Today in Africa — July 7, 2025: Top Cop Accuses South African Leaders of Meddling, 10 Killed in Kenya’s Latest Protests, Trump Threatens BRICS with Tariffs

Top South African Police Officer Claims Criminals are Meddling in Police Affairs

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said he’s committed to personally dealing with serious allegations of malpractice and corruption within the high ranks of the South African Police Service (SAPS). Ramaphosa, who made his comments from Brazil, where he was attending the BRICS Summit, was reacting to the explosive press conference by the head of police in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, accusing police minister Senzo Mchunu and deputy police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya of meddling with cases and colluding with criminals.

Mkhwanazi said law enforcement officers, politicians, prosecutors, and even some judges are being “controlled by drug cartels, as well as business people.” He named Brian “Brown” Mogotsi, an allegedly politically-connected businessman, and allegedly a close associate of Mchunu, as one of the persons meddling in police affairs, including calling for the arrests of Crime Intelligence head, Dumisani Khumalo, and Mkhwanazi. Mogotsi also allegedly received huge sums of money from tenderpreneur and alleged underworld figure, Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, who was arrested in May on suspicion of orchestrating a botched murder attempt.

Mkhwanazi’s allegations stem from Mchunu and Sibiya allegedly ordering the disbanding of a crime unit tasked with investigating politically motivated killings. Mkhwanazi claims that neither he nor the national police commissioner was consulted before the disbandment of the task team. Mchunu has called Mkhwanazi’s claims baseless, saying the integrity of SAPS won’t be “undermined by insinuations made without evidence or due processes, from anyone, including Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi.”

Kenyan Police Meet Protesters with Force at Saba Saba Demonstrations

At least 10 people were killed today, Monday, July 7, in protests commemorating the 35th anniversary of demonstrations that paved the way for multiparty politics in Kenya. According to a statement by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNHCR), 29 people were injured, while two people were abducted and 37 arrested across 17 counties in the country. The statement accused Kenyan police officers of using excessive force on protesters, while videos on social media have shown officers indiscriminately shooting live bullets at crowds and into people’s homes.

“The commission noted that significant police barricades were erected on major roads and entry points, severely disrupting the movement of people, particularly in [capital city] Nairobi,” the commission said, adding that many officers were hooded and in plain clothes, flouting a high court order that demands officers be in uniform and identifiable during demonstrations. The Saba Saba protests, marked in memory of the July 7, 1990 protests, are the latest bout of civil action where protesters have been met with wanton police brutality, as citizens continue to demand accountability and better governance from the President William Ruto-led administration.

Trump Threatens 10 Percent Tariff on BRICS Allies, Bloc Leaders Push Back

As BRICS leaders gathered in Brazil, U.S. President Donald Trump last night threatened a 10% tariff on countries aligning with what he called the group’s “anti-American” policies. The original BRICS bloc — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — has since added Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the UAE. Nigeria joined the bloc in January as a partner country. Saudi Arabia, while not yet a full member, is participating, and more than 30 countries, many from Africa, have expressed interest in joining. BRICS leaders today rejected the label and said the group promotes multilateral cooperation, not opposition to the U.S. China called Trump’s tariffs coercive, and South Africa, already hit with suspended 30 percent tariffs, said it “is not anti-American” and that talks with Washington remain “constructive and fruitful.”

The summit, hosted in Rio, emphasized climate action, AI governance, and economic reform — issues the bloc says have stalled in U.S.-led global forums. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and other leaders called for reforms to the UN and IMF to reflect today’s multipolar world. Russia joined virtually, while China sent its premier. The group also voiced concern over Israeli attacks on Gaza and backed WTO membership for Iran and Ethiopia. Despite Trump’s threats, new members like Indonesia continue talks with the U.S., highlighting the complex diplomacy at play as BRICS expands its global influence.

Boko Haram Kills Nine in Fresh Attack Near Nigeria-Chad Border

Nine people were killed and four injured yesterday, Sunday, July 6, in an attack by Boko Haram militants on Malam Fatori, a remote town near Nigeria’s border with Chad, Borno state authorities confirmed. Governor Babagana Zulum, through a representative, condemned the violence and warned locals against aiding insurgents. The assault adds to a string of recent Boko Haram operations that have rocked northeastern Nigeria, including suicide bombings and ambushes on civilians. A suicide bomber killed at least 10 people last month. Despite military claims of progress, insecurity in Borno state continues to deepen, raising fears of a wider resurgence of the extremist group.

Eight Migrants Deported to South Sudan After U.S. Supreme Court Ruling

Eight men from six countries were deported to South Sudan on Friday, July 4, by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, after the Supreme Court cleared the move despite safety concerns. The migrants had been detained for over a month at a U.S. military base in Djibouti while challenging their deportation on constitutional grounds. South Sudan, which remains volatile, received the deportees early Saturday, July 5. Former U.S. President Joe Biden's administration had halted similar deportations, but President Donald Trump’s return to office has revived them, part of a broader effort to deter migration through high-profile removals to dangerous countries.

Gabon’s President Launches Political Party to Cement Power Post-Coup

Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema, who came to power in a 2023 military coup, has launched a new political party, the Democratic Union of Builders (UDB), to solidify his leadership. The UDB says it aims to unite the country and rebuild after decades of Bongo family rule. The coup ousted President Ali Bongo, whose family had been in power in the Central African nation for 56 years. Former president Omar Bongo, Ali’s father, was president for over 40 years, and Ali took over leadership in 2009. Oligui won Gabon’s 2025 presidential election with nearly 95 percent of the vote. With the UDB’s creation, the former general signals a shift from a transitional figure to a long-term political player.

Uganda's Long-Term President to Contest for Office Again

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni will be running to remain in office next year, as he inches towards four uninterrupted decades in power. The governing National Resistance Movement (NRM) selected Museveni as its candidate for the 2026 polls over the weekend. In his acceptance speech, Museveni said he would continue working to turn Uganda into a “high upper middle-income country” if re-elected. It’s expected that Bobi Wine, pop star turned activist and politician, will once again be the strongest contender. However, with the 2021 elections largely considered not to be free and fair, and the continued persecution of political opponents, Museveni is favored to win next year.