South Africa in March 2026: the most important developments in politics
In South Africa in March 2026, the most reported political story was the genocide case South Africa brought against Israel at the International Court of Justice. The United States defended Israel in the case, which was filed before the UN's top court, and South Africa said it was reviewing Israel's defence submissions. Relations with Washington were also strained. The US criticised the ANC over President Cyril Ramaphosa's sympathies with Iran, South Africa rejected US pressure to distance itself from Iran, and it summoned the new US ambassador to explain what it called undiplomatic remarks.
Within the ANC, Motsepe dismissed rumours about the party's leadership as false and unfounded, and the party condemned an online campaign called PM27 that put forward a leadership bid in his name, calling it divisive and in violation of resolutions of its national executive. The party was described as frozen as the 2026 local elections approached. A High Court blocked the ANC's Eastern Cape conference on 26 March, and a member challenged the outcome of a Johannesburg regional conference in court.
Elsewhere, a former police officer was charged with murder in the Madlanga commission inquiry into the death of the whistleblower known as Witness D. China announced a push to strengthen its partnership with Africa and cut tariffs for African exports, and Cape Town set debt rules that target residents behind on their bills.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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