First Take SA

The Democratic Alliance, DA will today lodge a formal complaint against the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, PRASA at the Public Protector's office in Johannesburg. This follows DA oversight visits uncovering alleged abuse and misspending of R3.5 billion in taxpayer funds. DA Deputy Spokesperson on Transport, Thami Mabhena, speaks to Elvis Presslin to elaborate on their scheduled complaint

South African prisons are set to roll out cell phone signal jammers in a crackdown on inmate-led crime rings. The move follows fresh reports of extortion schemes masterminded from inside maximum-security facilities. Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has voiced outrage after learning a construction contractor fled a Bishop Lavis roads project under threats phoned in from Pollsmoor Prison. Minister...

The Government Communication and Information System, GCIS is hosting a webinar today to mark Cyber Security month. The event will focus on promoting responsible use of online platforms and strengthening cybersecurity. Bringing together public sector leaders, regulators, civil society and law enforcement, the session will combine policy discussions with real-world insights from digital influencers...

The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities CRL will launch its Section 22 Committee today. The event takes place at Rhema Bible Church in Randburg, Johannesburg drawing Christian leaders from across the country. This comes eight years after the Commission's landmark report on the commercialisation of religion and abuses tied to p...

The Patriotic Alliance, PA met with the ANC last night to discuss reinstating PA Deputy President Kenny Kunene as a member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for Roads and Transport in the City of Johannesburg. Kunene was sworn in as a councillor last week Friday following his suspension after he was found at the home of murder accused, Katiso "KT" Molefe during a police raid. Elvis Presslin spoke to...

Africa4Palestine has expressed profound sadness at the untimely death of former Minister Nathi Mthethwa and extended its deepest condolences to his family, friends and those mourning his loss. Mthethwa was remembered as a steadfast supporter of Palestine's struggle for dignity, justice and self-determination. During his tenure as Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, he notably backed the boycott o...

EFF MP Carl Niehaus is questioning the circumstances surrounding the death of South Africa's Ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, who was found dead outside a Paris hotel. The 58 year-old former Police Minister reportedly fell from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged that in 2011, as Police Minister Mthethwa pressured then inspector-general of...

The South African National Editors' Forum has launched a campaign called "Appointment with the President," urging President Cyril Ramaphosa to hold an open dialogue with the media. The forum says it's time for the President to engage directly with editors and senior journalists, a common practice in democracies worldwide. SANEF expressed frustration, noting that Ramaphosa's last such meeting was d...

The 25-year-old African Growth and Opportunity Act, Agoa, expired yesterday, leaving more than 30 Sub-Saharan African countries in limbo. This landmark trade agreement granted duty-free access to the US market for thousands of African products, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs across the continent. The Trump administration has expressed support for a one-year extension of Agoa, but uncerta...

Disbarred advocate Malesela Teffo is urging the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry to hear his evidence before wrapping up, warning that skipping it would leave a gaping hole in the final report. Teffo, whose name has surfaced in related parliamentary probes into police corruption, insists his input is key to unpacking allegations of criminality and interference in the justice system. The commission,...

Elvis Presslin takes a look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoeswana, author of  "Africa Is Open For Business" and "Africa Bounces Back". Victor is also the Executive Director for Marketing and Communication at the University of Limpopo

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union, NEHAWU has welcomed the Special Investigating Unit's interim report on Tembisa Hospital. The report reveals that R2 billion in state resources were looted through corruption, fraud, maladministration, procurement fraud, money laundering, collusion and bid rigging. NEHAWU condemned the theft, stating that these funds could have supported hea...

South Africa is in the grip of powerful criminal networks, according to top cop Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo. Testifying before the Madlanga Commission yesterday Khumalo named the "Big 5" as the country's most influential cartels. The syndicates reportedly operate from Cape Town to the nation's borders and beyond. The syndicates are involved in drug smuggling, extortion and rigging lucrativ...

