First Take SA

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, PRASA has told parliament that it has spent 108 million rand on a forensic investigation into 102 contracts the entity entered into in the past five years. The state owned company was appearing before the Standing Committee on Public Accounts over irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure of 14 billion rand.

President Jacob Zuma will not be recalled. ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe made the announcement at Luthuli House, Johannesburg, today. This follows an extended NEC meeting in Irene, Pretoria, during which a motion of no-confidence in President Zuma was introduced. Mantashe says party veterans, who have been critical of President Jacob Zuma's leadership in recent weeks, have committed to work...

The Msukaligwa local municipality in Ermelo Mpumalanga has fired two hundred (200) workers for embarking on an illegal strike. This, after workers from the South African Municipal Workers Union ( SAMWU) downed tools last week and locked the entrance to the municipal offices.

National Director of Public Prosecutions Shaun Abrahams has handed in his representations to President Jacob Zuma, arguing why he should not be suspended. This after President Jacob Zuma instructed Shaun abrahams to provide reasons why he should not be suspended. Zuma wrote to Abrahams and NPA directors, Sibongile Mzinyathi and Torie Pretorius two weeks ago, asking them why they should not be susp...

Local and foreign media are camped outside a hotel in Irene, south of Pretoria, where the ANC's National Executive Committee is discussing a request by Tourism minister Derek Hanekom for President Jacob Zuma to resign. ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa has told journalists that the meeting will go on until late. Three cabinet members are reportedly supporting Hanekom's motion.

The Monetary Policy Committee of the Reserve Bank has left the repo rate unchanged at seven percent - meaning that the prime lending rate remains at ten point five percent. Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kaganyago has cited concerns about the increase in consumer inflation - but he says the central bank also has to take weak economic growth into account. The move was widely expected by economists.

COSATU has resolved to support and lobby for Cyril Ramaphosa as the next ANC president. This is one of the resolutions of the labour federation's Central Executive Committee meeting. COSATU says Ramaphosa is best placed in a position to unite the ANC. COSATU's general-secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali briefed the media in Johannesburg following the meeting.

COSATU has resolved to support and lobby for Cyril Ramaphosa as the next ANC president. This is one of the resolutions of the labour federation's Central Executive Committee meeting. COSATU says Ramaphosa is best placed in a position to unite the ANC. COSATU's general-secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali briefed the media in Johannesburg following the meeting.

NPA head, Shaun Abrahams and his two colleagues, Torie Pretorius and Sibongile Mzinyathi are the heart of the NPA and cannot be removed on untested allegations. Advocate Hilton Epstein has told the high court in Pretoria that Abrahams cannot be fired based on a perception that he may charge Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan again. The Hellen Suzman Foundation and Freedom Under Law want President Ja...

Police say they cannot, at this stage, confirm that the body found in Buccleuh, North of Johannesburg is of a three year old Everite Chauke. Chauke went missing two weeks ago during the flash floods in Johannesburg. Emergency services officials have been searching for her body and had yesterday extended the search to parts of Hartebeespoort.

The official unemployment rate figure in South Africa has increased to 27 point 1 percent in the third quarter from the 26 point 6 percent recorded in the second quarter. This is the highest unemployment figure in 13 years. Releasing the results of the labour force survey, Statistician General Pali Lehohla says the unemployment rate figure continues to grow and there is a need to identify economic...

The official unemployment rate figure in South Africa has increased to 27 point 1 percent in the third quarter from the 26 point 6 percent recorded in the second quarter. This is the highest unemployment figure in 13 years. Releasing the results of the labour force survey, Statistician General Pali Lehohla says the unemployment rate figure continues to grow and there is a need to identify economic...

#SPORTSTALK

Irregular expenditure has increased by almost 40 percent since 2013/14 to R46‚36-billion. Auditor General Kimi Makwetu says there is concern over state owned entities and uncertainty over their financial sustainability. Makwetu was releasing the audit results of the national and provincial departments and their entities for the 2015-16 financial year in Parliament.

The AbaThembu Royal Family has confirmed that the acting Abathembu king and brother of jailed king Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, Prince Mthandeni Dalindyebo has filed an urgent application in the Grahamstown High Court. This in a bid to interdict the coronation of Buyelekhaya's eldest son, Azenathi as acting king on the 25th of this month. Royal family spokesperson, Daludumo Mtirara says after Prince Mt...

The DA is expected to announce tomorrow action it intends to take against President Jacob Zuma for allegedly misleading Parliament. Zuma told the National Council of Provinces that former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela did not give him an opportunity to respond to her questions before releasing her State of Capture report. However, a leaked recording reportedly proves that Zuma was asked for his...

The largest and brightest full moon for nearly 70 years is appearing in night skies around the world. The super moon offers a chance for dramatic photos and spectacular surfing conditions. The next time a full moon comes so close to the earth will be in 2034. Jonathan Padavatan, presenter and Senior Technician at Wits Planetarium...

It is feared that Gauteng may be battered by severe thunderstorms again this afternoon. The South African Weather Service has warned of yet another heavy down pour and has called on residents to keep safe. Flash floods in some parts of the province left seven people dead. A toddler who was swept away by the floods is still missing. Cars and other property were damaged.

Eskom has confirmed that the its board has accepted CEO Brian Molefe's resignation. Molefe's resignation will become effective on the first of January next year after two year's at the helm of the power utility. In a media statement, Molefe says the resignation will afford him space to clear his name through the commission of inquiry into state capture. He says his decision to step down was volunt...

US President Barack Obama has called Republican Donald Trump to congratulate him on his election victory early and invited him to the White House on Thursday. The two men will discuss the transition of power. Obama says ensuring a smooth transition is a top pririty. Obama has meanwhile called a news conference to discuss the election results. Trump caused a stunning upset after defeating Democrat...

US President Barack Obama has called Republican Donald Trump to congratulate him on his election victory early and invited him to the White House on Thursday. The two men will discuss the transition of power. Obama says ensuring a smooth transition is a top pririty. Obama has meanwhile called a news conference to discuss the election results. Trump caused a stunning upset after defeating Democrat...

The Gold index on the JSE gained more than 12% in early trade today, as investors fled to gold as a safe haven to escape the turmoil on world markets after Donald Trump pulled off the biggest political surprise in recent history by winning the US presidential election. Stock markets in Europe and Asia have fallen at the prospect of a Trump presidency.

Donald Trump won the US presidential election early this morning in a victory that sent shockwaves around the world. The Republican took the key states of Florida, North Carolina and Ohio. Trump pledged that he would be "president for all Americans" in his New York victory speech.

Wall Street stocks were mixed at the open Wednesday following Donald Trump's shock win in the US presidential election, as hopes of a pro-business agenda offset effects of higher uncertainty. Stock futures initially plunged overnight as results suggested the unpredictable Trump was on his way to a defeat of Democrat Hillary Clinton, who had been viewed as a steady hand.

The Water and Sanitation department says it's confident that the release of water from Sterkfontein dam will help to reduce water shortage in Gauteng. The department has released water from the dam near Harrismith in the eastern Free State to the Vaal dam which will supply water to residents in the area. We spoke to Mlimandlela Ndamase, spokesperson for Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokony...