leaders' Summit takes place for the first time on African soil, tensions between Pretoria and Washington have escalated sharply as a diplomatic spat played out in public, alleged political fixer Brown Mogotsi admits to lying under oath at the Madlanga Commission and ANC's Malusi Gigaba steps aside from party duties after appearing in court.
These are the stories that made headlines this week.
G20 SUMMIT KICKS OFF IN SA
The G20 Leaders' Summit kicks off in South Africa this weekend. G20 countries account for approximately 85% of the global GDP. This year will be the first time the world leaders will meet on African soil.
SA-US TENSIONS ESCALATE
There is still uncertainty as to who will accept the G20 Presidency from South Africa at the end of the Summit. Washington says it will send an eight-member delegation led by its Charge d'Affaires in Pretoria but South Africa is demanding a much more senior US official.
MOGOTSI ADMITS TO LYING UNDER OATH
Alleged political fixer Brown Mogotsi’s testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry is under intense scrutiny after he admitted to lying. Mogotsi says lying is part and parcel of his underground work. The Madlanga Commission was pressing the self-proclaimed intelligence agent. Mogotsi's respect for the oath he took has now been called into question.
NKABINDE RETURNS TO AD HOC COMMITTEE
Senzo Mchunu's Chief of Staff, Cedrick Nkabinde, was allowed to proceed with his testimony when he returned to Parliament's SAPS Ad Hoc Committee this week. Nkabinde says he cannot understand why the national police commissioner is only now condemning the disbandment of the PKTT. He says Fannie Masemola had the opportunity to express his dissent during a meeting in March, but he never did.
GIGABA STEPS ASIDE
ANC NEC member and Member of Parliament Malusi Gigaba has voluntarily stepped aside from party duties after appearing in court. Gigaba is charged with corruption at Transnet when he was the Minister of Public Enterprises. The ANC says he has now acted according to its step-aside resolution. It emphasises that the policy is meant to protect the party's integrity while legal processes continue, and does not imply guilt. It adds that Gigaba’s move supports its renewal agenda and broader efforts to rebuild public trust. The party says it will allow internal and legal processes to run their course.