For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost.

Making headlines: South Africa launches inquiry into Iran's participation in BRICS+ naval drills; US accuses South Africa of cosying up to Iran with naval drills; And, despite delays, Hammanskraal water project progress

South Africa launches inquiry into Iran's participation in BRICS+ naval drills

South Africa's defence ministry today said Minister Angie Motshekga had launched an inquiry into Iran's participation in the BRICS+ naval exercises held in South African waters over the past week.

The defence ministry said in a statement that the inquiry would seek to determine whether South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's instructions regarding Iran's involvement were misrepresented and/or ignored.

South African news outlet Daily Maverick has reported that Ramaphosa sought to get Iran to withdraw from the drills due to concerns about the damage its participation could do to South Africa's relations with the United States.

US accuses South Africa of cosying up to Iran with naval drills

Meanwhile, the US criticised South Africa for allowing Iran to participate in naval drills off the coast of Cape Town, after conflicting reports about the Islamic Republic’s involvement in the exercises.

Iran’s “inclusion in joint exercises – in any capacity – undermines maritime security and regional stability,” the US Embassy said in a post last night. “South Africa can’t lecture the world on justice while cosying up to Iran,” it said.

The sharply worded US statement is the latest criticism of South Africa from its second-biggest trading partner, with whom it has been struggling to repair relations since the return of President Donald Trump to the White House last year. Pretoria’s ties to Iran are among the issues that have elicited anger in Washington.

Trump has threatened to attack Iran over a violent crackdown against protesters, and said this week the US will impose a 25% tariff on goods from countries “doing business” with the Islamic Republic.

And, despite delays, Hammanskraal water project progress

A package plant aimed at securing water supply for Hammanskraal residents is currently 88% complete.

Forming part of the Department of Water and Sanitation’s “Hammanskraal intervention project”, the construction of a four-module, 50 megalitre package plant, to upgrade the Klipdrift water treatment works from 42 Mℓ/d to 92 Mℓ/d, has been completed.

However, the water conveyance system still requires the pumps sets to be completed to deliver the water to the remaining Hammanskraal communities that are without potable water in their taps.

This is planned to be completed within the next four months.

The DWS and its entity Magalies Water partnered with the City of Tshwane to address long-standing water supply and quality challenges in the Hammanskraal area.

Of the 92 Mℓ/d to be produced by the Klipdrift package plant, 50 Mℓ/d has been earmarked for supply to the City of Tshwane.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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