First Take SA

Three Chapter Nine institutions begin a joint national inquiry into gender based violence in Braamfontein, Johannesburg today. The Commission for Gender Equality, the South African Human Rights Commission and the CRL Rights Commission will probe why reporting, victim support and pre-trial investigations continue to fail women despite government commitments. The five-day sitting at Braampark follow...

The National Liquor Traders says it is deeply shocked by the killings in Wedela in Gauteng and Lwandle in the Western Cape. The organisation has sent condolences to families and says places where people gather must never become scenes of terror. Convenor Lucky Ntimane has called for illegal firearms and organized violence to be confronted and cautioned against blaming lawful tavern operators. We s...

South African teenagers say they enjoy reading but want more books in their own languages that reflect their daily lives. That is according to the Teen Reading Pilot Survey launched at the National Library in Pretoria. The pilot interviewed 302 teens and 261 caregivers directly, testing inclusion of 10 to 17 year-olds in the National Reading Barometer. Organisers say it paves the way for the full...

The Afrikaners for South Africa network has condemned plans by Lex Libertas to display 3 000 white crosses in Washington to highlight farm killings. The network says the campaign uses victims as political props and presents a misleading picture of racial persecution to Americans. The group says farm attacks affect all communities and are largely driven by criminal motives. It warns the display ris...

The African Transformation Movement, ATM wants Buffalo City investigated for allegedly using municipal jobs, EPWP posts and even a water tank for ANC electioneering. The party cites wards 12, 22, 23 and 39, claiming sitting councillors were bypassed while candidates and branch officials influenced beneficiary lists. It says municipal resources belong to residents not parties and has called on the...

The Democratic Alliance in the Western Cape has hit back at Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, releasing a timeline to expose the chaotic planning behind the national Heritage Day venue shifts. DA provincial leader, Tertuis Simmers claims George Municipality was only given a three-day notice to host the massive event, making statutory safety compliance and budgeting impossible. The national celebrat...

A look at the current top African economic stories. We are joined on the line by 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

Bishop Azwihangwi Maumela claims Sibiya ’s case is linked to a succession battle and the general is being targeted. Suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya appeared in the Randburg Magistrate's Court on charges of rape, human trafficking and sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl. The 59-year-old was arrested by the SAPS Commissions Recommendations Task Team following an...

The Unemployment Insurance Fund, UIF has welcomed a search and seizure operation conducted by the Special Investigating Unit at PSIRA's offices in Pretoria yesterday. The raid follows a Special Tribunal order and forms part of a probe into a 130-million-rand UIF-funded training contract. The contract was meant to train over 7000 people across all provinces, but only a small number reportedly recei...

South Africa is moving to bring private companies into the large-scale production of the Agricultural Research Council's Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine. The move follows concerns over the ARC's limited manufacturing capacity, with government saying private-sector licensing could help increase vaccine availability and strengthen the country's livestock sector and food security. But with farmers und...

Suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya appeared in the Randburg Magistrate's Court on charges of rape, human trafficking and sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl. The 59-year-old was arrested by the SAPS Commissions Recommendations Task Team following an investigation into exploitation allegations. The state alleges he used electronic communications to groom the minor and r...

The Eastern Cape Liquor Board is warning learners against pens down parties involving alcohol as Matric exams approach. The Board says these celebrations often turn achievement into tragedy through injury, violence and loss of life. The Board is calling on parents, schools and liquor traders to help prevent underage drinking. For more we spoke to Dr. Mgwebi Msiya, Eastern Cape Liquor Board Spokesp...

The DA has approached the Electoral Court accusing ActionSA, the EFF, MK Party and GOOD of deliberately avoiding naming their PR candidates ahead of elections. The parties allegedly submitted single-name PR lists in many municipalities saying they will supplement the lists after the election if they win more seats. ActionSA says it wants to assess candidates based on election outcomes before filli...

Trade union federation SAFTU says South Africa must defend its sovereignty as Washington imposes new visa restrictions on some South Africans. It comes after the US issued five demands relating to farmer violence, the Kill the Boer chant, expropriation and B-BBEE. SAFTU says no foreign government can dictate South Africa's laws or foreign policy. But it argues sovereignty must also apply at home,...

Defence and Military Veterans Minister, Angie Motshekga has welcomed more than 2,500 new soldiers, who have completed their basic military training at 3 SAI in the Northern Cape. They are joining an SANDF under increase pressure to assist the police stem the tide of crime, including in hotspots in the Western Cape, where gang violence remains a major challenge, despite the deployment of soldiers....

A fatal shooting at a school in Inanda, north of Durban has put the spotlight on growing violence and criminality in schools across KwaZulu-Natal. A security guard was killed during a robbery at Inanda Comprehensive High School on Friday(18/9) night, after four guards were overpowered by armed suspects. The attack comes amid several other violent incidents at schools across the province. Gcinokuhl...

A 59-year-old Lieutenant General is appearing in the Randburg Magistrates Court today on charges of rape and sexual grooming. He was arrested yesterday by the Commissions Recommendations Task Team for the alleged grooming of a 16-year-old girl between July and August and the alleged rape of an 18-year-old woman at a hotel in Sandton in May. Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Di...

Mpumalanga taxi boss and businessman Joe Sibanyoni repeatedly invoked his constitutional right against self-incrimination at the Madlanga Commission on Monday. Sibanyoni returned to the Commission to read his supplementary statement. He invoked his right in relation to communications with taxi figure Bafana Sindane, WhatsApp records, alleged monthly payments and matters linked to the Edwin Constru...

South Africa is being urged to prepare early for the 2026/27 summer, as a rapidly strengthening El Niño raises the risk of below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures. The South African Weather Service says the event could become exceptionally strong by late 2026 or early 2027, but it is also stressing that a strong El Niño does not automatically mean a drought. Farmers, disa...

The South African Women in Construction and Built Environment has condemned the viral Sandton restaurant video showing threats against two women. The organisation says the incident has raised wider questions about who benefits from public construction contracts. It claims many women contractors still struggle to access direct work while billions are spent through government entities. The organisat...

The Public Servants Association, PSA says it is deeply concerned that SASSA owes millions in outstanding rent for offices nationwide. The Department has confirmed R16.5 million alone is owed for the Records Management Centre that stores sensitive records. The PSA warns the arrears could lead to evictions, locked facilities and disruption of services to vulnerable communities. The Union is calling...

Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager, TRIM has published Network Statement Version 4, setting out updated rules for access to South Africa's rail network. The framework, approved and gazetted by the Department of Transport, aims to improve transparency, capacity allocation and investment certainty. It also expands opportunities for new rail operators and provides greater flexibility for accessing...

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

The National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed that ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula is set to face criminal prosecution following submissions by AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit. Mbalula is accused of crimen injuria over allegations that he falsely accused Bergview College principal Jaco Pieterse of sexually assaulting or raping a child. AfriForum says it is also pursuing a separate pro...

The Democratic Alliance is calling for an urgent debate in Parliament on the escalating gender-based violence and femicide crisis in Ekurhuleni, following the discovery of multiple women's bodies in the area over the past two months. SAPS has established a multidisciplinary team to investigate the cases, while President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed that the investigations be prioritised. Police ha...