Overview
- After two days of joint-sitting debate, President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver his reply at 2pm on Thursday at the Nieuwemeester Dome in Cape Town.
- EFF chief whip Nontando Nolutshungu said youth unemployment remains above 50% and argued the economy has not achieved sustained growth above 3% in any year under Ramaphosa.
- Ramaphosa’s plan to deploy the SANDF to support police against gang violence drew calls to fill SAPS vacancies and coordinate multi-agency operations, with Western Cape Premier Alan Winde citing a national decline from about 200,000 to 180,000 officers and limited gains from the 2019 deployment.
- Tensions within the Government of National Unity resurfaced as ANC minister Ronald Lamola challenged the DA to choose governing or opposition, even as the DA stays in the coalition after threats to withdraw.
- The National Assembly prepared to extend to 31 March the Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations tied to KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, while the EFF pledged further pressure through mass CV deliveries and insisted the Phala Phala matter remains unresolved.