First Take SA

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

The Democratic Alliance, DA has stepped up its fight against child rape by calling for a national probe into government departments that are failing to report and investigate cases. The party submitted evidence to the South African Human Rights Commission showing weak compliance with compulsory reporting laws, especially when pregnant girls under 16 appear in hospitals. We spoke to Angel Khanyile,...

The Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has rejected allegations that she helped family members get jobs in the public service. Her deputy Steve Letsike is also facing similar allegations. In a statement, Chikunga called the reports false and misleading, saying all public service appointments follow a legal recruitment process managed by a...

The Madlanga Commission is set for a pivotal week, with Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, IDAC head Advocate Andrea Johnson due to testify today. Senior IDAC investigator Brian Padayachee is also expected to appear this week. Johnson will respond to recent allegations questioning IDAC's conduct and independence, including claims she interfered in an assault case involving suspended Cri...

A three-day inquest into the death of Anele Tembe starts this morning at the Cape Town Magistrate's Court.  The court will hear evidence on how Tembe died after falling from the 10th floor of the Pepperclub Hotel in April 2021.  Proceedings will also determine whether anyone can be held legally responsible and if further legal action should follow.  At the time of her death, Tembe w...

Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport Ricardo Mackenzie has expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of footballer Jayden Adams and young rugby player Luqobo Makwedini. Mackenzie said the pair's passing is a huge blow to their families, teammates and South African sport as a whole. He highlighted how both athletes inspired many young people through their talent and dedication. We spoke...

Solidarity has hit the City of Tshwane with a letter of demand after officials placed City Manager Johann Mettler on precautionary suspension. The union says the move came despite a detailed 18-page response they submitted on his behalf and looks like a politically motivated witch-hunt. Deputy Chief Executive Anton van der Bijl called the process unlawful and unconstitutional, warning the metro fa...

The African Christian Democratic Party, ACDP in Ekurhuleni is calling for accountability and swift justice following recent arrests of senior municipal officials. ACDP councillor Palesa Yates says those arrested must have their day in court after the spotlight placed on governance issues by the Madlanga Commission. The party is also renewing calls for justice in the murder of municipal auditor Mph...

Former Ekurhuleni City Manager, Dr. Imogen Mashazi is expected to apply for bail in the Germiston Magistrate's Court this morning. She and co-accused Linda Gxasheka spent the night in custody after the state asked for time to verify their addresses. Mashazi faces charges of fraud, corruption. Julius Mkhwanazi and Kemi Behari have been granted bail of R50,000 each but remain in custody. For more, w...

The City of Tshwane Council has placed City Manager Johann Mettler on precautionary suspension with full pay, pending an independent investigation. Council also resolved to start disciplinary proceedings against CFO Gareth Mnisi over allegations found to be less serious misconduct. The Mayor says administration remains stable and services will continue. The DA, however, has condemned the susp...

The Union Against Hunger will picket outside the South African Human Rights Commission's Food Inquiry today. They plan to hold a symbolic trial of Shoprite in its absence after the retailer and other major chains reportedly failed to appear before the hearings in Johannesburg. The group will hand over a memorandum demanding the Commission compel retailers to attend and explain soaring food prices....

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

South Africa's asylum system is showing signs of progress, with the Refugee Appeals Authority of South Africa recording one of the biggest reductions in its backlog in years. The Department of Home Affairs says active refugee appeals have dropped by more than 12%, with thousands of cases finalised as part of a broader reform programme. However, with tens of thousands of cases still pending questio...

Impeached former Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane says she will oppose an application by the Legal Practice Council to have her struck from the roll of advocates. The statutory regulatory body has cited several grounds, including alleged unprofessional conduct. Advocate Mkhwebane is expected to file her answering papers in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. We spoke to  Advocate...

Labour federation the Congress of South African Trade Unions, COSATU is holding its National Day of Action today alongside affiliates including SAMWU and SADTU. Members are marching to the National Treasury in Pretoria to hand over a memorandum. The memorandum is also directed to CoGTA, SALGA and the Department of Water and Sanitation. COSATU says the action is to defend workers' rights, collectiv...

Citizen-led movement March and March will today march to alleged drug dens and businesses in KZN, accused of employing undocumented foreign nationals. The group has committed to holding a march every Thursday. March and March says the weekly protests are aimed at putting pressure on authorities to act on crime and job opportunities in the area. We spoke to March and March Movement leader, Jacinta...

The Activists and Citizens Forum says the only way for EFF leader, Julius Malema to clear his name is to appear before the Madlanga Commission and present his version of events. The call follows damning allegations that Malema, General Feroz Khan, Mo Sayed, and other questionable figures are involved in illegal activities. We spoke to Dennis Bloem, Spokesperson for the Activists and Citizens Forum...

Tensions between the United States and Iran are  said to be escalating rapidly following a fresh exchange of strikes and sharp rhetoric. Donald Trump has warned of hitting Iran "hard," suggesting the ceasefire is effectively over. The US has reportedly targeted dozens of Iranian-linked sites, while Iran has responded with attacks on US positions in the Gulf, raising fears of a wider regional...

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has signed the controversial Constitutional Amendment Number Three into law, pushing his rule until 2030. The move scraps the 2028 elections, ends direct presidential votes by the public and hands that power to parliament while stretching future terms to seven years. At 83, Mnangagwa's decision has sparked fresh debate over democracy in the southern African...

The Interim Traditional Health Practitioners Council of South Africa has extended support to initiates undergoing customary initiation this winter. The Council says while it respects the role of traditional leaders, practitioners and families, safety, health and dignity must come first. It has called for strict adherence to health regulations, legal frameworks and cultural protocols to prevent inj...

The South African Local Government Association, SALGA says it has noted National Treasury's decision to temporarily withhold July 2026 equitable share payments from 69 municipalities. While SALGA agrees accountability is needed, it warns the move must not compromise service delivery. Treasury says the withholding aims to enforce fiscal discipline. Elvis Presslin spoke to Lesetja Dikgale, SALGA Cha...

The Constitutional Court has upheld a ruling that sections of the Refugee Act are unconstitutional. The case was brought by the Scalabrini Centre and Lawyers for Human Rights in 2023. Judges ruled on Tuesday that asylum seekers cannot be turned away for lacking documents or missing a five-day reporting deadline. The court said each application must be considered individually, on its own merits. Fo...

ActionSA has referred the Phala Phala matter to the Information Regulator after its request for documents was denied. The party is seeking records including an affidavit signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa and financial documents linked to the farm theft case. ActionSA says it's concerned about the difference between the R8.7 million initially declared stolen and court evidence of transactions ove...

Health Ombud, Professor Taole Mokoena will today brief the media on the deaths of healthcare professionals at public facilities in KwaZulu-Natal. The briefing is expected to cover findings and recommendations on safety and working conditions in the sector. Attention now turns to key stakeholders, including Denosa, which represents nurses on the frontline. Elvis Presslin spoke to Sibonelo Gumede, D...

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has raised urgent concerns regarding a growing and largely overlooked social crisis in South Africa: the increasing number of fathers being denied meaningful access to their children. Despite ongoing efforts to protect the rights of women and children, there is a rising concern that the rights of children to maintain relationships with both parents are not...