Only nine months after he had declared that he had eliminated Iran’s nuclear threat, President Donald Trump launched a fresh attack on the country, citing an “imminent nuclear threat”. Although the president denied it, the feeling was that he had been persuaded to go to war again by his ally, President Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel.

Just as the South African economy was beginning to show a few green shoots, the escalating war in Iran caused fuel prices to rocket and the world stock market to plunge, dashing hopes of a recovery if the conflict didn’t end quickly.

The oil price continued to rocket as Iran ramped up its strikes. In South Africa, the Rand crashed through the R17/$ as the oil shock hit the country’s economic outlook.

The Madlanga Commission adjourned for the Easter break after hearing evidence from 49 witnesses, with proceedings set to resume on April 7^th. Since its inception, the commission has heard gripping testimonies with witnesses presenting evidence that has sent shock-waves across the country, and exposed a deep-rooted network of collusion between law enforcement, politicians and the private sector. The Nkabinde Commission and the Parliamentary Committee have heard similar testimonies.

As a result of the ongoing Iran war, which President Trump originally promised would be over in a few weeks, oil prices continued to soar. The price of fuel went up yet again in South Africa.

South Africa’s water crisis was no longer restricted to isolated municipalities but reflected a broader pattern. Meanwhile, the ANC shrugged off a survey which showed it was losing support in the Moses Mabhida region.

Veteran negotiator Roelf Meyer will replace expelled ambassador Ibrahim Rasool as South African ambassador to the US. The appointment was seen as a sign that Pretoria is seeking to improve relations with Washington following a turbulent year.

EFF leader Julius Malema was sentenced to five years after being found guilty of possession of an illegal firearm and discharging it in public. He was later granted permission to appeal the sentence but not the conviction.

The SACP (South African Communist Party) faced a major, possibly permanent, split from the ANC after deciding to independently contest the 2026 elections, breaking a decades-old alliance.