State of the Nation Address
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his 10th State of the Nation Address on Thursday. It was the second since the start of this administration's Government of National Unity.
While it was a calmer SONA the uMkhonto weSizwe Party has called it a R7 million talk show.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) demonstrated outside of the Cape Town City Hall before the speech.
READ: SONA promises vs reality: What has government delivered?
Ramaphosa announced that soldiers would be deployed to the Western Cape to deal with gang violence in the province. They will also be deployed in Gauteng to help dealt with illegal mining.
READ: SONA 2026 | Ramaphosa orders lifestyle audits for senior SAPS officials
Government committed to driving inclusive economic growth and job creation through the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP), with the goal of lifting economic growth above 3 percent.
The plan was positioned as the foundation for reducing poverty and improving living standards.
READ: Ramokgopa vows Eskom will eradicate load reductions within 12 months
Ramaphosa acknowledged widespread service delivery failures across municipalities, including deteriorating roads, unreliable water and electricity supply, uncollected refuse and sewage spills.
Government pledged to establish professionally managed, ring-fenced utilities for water and electricity services, review the municipal funding model and develop a new White Paper on Local Government.
READ: SONA 2026 | SANDF to support police in fight against illegal mining and gangs
Government announced plans to spend more than R940-billion on infrastructure over three years, including R375-billion by State-Owned Enterprises.
READ: SONA 2026: Ramaphosa urged to unveil bold plan to fix SA’s criminal justice crisis
It also committed to unlocking R100-billion in infrastructure financing through partnerships with local and international investors and improving public-private partnership frameworks.
Infrastructure investment was framed as a key driver of economic growth, job creation and improved service delivery.
READ: SONA 2026 | Ramaphosa says SA economy is stronger, but challenges remain
Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi has apologised for his tone-deaf remarks at a briefing about the lack of water in the province.
He told residents that he, too, faces water cuts and sometimes has to shower at hotels as he has not been spared.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said he also faces water shortages and is not special. “I had to go shower at a hotel…there is no special pipes.” @Sowetan1981 pic.twitter.com/u7ceYIVffE
— Koena Mashale (@Koena_xM) February 11, 2026
The comments caused a stir on social media with many calling on the Premier to read the room.
READ: Lesufi apologises after water crisis remarks spark social media backlash
Lesufi says it was never his intention to suggest that water shortages affect people differently based on their position in society.
He added that his hotel reference may have been misinterpreted.
READ: Majodina blames illegal mining for Gauteng’s water crisis
Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has pinned Gauteng's water issues to illegal mining.
Majodina says her department is engaging with the mining sector to develop solutions.
Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina says illegal mining is driving most of Gauteng’s water problems.
Majodina says her department is engaging with the mining sector to develop solutions.
READ: Frustrated Joburgers protest ongoing water crisis
This comes after residents protested in various parts of Johannesburg over the past two weeks.
Most residents are relying on water tankers. Meanwhile, Majodina says there is no need for a national disaster declaration on the water crisis. She says most reservoirs have stabilised.
READ: City of Joburg admits billing blunder amid water outages
South African Police Services members have been instructed not to participate in a memorial service drive for Wiandre Pretorius if they are on duty.
READ: SAPS officers barred from attending memorial for Wiandre Pretorius
Pretorius was a former SAPS reservices who died by suicide last Saturday in Brakpan. He was implicated by the late Witness D, Marius van der Merwe, at the Madlanga Commission in the murder of Emmanuel Mbense.
The 41-year-old is the fourth person to have died following Mbense's murder.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says the investigation is intensifying to prevent further deaths.
READ: Man implicated by Witness D at Madlanga survives hail of bullets
Pretorius previous survived a hail of bullets after he suggested that there was an alleged hit on his life in Boksburg.
Families of victims of apartheid-era crimes have described the actions of former Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma as disrespectful.
The two are taking legal action to compel TRC cases inquiry chairperson, Justice Sisi Khampepe to recuse herself.