South Africa will today launch Africa's first National Action Plan, NAP to tackle substandard and falsified medical products. The initiative aims to curb the spread of fake and poor-quality medicines, which the World Health Organisation says claims numerous lives globally each year, often undetected. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, alongside the National Department of Healt...

Climate justice activists, community leaders, students and Capetonians will today protest outside the Cape Town International Convention Centre, where the Africa Energy Week 2025 is underway. The Green Connection say fossil fuels worsen climate change, fuel pollution, deepen poverty and inequality, especially in marginalised communities. This comes months after the International Court of Justice r...

Gauteng traffic police have raised concerns over a surge in road crashes this weekend, which coincide with payday. Authorities reported over 20 incidents since Friday, ranging from minor to fatal. Traffic police spokesperson Obed Sibasa says drunk driving, speeding, unsafe overtaking and reckless driving are the main causes. For more on this we are joined by Spokesperson for Gauteng Traffic Police...

Judgment is expected in the drawn-out firearm case against EFF leader Julius Malema and his former bodyguard, Adriaan Snyman in the East London Magistrate's Court today. The pair stand accused of illegally firing a weapon during the EFF's fifth anniversary rally back in July 2018 at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape. Both have pleaded not guilty to charges including unlawful discharg...

ActionSA in Gauteng is calling on residents to boycott the Patriotic Alliance in next year's elections if Kenny Kunene is reinstated as Johannesburg's MMC of Transport. Kunene stepped down as MMC and councillor in July after being found at the home of murder accused Katiso Molefe during a police raid. He was also suspended from PA activities. Last week, PA leader Gayton McKenzie announced that a l...

Lobby group AfriForum and the Orania Movement have strongly condemned the vandalism of Afrikaner monuments in Pretoria. The damage targeted a gun barrel and a boot on two Boer warrior statues flanking the Paul Kruger statue in Church Square. This follows the EFF's recent push to remove colonial and apartheid-era statues nationwide. The party has also proposed renaming Kruger National Park in a mot...

The Special Investigating Unit has wrapped up its investigation into corruption at Tembisa Hospital in Gauteng. An interim report, set for release today, reveals billions of rands siphoned off through fraudulent supply chain deals. The probe implicates 111 officials tied to four syndicates, with contracts now canceled and efforts in progress to recover the stolen funds. Joining us to discuss the D...

Police in Gauteng will today gather at Zoe Bible Church for a National Prayer Day to pray for the safety of officers. 27 police officers lost their lives in the line of duty. Between April 2024 and March 2025, Police unions say these tragic losses highlight the dangerous and challenging conditions faced by SAPS members on a daily basis. Elvis Presslin spoke to South African Police Union Gaute...

Elvis Presslin takes a look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoeswana, author of  "Africa Is Open For Business" and "Africa Bounces Back". Victor is also the Executive Director for Marketing and Communication at the University of Limpopo

The Hawks are investigating a R67 million purchase order for transformers at Johannesburg's City Power, amid allegations of undelivered goods. This follows recent reports of corruption and financial mismanagement at City Power, including a separate R500 million tender fraud probe focusing on CEO Tshifularo Mashava's tenure. Elvis Presslin spoke to Tyrell Meyers, DA Johannesburg Shadow MMC for Envi...

The Ekurhuleni City Council met yesterday to decide on the suspension of EMPD Deputy Chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi. The motion follows allegations that Mkhwanazi supplied police blue lights to alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, which were installed on Matlala's personal vehicles in 2023. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate recommended disciplinary action against Mkhw...

The ANC will today commemorate the legacy of struggle icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who would have turned 89 today. Born on the 26th of September 1936 in Bizana, Eastern Cape, she passed away on the second of April in 2018 at the age of 81. ANC first Deputy Secretary General, Nomvula Mokonyane will deliver a keynote address at the Mama Winnie Mandela Birthday Programme at Phola Park Hall in Thok...