First Take SA

The South African Weather Service has dismissed allegations of corruption and governance failure as "unfounded" and "misleading". The entity is currently engaged in a wage dispute with a labour union operating within the organisation, which SAWS says is behind some of the claims. The entity's Executive Management is accused of procurement manipulation, financial mismanagement, unchecked executive...

Members of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) are staging a sit-in at the Baviaanspoort Correctional Centre in Pretoria. The action follows the alleged victimisation of union representatives, including the suspension of the POPCRU Chairperson and intimidation of shop stewards. The union is demanding the release of arrested members, an end to intimidation and the reinstatement of it...

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the military to carry out immediate strikes in Gaza, citing a ceasefire violation by Hamas. Netanyahu's office says Hamas returned remains to Israel that did not belong to any of the 13 unaccounted hostages, constituting a "clear violation" of the ceasefire agreement. Elvis Presslin spoke to Naeem Jeenah, Researcher at the Mapungubwe Institute...

The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng says it will not beg for support in its upcoming motion of no confidence against Premier Panyaza Lesufi. The motion stems from the failed Amapanyaza crime prevention programme in the province, which the DA says was poorly planned and unlawful. Elvis Presslin spoke to DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Community Safety, Crezane Bosch

The Labour Court has ruled in favour of workers at ArcelorMittal South Africa, ordering the company to reinstate employees who were unfairly retrenched. The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, NUMSA, took the company to court after ArcelorMittal proceeded with dismissals despite ongoing negotiations with the Industrial Development Corporation to purchase the company. The court has orde...

The Socio-Economic Right Institute of South Africa (SERI) is taking the City of Johannesburg to court today over the removal of informal traders in parts of the city. In recent weeks, the municipality has implemented its clean-up and by-law enforcement programme as part of reclaiming the city. The initiative has also seen City officials embarking on a new registration system aimed at regulating th...

The GOOD Party has laid criminal charges against Western Cape MECs and senior officials for allegedly tabling falsely balanced provincial budgets ahead of last year's general election. The party claims the MECs presented a rosy picture of the province's finances, only to later declare a R3.8 billion budget shortfall. A dossier of evidence has been submitted to the police and the party says this is...

NotInMyName International is calling for justice after two cousins, Tshiamo and Baleseng Moramaga were shot dead in Mamelodi East, Tshwane, on Sunday morning. The organisation is demanding a swift and transparent investigation into the brutal murder and is calling for increased police patrols and support for the affected community. This latest incident has reignited concerns about gender-based vio...

Elvis Presslin takes a look at the current top African economic stories with 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

Eight former ActionSA councillors in Johannesburg are heading to court to challenge their removal from the City council. They claim their dismissal was procedurally flawed and politically motivated. The matter will be heard in the High Court tomorrow (Tuesday). The councillors argue that ActionSA ignored their rights by proceeding with replacement processes despite receiving cease and desist lette...

The Gauteng Provincial Government will today launch "Tswa Daar!", a massive campaign to combat substance and alcohol abuse. The initiative aims to provide support to those affected and their families, while also addressing the root causes of the problem. Multidisciplinary teams will be deployed across the province to offer assistance and a central database will be created to track substance abuse...

The Activists and Citizens Forum is questioning the lack of arrests in the Tembisa Hospital corruption scandal, despite the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) identifying suspects and confiscating assets. Over R2 billion in corruption has been allegedly stolen at the hospital, with syndicates working with corrupt officials to manipulate the tender system. The Forum is calling on the Investigation Di...

The National Freedom Party says it has lost confidence in KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli. The party is citing financial mismanagement and lack of transparency in the Government of Provincial Unity. The party says the current administration has failed to deliver on its promises, and it's time for a new approach. The NFP suggests allowing the MK Party to take a leading role in future governance,...

South Africa has been removed from the Financial Action Task Force's grey list after a 32-month period. The Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) has welcomed the decision, citing a concerted effort by various role players to address identified deficiencies and implement necessary reforms. The country was placed on the list in February 2023 by the global terror-funding watchdog for failure to detect...

The Independent Financial Advisors Forum has rejected the Democratic Alliance's "Economic Inclusion for All Bill", calling it a attempt to erase the role of race in South Africa's history of exclusion. IFAF argues that B-BBEE has made measurable gains in dismantling apartheid's economic legacy, citing the growth of the black middle class and increased access to skills development. The Forum is cal...

Today is World Polio Day, marking global efforts to eradicate poliomyelitis. Despite progress, the fight against polio continues, with vaccination campaigns and community engagement playing a crucial role. The World Health Organization's European Region was declared polio-free in 2002 and has maintained this status since. Elvis Presslin will be discussing the importance of polio vaccination and th...

The United Democratic Movement, UDM has raised concern about the rapid growth of the online betting industry. The party warns that gambling has become a mechanism of mass economic extraction that drains households and deepens poverty. The UDM is particularly concerned about reports of students using their National Student Financial Aid Scheme allowances to gamble online. The UDM is demanding that...

Elvis Presslin takes a look at the current top African economic stories with 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

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts, SCOPA is pushing for changes to the Road Accident Fund Act to require visitors to have medical insurance, similar to European Union visa requirements. Currently, anyone injured in a non-fault accident can claim from the fund, regardless of nationality. A new Road Accident Benefit Scheme Bill is expected to be introduced in Parliament by the end of the yea...

The Judiciary has expressed concern over testimony at the Madlanga Commission, alleging a R2.5 million bribe was paid to Acting Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba to secure bail for alleged criminal cartel member Katiso Molefe. Acting Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba denies receiving any money and has declined special leave. Elvis Presslin spoke to Mbekezeli Benjamin, Researcher and Advocacy officer at...

ActionSA has condemned the recent Westbury shooting that claimed two lives, calling it part of an alarming wave of violence linked to gangsterism. The party is urging the South African Police Service to launch a specialised pilot operation in affected areas, including Westbury and surrounding communities in Johannesburg. ActionSA says urgent action is needed to address the exploitation of children...

Former President Jacob Zuma has been ordered to repay R28.9 million spent by the state on his personal legal fees related to the Arms Deal. The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria ruled that Zuma must pay the amount, plus 20 years' interest, within 60 days. If he fails to pay, his assets or pension may be attached. Zuma's legal team is currently studying the judgment. But can Mr. Zuma successfully chal...

The National Empowerment Fund is hosting the Legal Sector Codes Summit at the IDC Conference Centre in Sandton. The summit aims to advance transformation in the legal profession, exploring progress, challenges and opportunities since the gazetting of the Legal Sector Code under the B-BBEE Act. Leaders from government, the judiciary and private law firms will discuss how to move beyond policy compl...

Former Minister of Police Bheki Cele will appear before the Ad Hoc Committee today to address allegations made by General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Cele is expected to testify today and tomorrow, providing insight into the 2019 work study that led to the disbandment of the SAPS Political Killings Task Team. The committee will likely scrutinise Cele's role in the decision-making process. For more we're j...

Seven South African Police Service officers have been arrested in Booysens, Johannesburg for allegedly extorting and kidnapping a suspected illegal miner. The officers reportedly demanded R30,000 from the victim. Joburg Public Safety MMC, Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku has confirmed the arrests and spoke to Elvis Presslin