There are also growing concerns that the commission may fail to meet its deadline due to a lack of cooperation from certain state institutions.
Although sworn enemies, Mbeki and Zuma are now aligned in their bid to have Justice Khampepe removed,.
READ: WATCH | Khampepe Inquiry resumes as Simelane testifies
However, families of apartheid-era victims strongly disapprove.
Meanwhile, the lack of cooperation from state institutions is concerning the commission's evidence leader.
After many delays. forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan appeared before Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee.
He initially wanted to testify virtually, citing fears for his safety. Serious allegations have been made about him at the inquiry, including that he interfered in police operations.
READ: LIVESTREAM | Paul O'Sullivan testifies before SAPS Ad Hoc Committee
His testimony got off to a rocky start over sections of his past he deems off-limits.
But committee chairperson, Soviet Lekganyane, insists he cannot limit MPs' questioning.
“So any allegations that have been made or any information that members of the committee want to probe with you, they are going to do so,” Lekganyane told O'Sullivan.
READ: ‘I didn’t take an oath to answer every question,’ says O’Sullivan
However, O'Sullivan saw things differently from the presiding officer. He also told MPs he would not answer questions on pre-1990 events.
READ: MPs slam O’Sullivan for refusing to answer questions on pre-1990 events
During the proceedings, O’Sullivan said for reasons of personal and family security, he will not engage in discussions concerning his family background, education, business interests in South Africa, or overseas prior to 1990.
READ: O'Sullivan threatens to withdraw from SAPS Ad Hoc Committee
O'Sullivan even threatened to withdraw from the Committee if he doesn't get to tell his full story. He told the Committee he had not agreed to take the stand to be interrogated on allegations made against him by criminals.
He claimed that "a pack of lies" had been peddled in Parliament multiple times by witnesses who belong in prison.
He also denied being friends with suspended Deputy National Commissioner of Crime Detection, Shadrack Sibiya.
READ: 'I was placed in a cell with rats and sewage' - Paul O'Sullivan on 2016 arrest
“I don’t know where he lives. I’ve never been to his house; I’ve never been to a restaurant for a meal with him. We've never had any dealings,” he said.
He said the only time he ever had a meal with Sibiya was at a braai in Bedfordview in December 2016.
Parliamentarians in the SAPS Ad Hoc Committee have until Thursday to submit written questions for President Cyril Ramaphosa.
READ: SAPS Ad Hoc Committee to submit written questions to Ramaphosa
The Ad Hoc Committee unanimously agreed that Ramaphosa will not give oral evidence, but instead, members will submit a list of written questions.
Suspended Ekurhuleni head of the legal unit, advocate Kemi Behari appeared before the Madlanga Commission on Tuesday. He has denied accusations of corruption, stating there is no evidence linking him to any wrongdoing.
READ: Ekurhuleni HR head implicated at Madlanga Commission suspended
Behari was placed on precautionary leave shortly before Human Resources Head, Linda Gxasheka was suspended.
Gxeshake was implicated at the Madlanga Commission by former employee relations head Xolani Nciza as of the people who failed to discipline for EMPD Deputy Chief, Julius Mkhwanazi.
READ: Behari rejects corruption allegations before Madlanga Commission
Behari insisted the allegations were part of a campaign to damage his reputation.
He addressed several incidents that formed the basis of the accusations, including a sexual harassment complaint against the Chief of Police, traffic fine irregularities involving the Deputy Chief, and the dismissal of the Division Head of Employee Relations for misconduct. He emphasized that none of these allegations directly implicated him in corruption or fraud.
He implicated Sbusiso 'DJ Sbu' Leope and his business partner, ANC leader Thembinkosi ‘TK’ Nciza were one of the key beneficiaries of the Ekurhuleni Municipality grants.
READ: DJ Sbu denies allegations after being named at Madlanga Commission
According to Behari, Leope and Nciza were implicated in an investigation related to more than R100-million grants.
Leope has denied the allegations and said that he will cooperate with any lawful evidence-based investigation.