First Take SA

Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi says if the Constitutional Court sides with the Board of Healthcare Funders, the NHI Act will fall away and Parliament will have to begin the process anew. The court has been hearing the Board's challenge that Parliament did not allow meaningful public participation when passing the law. We spoke to Faith Mothambi, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Heal...

Parliament is set to launch an inquiry into the gang violence and organised crime crisis affecting communities, especially in the Western Cape. The Democratic Alliance has welcomed the move but warned it must lead to real accountability and measurable results, not just more discussion. Residents in affected areas continue to live in fear as violence persists and pressure grows for concrete solutio...

E-hailing operators face mounting strain as sharp fuel price hikes threaten their livelihoods and profit margins. The increases are expected to drive up fares and weaken demand, adding pressure on commuters already battling transport costs. Industry players warn that without intervention, both drivers and passengers could feel the impact of a deepening affordability crisis. We spoke to National E-...

Violence targeting spaza shops and informal traders in South Africa, is leaving many small business owners operating under fear and uncertainty. The South African Spaza Shop Association says these attacks are no longer isolated incidents, but a growing crisis that is undermining township and rural economies and threatening the survival of informal trade networks. The association is now calling for...

Fuel prices will rise sharply across South Africa from Wednesday, adding pressure on struggling households. The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources announced petrol will go up by R3.27 per litre and diesel by R6.19, with paraffin and LPG also increasing. The Government cites global oil price volatility and supply constraints for the hike. Cosatu warns the increases will drive up transpor...

A look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoesoana, 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 says it is flabbergasted by Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela's decision to place NSFAS under administration without consulting the union. The union argues past administrators left the scheme with maladministration, financial irregularities and poor governance. NEHAWU had urged the Minister to work with stakeholders after board...

The Black Lawyers Association says the Legal Sector Code is vital for transformation in the judiciary. This comes as Norton Rose Fulbright, Webber Wentzel, Werksmans and Bowmans challenge the code in the Pretoria High Court. The firms argue the 2024 B-BBEE rules, requiring up to 50 percent black ownership, are unconstitutional and unworkable. BLA President Nkosana Mvundlela says the challenge is u...

The Constitutional Court will begin hearing a challenge to the National Health Insurance Act. The Board of Healthcare Funders and the Western Cape government argue Parliament failed to ensure meaningful public participation before passing the law. The hearings run from today until Thursday and will test whether sections 59 and 72 of the constitution were met. Major medical aid schemes are backing...

A dramatic and highly dangerous rescue operation has captured national attention in South Africa, after a police officer was lowered from a helicopter to secure a dead crocodile believed to contain human remains. The operation, carried out along the Komati River, involved euthanizing the animal before it was airlifted for forensic examination. Captain Johan Potgieter has been widely praised for hi...

Police have confirmed that missing Vosloorus spaza shop owner Mazwi Kubheka has been found alive, bringing relief after a month-long disappearance that had raised serious concerns in the community. Kubheka reportedly presented himself at the Vosloorus police station after going missing on the day he was due to pay rent for his business. His case had sparked fears around safety, crime, and the vuln...

Nigeria is working on the permanent repatriation of citizens in South Africa who want to return home. The move follows recent protests and rising tensions over undocumented immigrants and border control. The Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo South Africa Chapter have confirmed the plan, citing safety and livelihood concerns. We're now joined by Dr. ABC Okokoh, President of the Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo South Africa Chapter...

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party has submitted a Private Member's Bill to reserve spaza shop ownership strictly for South African citizens. The draft is nearing completion and follows concerns over illegal trade and undocumented foreign nationals. The move comes amid tighter regulation of township economies after foodborne illness outbreaks in 2024 and 2025. Government has already stepped up inspections...

The Activists and Citizens Forum is calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to urgently address what it describes as "porous borders" and a potentially life-threatening situation. This comes as some communities demand stricter immigration controls, including the closure of borders and the arrest of undocumented foreign nationals, raising serious questions about law enforcement, human rights, and soci...

Lobby group AfriForum has laid a criminal complaint with the South African Police Service against former Johannesburg mayor Thapelo Amad. This follows a viral video allegedly showing Amad firing shots at a Soweto funeral last year. AfriForum says police failed to act and is pushing for five charges under the Firearms Control Act. The group insists the law must be applied consistently, citing simil...

The Forum for South Africa, FOSA has criticized government's extension of fuel levy relief, calling it deceptive. FOSA says the measure is a short-term fix that fails to address the country's economic crisis. The organisation argues the relief is fiscally misleading and shifts the burden back to consumers. We spoke to National Leader Tebogo Mashilompane 

Former NSFAS interim chair Dr. Mugwena Maluleke says he has no regrets about his service to the student aid body. His exit comes amid a wave of high-level board resignations raising concerns over governance and stability. Questions remain about whether NSFAS can still function effectively despite the leadership gaps. The Department of Higher Education insists funding operations will continue unint...

Bellarmine Mugabe, the youngest son of late Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe is back in Zimbabwe after being deported from South Africa. He was removed yesterday after pleading guilty to pointing a firearm and contravening immigrations laws. His lawyer, Sinenhlanhla Mnguni says they are considering an appeal against the Home Affairs ban stopping his return to South Africa. His co-accused Tobias...

The Zambian government and the family of late president Edgar Lungu will appear in the Pretoria High Court today. The matter concerns the repatriation of Lungu's remains to Zambia. Civic movement Progressive Forces will hold a picket outside the court in support of the Zambian government's position to have him buried in his home country. We spoke to Mthetho Ngcukayithobi, President of Progressive...

The Azanian Ground Forces says its meeting with the Elsburg SAPS Station Commander was a resounding success. The AGF raised allegations that some undocumented immigrants are released without court appearances after allegedly paying bribes. We spoke to AGF President and a former MMC for Public Safety in Ekurhuleni, Tlhogi Moseki 

As workers across South Africa prepare to mark May Day, the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union is calling on its members to turn out in full force in support of the Congress of South African Trade Unions May Day rallies. Amid rising living costs, austerity pressures, and deep challenges within the criminal justice system, including understaffing, unsafe working conditions, and deteriorating inf...

The United Arab Emirates says it will withdraw from OPEC and OPEC+ on May first after more than 50 years in the alliance. The move removes quota limits on the UAE and allows it to increase oil production. The decision could lift global oil output and shift market dynamics. Meanwhile, South Africa has extended its fuel levy reduction to June to ease pressure on motorists. But what impact will the U...

SANEF chairperson Makhudu Sefara has stepped aside pending an investigation into SIU allegations of lottery fund misappropriation. Sefara denied the claims at an urgent SANEF meeting last night. SANEF accepted his decision and appointed deputy chair Tshamano Makhadi as acting chairperson. An independent legal team will evaluate the evidence. We spoke to Reggy Moalusi, Executive Director at South A...

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has asked National Treasury to investigate alleged irregularities in foundation phase textbook procurement. Gwarube warned that problems in the process could affect more than 13 million learners. She has written to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana requesting a formal probe. The Minister says those found guilty of wrongdoing will face consequences. We spoke...

The Communication Workers Union and its allies will hold a national shutdown and march today to demand action on the Post Office crisis. Workers want R3.8 billion in urgent funding, a 30% government business allocation, job security and an end to the Business Rescue Process. A memorandum will be handed to the Communications Minister and National Treasury in Pretoria. The unions say SAPO is a publi...