An earth tremor was reportedly felt in parts of Midrand, northern Johannesburg, and Ekurhuleni, according to SABC News. Ekurhuleni Emergency Services has not received reports of property damage. The Council for Geosciences has yet to confirm the tremor's magnitude, but emergency teams are on high alert. Volcanodiscovery.com suggested a possible earthquake occurred around 7:23 p.m., though this remains unverified.

The rand has remained steady as National Treasury prepares for budget 3.0 and a South African delegation in Washington meets ahead of a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, reports EWN. These developments are expected to influence South Africa's fiscal and diplomatic direction. Ramaphosa is accompanied by four ministers, including Trade Minister Parks Tau and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, who have begun preparatory talks. The rand traded between R17.97 and R18.11, slightly strengthening amid broader concerns over U.S. economic confidence and fiscal debt.

The City of Johannesburg has urged spaza shop owners and operators who applied for land use consent to visit the Development Planning Department to check their application status, reports SABC News. Since November, nearly 2,000 applications have been received, but many contain incorrect contact details. Development Planning MMC Eunice Mgcina has called on applicants to verify their information and submit outstanding documents. The department is located at Forum 1, Braam Park Offices in Braamfontein, and is open from 08:30 to 14:00, Monday to Friday.

As a severe cold front sweeps across South Africa, homeless communities face life-threatening conditions, with reported deaths due to freezing temperatures. In Johannesburg, homeless individuals described the harsh reality of surviving the winter months. Many sleep in parks or between buildings, relying on body heat to stay warm. Emergency services have warned of increased risks as people turn to unsafe heating methods, leading to a spike in fire-related incidents. Authorities urged caution, pleading with residents not to leave heating devices unattended. Organizations like the Salvation Army are distributing blankets and appealing for public donations. The South African Weather Service has issued a Level 2 warning for strong, damaging winds across the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Northern Cape, with widespread showers and thunderstorms expected.