The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and  Rwanda have agreed on an economic framework outline as part of peace deal. This includes energy and supply chains for minerals  national parks and public health among other agreements. 
Rwanda and the DRC affirmed that each country has "full, sovereign control" over the exploitation, processing and export of its natural resources. For more we spoke to Senior Research Fellow and Director at Africa Asia Dialogues Thembisa Fakude

The ANC's National Executive Meeting enters its forth and final day today. The much anticipated meeting was meant to grapple with the US tariffs imposed on South Africa including internal issues such as the SACP's pursuit of contesting next year's local government elections on its own. At the weekend, the SACP, through its Secretary-General Solly Mapaila described the ANC as arrogant accusing the ANC was not implementing things the tripartite alliance had agreed upon in their meetings. Our reporter, Ntebo Mokobo. 

A 26-year-old North West man has abandoned his bail application in the Ganyesa Magistrate's Court after he was charged with the alleged rape and murder of a six-year-old girl. Ogorogile Motsoathebe was arrested on Tuesday and remanded in custody after he made his first court appearance last week. It is reported the victim was abducted while travelling with her mother and other people. SABC reporter, Thabang Morutloa has more 

Members of the community of Newclare, in Johannesburg, have called for the courts to deny bail to those accused of allegedly giving a toddler an unknown substance. The four accused, including the mother of the 4-year old, made a brief appearance at the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court this morning. SABC reporter, Pearl Magubane has more

10 Police officers arrested for alleged theft and corruption 

Officials of the education department in the Eastern Cape are visiting the family of a female student from David Mama High School in Mdantsane. This follows a bullying incident of the 18 year old pupil inside a bus used to ferry learners. The video of the assault incident went viral on social media. The scholar transport operator has since been suspended following the incident. Parents are demanding action be taken against the perpetrators. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Spokesperson of the Education Department in the province, Vuyiseka Mboxela.

International Relations minister, Ronald Lamola says South Africa will continue to engage with the United States despite the current difficulties and uncertainties they've encountered. He says South Africa relations with the United States remain important.He says various sectors have historically benefited from duty-free access to the US market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which now faces disruption with the 30 percent tariff imposed on South Africa. He  was speaking earlier at a joint media briefing in Pretoria, with the department of trade and industry. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to independent economist and associate of the Trade Law Centre (Tralac), Eckart Naumann  

South Africa faces a 30% tariff on its exports to the United States starting next week, a move expected to cost tens of thousands of jobs after the country failed to secure a trade deal before a deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump. In an executive order on Thursday, Trump slapped new tariff rates ranging from 10% to 41% on dozens of countries as he seeks to reshape global trade on more favourable terms for the U.S. South Africa has tried for months to negotiate a deal with Washington and offered to buy U.S. liquefied natural gas and invest in US industries in exchange for lower tariffs. But the effort was unsuccessful, even after Pretoria made a last-minute attempt to improve its offer. Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau explains. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Neville Matjie, CEO of Brand South Africa 

The African National Congress's much anticipated National Executive Committee meeting starts this afternoon until Monday. The meeting is set to reflect on a number of issues including President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent visit to the US, the subsequent 30 percent tariff increase on SA products among other issues. Mbalula says they will also be deliberating on their relations with the SACP

A shop  in Mpumalanga has been fined R600,000 for selling illicit cigarettes. More than 4,000 packets of illicit cigarettes valued at about  R100 000 were seized during a raid in September last year. The company has been sentenced for contravening the Tobacco Products Act, contravention of the Customs and Excise Act and contravention of the VAT Act.
Furthermore, The store has also been ordered to donate   504 desks to local schools. For more we spoke to Mpumalanga Hawks Spokesperson Magoseni Nkosi