First Take SA

Cabinet has approved the extension of driving licence card validity from five to ten years for certain vehicle categories. Government says the move is aimed at reducing backlogs at testing centres, cutting administrative burdens and aligning the country with international norms. However, the decision has sparked debate around road safety, enforcement and whether the system is equipped to handle su...

A look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoeswana, author of Africa Is Open For Business and Africa Bounces Back

Mounting frustration is once again being directed at congestion and delays at the Beitbridge border post between South Africa and Zimbabwe, one of the busiest transit points in the SADC region. The African Unite Borders Bus Trucks Association (AUBBTA) is calling for urgent intervention, proposing a single, integrated "one-stop" border system to replace the current dual-stop checks on both sides. W...

Parliament's Impeachment Committee is appealing a Western Cape High Court judgment that halted its inquiry into President Cyril Ramaphosa. The court ruling restricts the Committee to preparatory work and bans public hearings until a judicial review in September. Some political analysts have backed the appeal, while opposition parties are challenging the matter in the Constitutional Court. Parliame...

Journalists at the Daily Dispatch and Herald are reportedly working without pay after new owners Ubuntu Media Holdings missed July salaries following their May acquisition from Arena Holdings. The South African National Editors' Forum, SANEF has slammed the failure, warning that boardroom disputes directly threaten news sustainability, democracy and the livelihoods of hardworking staff. We spoke t...

Police in Johannesburg have seized a vast haul of counterfeit goods following a major coordinated crackdown in the inner city. The operation by a specialized task force targeted the Marble Tower and Small Street precincts to disrupt illicit trading hubs. Officials from Home Affairs also arrested nine undocumented foreign nationals during the Tuesday raids. Authorities say these joint operations wi...

Emergency crews in KwaZulu-Natal are on high alert following a serious Level 6 weather warning for disruptive rain and snow. While some areas have seen conditions ease, eThekwini and the south coast remain under critical threat from heavy downpours. Significant snowfall has also been reported in the Drakensberg mountains, prompting road traffic warnings. Government teams are currently monitoring b...

South Africa's Electoral Commission is making a final push for eligible citizens to register for the upcoming local government elections. This weekend marks the absolute last chance for in-person voter registration before the election date is officially proclaimed. Chief Electoral Officer, Mr. Sy Mamabolo warns that the voters' roll will close immediately upon proclamation, locking out anyone unre...

A major expansion of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) system to sixty municipalities is presenting unexpected legal challenges for South African businesses. Employment law specialists warn that companies face mounting compliance pressures, stricter deadlines, and heightened liability risks regarding corporate fleets and employee drivers. Experts say failure to imple...

The Economic Freedom Fighters, EFF have launched an urgent Constitutional Court appeal to overturn a ruling that halted the parliamentary inquiry into President Cyril Ramaphosa. The party is seeking to set aside a Western Cape High Court decision, arguing the judiciary improperly blocked the Section 89 committee from its constitutional duties. The EFF asserts that using legal action to stall the i...

The Department of Employment and Labour has warned businesses to be alert to fake inspectors operating across South Africa. It says civic groups including LACO and the Labour Laws Enforcement Organisation are allegedly posing as officials and demanding the hiring of South Africans over foreign nationals. The Department says only inspectors appointed by the Minister and carrying official certificat...

The Multi-Party Women's Caucus in Gauteng has bid farewell to Build One South Africa's sole provincial lawmaker, Ayanda Allie, following her expulsion from the party. Allie's membership was terminated after an internal disciplinary process. Caucus Chairperson, Dr. Nomathemba Mokgethi has thanked Allie for her service and stated that the caucus remains committed to fighting for the dignity and fair...

The Acting Police Minister, Firoz Cachalia, has assured the public that South Africa has a full nationwide stock of adult and child rape evidence collection kits. The confirmation comes amid persistent worries over the state's ability to tackle the country's severe gender-based violence crisis. The South African Police Service stated that extra supplies are being actively distributed to replenish...

The Democratic Municipal and Allied Workers Union of South Africa, DEMAWUSA has started a three-day protest at the city's metro political offices. The union says the demonstration escalates its ongoing campaign against systemic injustice facing local government employees. Demonstrators are demanding an end to outsourcing, job insecurity and alleged unfair dismissals. We spoke to the union's Genera...

The Judicial Service Commission has advised President Cyril Ramaphosa to suspend Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge. This is pending a National Assembly decision on his possible impeachment. The advice follows a finding of "gross misconduct" against Mbenenge in a landmark sexual harassment case brought by Judges' Secretary Andiswa Mengo. Mbenenge is challenging the finding in court BUT Ju...

The Johannesburg Crisis Alliance has criticized the City of Johannesburg's recent move to refer over R4 billion worth of alleged financial misconduct cases to its internal Disciplinary Board, describing it as a procedural delay rather than genuine accountability. This comes after Executive Mayor Dada Morero and MMC for Finance Loyiso Masuku praised the City's actions following the 52nd Ordinary Co...

Lobby group March and March says it has suspended its working relationship with radio personality Ngizwe Mchunu. Founder Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma says the move follows what the group calls unacceptable behaviour that could bring it into disrepute. The suspension will remain in place pending further investigations. Tensions emerged after Mchunu met President Cyril Ramaphosa ahead of the June 30 protest...

The National Prosecuting Authority has provisionally withdrawn fraud and corruption charges against Brigadier Dineo Mokwele, Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo and their co-accused. State prosecutors say the investigation is not yet complete. Mokwele's legal team expressed disappointment and rejected that, saying the investigation was already concluded. The lawyers say the...

The South African government has filed papers to oppose a lawsuit seeking to suspend military export permits to the United States. State attorneys say the trade does not breach domestic law and are challenging the bid to halt lucrative contracts. The Southern Africa Litigation Centre lodged the case in June in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, arguing the National Conventional Arms Control...

A look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoeswana, author of Africa Is Open For Business and Africa Bounces Back  

 The African Transformation Movement, ATM says it will urgently approach the Constitutional Court for clarity on the Section 89 impeachment process. The move follows a Western Cape High Court ruling that granted President Cyril Ramaphosa an interim interdict stopping Parliament's public hearings on the Phala Phala matter. ATM argues the judgment creates constitutional uncertainty and question...

The head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, IDAC, Advocate Andrea Johnson has asked to resign with immediate effect. The NPA confirmed it received her letter and is considering the request, while a copy was also sent to President Cyril Ramaphosa as the appointing authority. The Presidency has not commented. Johnson's request comes amid growing scrutiny after her testimony last we...

Former PRASA boss Lucky Montana says the SIU has not obtained a preservation order against him, only a provisional order to start legal proceedings. In a statement, he says he was served on 9 July and has filed a notice to oppose, with his affidavit due by 19 August 2026. Montana accused the SIU of misleading the public and said state agencies have targeted him for years over the R53-billion Gibel...

The South African Democratic Teachers Union, SADTU has condemned Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's statement on developments at the Public Investment Corporation. SADTU, which represents thousands of public servants whose pension savings are managed through the Government Employees Pension Fund, says the Minister's comments raise serious questions about governance, accountability and the protect...

The Border Management Authority says long freight queues at Beitbridge are due to congestion on the Zimbabwean side of the border. The BMA and SARS say all South African operations, including immigration, cargo and health checks, are running normally. Zimbabwean officials report limited parking and slow processing by clearing agents, with abnormal-load trucks taking up space. The BMA says it is en...