First Take SA

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The National Prosecuting Authority has provisionally withdrawn fraud and corruption charges against Brigadier Dineo Mokwele, Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo and their co-accused.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...

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, together with Show Racism the Red Card, has raised alarm over what they describe as a disturbing surge in racism across international football in 2026. Despite campaigns and initiatives led by FIFA, tens of thousands of abusive posts were recorded during the 2026 FIFA World Cup alone, exposing what critics say is a failure to tackle systemic racism in the game. We sp...

A new SECTION27 report says South Africa's 2025 health budget does not meet the needs of women, particularly those in poor and rural areas. It finds under investment in infrastructure is limiting access to care, while floods and heatwaves are damaging facilities and increasing demand. The report notes 89% of professional nurses are women and that women do most unpaid care work, yet funding to supp...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has released the National Water Action Plan following a meeting of the National Water Crisis Committee at the Union Buildings. The plan sets out short, medium and long-term actions to stabilise failing municipal systems, increase infrastructure investment and tackle corruption in the water sector. For reaction on the National Water Action Plan. We spoke to WaterCAN Execut...

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

The City of Ekurhuleni insists that the removal of office furniture by the Germiston Sheriff is not due to unpaid service providers, but rather a dispute over sheriff fees. The City says the capital amounts have already been settled. While officials say urgent legal steps are underway to recover the assets, the incident has raised questions about governance, financial management and administrative...

The Democratic Alliance is set to brief the media outside the Tambo Memorial Hospital, raising serious concerns over the postponement of critical elective surgeries, in some cases until 2027. The DA says this crisis has persisted despite repeated warnings to the Gauteng Department of Health, and plans to reveal what it calls damning evidence, alongside testimonies from affected patients. We spoke...

The corruption trial of former Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula continues today at the Pretoria High Court. UDM Leader General, Bantu Holomisa was the state's first witness, telling the court he received information in 2021 that Mapisa-Nqakula had received about R5 million from an SANDF contractor. Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 counts of corruption and money laundering. The case resumes today for further...

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the Nkabinde Inquiry has found South Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andrew Chauke fit to hold office. The panel found no credible evidence that Advocate Chauke made improper prosecutorial decisions in the Cato Manor matter or acted unlawfully in his coordination duties. It also ruled his decision to provisionally withdraw charges against former Crim...

The South African Reserve Bank will announce its next interest rate decision today, with many economists expecting another hike. Inflation rose to 4.5% in May, driven by higher oil and fuel prices after tensions in the Middle East disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The MPC raised rates by 0.25% in May, taking the prime rate to 10.5% and Reserve Bank Governor, Lesetja Kganyago has war...

Higher Education, Minister Buti Manamela has given the University of Venda Council 14 days to respond to his plan to appoint an independent assessor. The proposed probe would look into allegations of corruption against suspended Vice-Chancellor Dr. Bernard Nthambeleni and COO Lonwabo Botwe. Both were suspended by council last week amid governance and leadership disputes at the university. The depa...

ActionSA says the Gauteng provincial government spends an estimated R3.1 billion a year to educate foreign national learners. The party has raised concerns about pressure on resources, citing overcrowded classrooms and budget constraints. While the Constitution guarantees basic education for every child regardless of nationality, ActionSA is questioning whether the system can sustain the growing d...