Speculation around the future of Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen is reaching a climax, with multiple party sources indicating he is set to announce that he will not seek a third term as leader. He is expected to address the media in Durban this morning on matters of national importance and public interest

Guest: Prof Joleen Steyn Kotze: Chief Research Specialist in the Developmental, Capable and Ethical State (DCES) research division of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). 

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has heard explosive testimony about a suspected firearms deal involving a Gauteng police officer and an alleged relative of the late former Deputy President David “DD” Mabuza, raising serious questions about access to weapons, political connections and corruption within law enforcement.  

Guest: Canny Maphanga: SABC Reporter 

South Africa’s prison system has reached crisis point, with overcrowding now exceeding 150% in most facilities, according to National Commissioner of Correctional Services Makgothi Thubakgale. With more than 170,000 inmates held over the festive season, authorities warn that infrastructure, staffing and security are under extreme strain, even as a major clampdown on contraband smuggling yields results.  

Guest: Makgothi Thobakgale: National Commissioner of Correctional Services  

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa

4 February 2026

1.    Libya- Zintan- Algeria 

Gaddafi’s son assassinated – media

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi was shot in his own garden, a family source has claimed

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of Libya’s former leader Muammar Gaddafi, has been assassinated, a source close to the family confirmed to RT on Tuesday.

He was killed by four people “who quickly fled the scene after shooting him in his garden,” a family source told Al Arabiya. According to several media reports, for the last several years, Gaddafi had been living in hiding in Libya.

2.    Ethiopia – USA 

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday denied claims by President Donald Trump that the country's new mega-dam was funded by the United States.

The $4-billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) straddles a tributary of the River Nile and will generate 5,150 megawatts of electricity, making it the largest dam in Africa by power capacity.

Egypt, a close ally of the US, which depends on the Nile for 97 per cent of its water, considers the dam an "existential threat".

3.    Madagascar – France – Russia

France plotting ‘political revenge’ in Africa – Russian intel

The French president has authorised plans to “eliminate” military leaders on the continent, according to Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service

France is planning “neocolonial coups” across Africa in an attempt to destabilise governments it deems “undesirable,” particularly in the Sahel, where it has suffered major losses in recent years, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has alleged.

In Madagascar, the intel report said France was trying to overthrow interim President Michael Randrianirina, who took office in October 2025 following the removal of former President Andry Rajoelina.

4.    In our historical archives, it was on this day, 4 February 1997, when the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa took effect after it was approved by the Constitutional Court (CC) on 4 December 1996.

The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. No other law or government action can supersede the provisions of the Constitution.

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter

• Pfizer bets on obesity drugs to fuel growth 

• 2. Nintendo warns of memory chip shortage
• 3. Market update

Russia has carried out its largest ballistic missile attack of the year against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, striking power plants and heating facilities during some of the coldest days of winter. President Volodymyr Zelensky says Moscow is deliberately escalating the war and using the cold as a weapon against civilians, calling on Ukraine’s allies to increase pressure on Russia. 

Guest: Roland Henwood: Political Scientist And Commentator from the University of Pretoria 

Manufacturing sector shows signs of life as PMI rebounds
2. Moody’s backs Nedbank’s expansion into Kenya
3. Market update

The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) has played a key advisory role in ensuring that proposed geographical name changes — including East London’s reported renaming to KuGompo City — are linguistically accurate, culturally appropriate and legally compliant, as government moves forward with a new wave of renaming initiatives. 

Guest: Dr Xolisa Tshongolo - Eastern Cape Senior Provincial Manager for the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) 

Opposition parties in the Cape Town City Council have strongly criticised the City’s plan to build a nine-kilometre security wall along the N2 highway, questioning both the intent and effectiveness of the R114 million N2 Edge Safety Project announced by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.  

Guest: Geordin Hill-Lewis: Cape Town Mayor

The second suspect in the murder of popular DJ and businessman Warrick Stock, known as DJ Warras, appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.  The case against the man accused of allegedly pulling the trigger was postponed until February 9 to allow the state to verify the address and country status of 25-year-old Armindo Joaquim Pacula.

Guest: Chriselda Lewis: SABC Reporter