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According to Mail & Guardian, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame issued a strong warning to South Africa, accusing President Cyril Ramaphosa and his government of distorting facts about the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). His statement came after 13 South African soldiers were killed while deployed as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), intensifying scrutiny on Pretoria’s military involvement. South African officials have blamed the violence on the M23 rebel group and the Rwandan Defence Force, while Rwanda dismisses SAMIDRC as a “belligerent force” supporting the Congolese government and working alongside the FDLR, a militia linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Kagame contradicted Ramaphosa’s statements, claiming South Africa had requested Rwanda’s logistical help rather than issuing any warnings. He asserted that if South Africa sought peace, Rwanda welcomed it, but if it preferred confrontation, Rwanda was prepared to respond. Meanwhile, Ramaphosa defended South Africa’s role in the DRC as part of a regional peacekeeping effort, calling for all parties to respect existing peace agreements and the DRC’s territorial integrity.

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order suspending foreign aid for 90 days, causing alarm among aid organizations, writes The South African. This decision has frozen vital health programs, particularly in South Africa, where millions rely on US-funded treatments for HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. Several South African health organizations are preparing to shut down, and the suspension affects PEPFAR, a major provider of HIV treatment. Clinics are already scaling back operations, and Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi is assessing the impact on affected institutions.

According to News24, DA leader John Steenhuisen plans to confront President Cyril Ramaphosa about tensions over the Expropriation Bill and the dynamics within the Government of National Unity (GNU). Steenhuisen emphasized the DA’s commitment to the GNU’s success but criticized the ANC for unilateral decision-making, accusing Ramaphosa of ignoring coalition partners. Invoking clause 19 of the GNU’s agreement, Steenhuisen declared a formal dispute over the lack of consultation on critical decisions. While voicing frustrations, he stressed the DA’s resolve to ensure the GNU works and warned against undermining economic stability and the Constitution.

The South African reports that the Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has reassured South Africans that there will not be a 36% electricity tariff hike later this year. Speaking at the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) lekgotla in Boksburg, he emphasized the need to reassess the country’s energy mix to reduce electricity production costs. High electricity prices remain a significant concern, with business leaders at the World Economic Forum (WEF) highlighting the negative impact on competitiveness. Ramokgopa acknowledged that the current exponential tariff increases are unsustainable. He expressed confidence that submissions made to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) will result in significantly lower increases, ensuring electricity remains more affordable in the future.

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No 36% Tariff Hike: Minister of Electricity, Dr. Ramokgopa, confirmed South Africans won’t face a 36% electricity tariff hike later this year. Source: The South African #news #tiktoksouthafrica

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According to Scrolla, the DA has called on the Msunduzi municipality to immediately end its R27-million sponsorship of Royal AM football club due to the team’s financial and legal troubles. This follows reports that the SA Revenue Service (Sars) has taken control of the club over unpaid taxes, with its president, Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize, reportedly owing R40 million. Adding to the controversy, the PSL has halted all Royal AM matches until the club provides an explanation. DA councillor Reggie Khanyile warned that continued support for the club, which is already under curatorship and facing possible insolvency, could damage the municipality’s reputation. He emphasized that the funds could be better used to address critical service delivery issues, such as improving water and electricity infrastructure, and to support youth through sports programs. The DA argues that the sponsorship has brought nothing but controversy and embarrassment to Msunduzi.

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“Should taxpayer money fund a football club in trouble? Here’s what the DA says. Source: Scrolla #news #RoyalAM #tiktoksouthafrica

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Gossip blogger Musa Khawula’s formal bail application has been postponed to 29 January by the Randburg Magistrates Court, The South African reports. Arrested in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, Khawula faces charges of crimen injuria and contempt of court for allegedly posting defamatory statements targeting businessman Zesimdumise Nxumalo in October 2024. The state initially opposed bail due to Khawula’s pending cases of murder and reckless driving. Despite this, the defence requested more time to prepare a comprehensive bail statement. Khawula remains in custody.

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Gossip blogger Musa Khawula’s bail hearing postponed to 29 January. Source: The South African #news #tiktoksouthafrica #musakhawula

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According to The South African, Elon Musk sparked controversy at an event celebrating Donald Trump’s inauguration by making a gesture some interpreted as a Nazi salute. Historians like Claire Aubin and Ruth Ben-Ghiat viewed it as a clear reference to Nazism, while others, including the Anti-Defamation League, dismissed it as an awkward moment of enthusiasm. Far-right figures praised the gesture, intensifying criticism from Democratic leaders. Musk has not directly addressed the incident, though some defended his actions, noting his Asperger’s diagnosis and tendency for social awkwardness. The debate continues to polarize opinions online.

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Elon Musk Controversy: At an event celebrating Trump’s inauguration, Musk made a gesture some labeled a Nazi salute. Source: The South African #news #tiktoksouthafrica #elonmusk

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According to News24, a 21-year-old man linked to the 2024 matric results leak was arrested by the Hawks for possessing an unlicensed shotgun during a raid at his Hillcrest home, where electronic devices were also seized. The investigation continues amid allegations that Edumarks, a company accused of selling results to students for R99.90, enabled early access using exam details. Social media discussions erupted over the breach, prompting Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube to reassure the public that the integrity of the results remains unaffected, as the backend data capturing and calculations were not compromised.

As a potential TikTok ban looms in the U.S., young Americans are turning to Xiaohongshu (also known as “RedNote”), a Chinese social media platform, for a similar experience, News24 reports. The app has surged to the top of U.S. app store charts, followed by Lemon8, another Chinese app owned by ByteDance. Known as “China’s Instagram,” Xiaohongshu has a female-heavy user base and focuses on shopping and live-stream e-commerce. While Chinese users have largely welcomed the influx of Americans, they remind them to follow strict platform rules, including avoiding sensitive topics like politics and adhering to China’s content guidelines. Experts believe the cultural and monetization differences, such as Xiaohongshu’s shopping-centric model, may make it difficult for TikTok creators to fully transition. The trend underscores the growing competition from Chinese tech platforms and highlights the stagnation of U.S. apps in attracting younger users.