First Take SA

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is considering expanding the powers of metro police to tackle crime, focusing on copper theft, which has disrupted South Africa's economic centers. Metro police, typically responsible for traffic and by-law enforcement, could soon conduct routine inspections at second-hand dealers to ensure compliance with regulations. Elvis Presslin spoke to OUTA Chairperson Wayne Duv...

The United National Transport Union (UNTU) has expressed outrage over a recent salary increase proposal from PRASA management, calling it insulting. After a nine-month delay in negotiations, PRASA offered a 3% increase on the Total Guaranteed Package with no allowance adjustments. The union is also concerned about job security, citing PRASA's refusal to agree to a non-retrenchment clause. Elvis Pr...

The Gauteng Department of Health has paid over R3 million to four suspended Tembisa Hospital officials implicated in corruption linked to whistleblower Babita Deokaran's murder. Provincial Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko revealed the payouts in a written reply to the Gauteng Legislature. Elvis Presslin spoke to DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, Jack Bloom

Former MK Party Secretary General Floyd Shivambu is set to hold a press conference today amid speculation he may announce his departure from the party. This follows his redeployment to parliament after being sacked. Elvis Presslin spoke to Political analyst, Sanet Solomon...

KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma is considering a ban on trucks using the R34 near Ulundi due to repeated deadly crashes. The road, heavily used by coal trucks, was the site of a tragic bus accident that killed ten people yesterday. The bus was carrying EFF supporters returning to Vryheid from a Youth Day rally in Durban. Elvis Presslin spoke to Gavin Kelly, CEO of the Road Freight Associ...

Higher Education and Training Minister Dr. Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane has announced the panel tasked with selecting and recommending board chairs for Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) to the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training. The selection process has been revamped, and the Minister says she's prepared to answer questions and provide more details to the committee. El...

South Africa's triumphant Proteas, led by Captain Temba Bavuma, will arrive home today after defeating Australia by five wickets in the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Eastern Storm's coach, Geoffrey Toyana who coached Bavuma during his formative years at the Lions told our senior producer Ronald Phiri, that Bavuma's soft-spoken leadership style coupled with team effort, led the Proteas t...

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) plans to picket outside Denel's offices in Irene, Centurion, to demand long-overdue wage increases. NUMSA claims workers have faced severe hardships, including unpaid salaries during the pandemic and no raises for five years. The union accuses Denel's management and the government of mistreating employees while pushing to privatize the com...

The civil rights group OUTA is pressing Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to cancel fines and relax temporary license rules as the backlog of driving license cards climbs toward 700,000. OUTA's Stefanie Fick is pushing for a freeze on penalties for drivers waiting on renewals, a crisis caused by the failure of the country's only card-printing machine. Elvis Presslin spoke to OUTA's Head of Legal,...

Ousted uMkhonto weSizwe Party founder, Jabulani Khumalo is taking his fight to the Pretoria High Court to reclaim leadership of the party. Khumalo insists the MKP should be led by credible individuals who made significant sacrifices to establish it. Elvis Presslin spoke to Jabulani Khumalo

Operation Dudula has occupied hijacked properties in Johannesburg, trying to reclaim the properties from illegal occupiers. The group gathered at the Rosettenville Moffettview police station citing concerns over foreigners occupying properties while South Africans struggle with housing. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Operation Dudula President, Zandile Dabula

The South African Police Service spent R131 million on paid sick leave for 618 officers in the 2023/24 financial year, according to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. Responding to a parliamentary question from the DA, Mchunu said most of the funds covered leave periods longer than six months. Elvis Presslin spoke to Lisa Schickerling, MP and DA Deputy Spokesperson on Police

The uMkonto weSizwe (MK) Party officially launched its youth league yesterday in Clermont, west of Durban. Scores of party supporters gathered at the Christianeburg Stadium to witness the launch of the party's youth wing. For more on the MK party's youth league, Elvis Presslin spoke to Nkateko Mkhabela, MKP Youth League Secretary General

South Africa has strongly condemned the targeting of civilians amid escalating clashes between Iran and Israel, which have now entered their fifth day. The South African government is calling for immediate de-escalation, warning that civilians and infrastructure must be protected. The conflict has resulted in nearly 250 deaths, with both nations exchanging deadly strikes. Elvis Presslin spoke to D...

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 devastating floods in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, have left a trail of destruction, with over 70 lives lost and the death toll continuing to rise. Search and rescue operations are underway for four learners swept away in a minibus taxi. To discuss the impact of the floods on education, Elvis Presslin spoke to National Association of School Governing Bodies General Secretary, Matakanye Matakanya

The Supreme Court of Appeal has ordered a retrial in the Nulane Investments case linked to the Gupta family, citing errors in Acting Judge Nompumelelo Gusha's ruling. The National Prosecuting Authority has indicated it may pursue legal action against Gusha for misapplying the law and disregarding the state's evidence. For more on this Research and Advocacy Officer at Judges Matter, Mbekezeli Benja...

President Cyril Ramaphosa will today visit Mthatha's flood-ravaged areas in the Eastern Cape today, where a fierce winter storm has killed over 70 people and caused widespread destruction. Meanwhile, humanitarian groups like Gift of the Givers, the Al-Imdaad Foundation and other NGOs have intensified emergency and rescue efforts in the flood-hit areas in Mthatha, where scores of residents have bee...

The Ministers of Home Affairs and Police have dismissed allegations of collusion with anti-migrant group Operation Dudula as "reckless and baseless". The ministers are pushing back against interdicts in the Gauteng High Court, sought by Kopanang Africa and other civil society organizations seeking to curb Dudula's alleged mistreatment of foreign nationals. To discuss this further Elvis Presslin sp...

The South African government has expressed its condolences to India following the catastrophic crash of Air India Flight AI171. The London-bound flight plummeted shortly after departing Ahmedabad, in the western Indian state of Gujarat.claiming the lives of almost all passengers and crew on board and killed additional people on the ground. The aircraft, carrying individuals from multiple nations,...

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

SAFTU has slammed the R26 billion World Bank loan to South Africa as a dangerous Trojan horse. The approved loan is to support structural reforms aimed at boosting South Africa's infrastructure. The union argues that it's a gateway to privatization, deepening neoliberal reforms and worsening foreign debt. Elvis Presslin spoke to SAFTU'S General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi 

Durban businessman Shaun Naidu is taking Nedbank to court in a R39.8 billion lawsuit, alleging the bank wrongly listed him as a suspected fraudster for nearly a decade. The listing on the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service database reportedly damaged his reputation and cost him valuable business opportunities. Elvis Presslin spoke to Shaun Naidu himself

The United States has issued a stark warning to its citizens planning to travel to South Africa, citing violent crime, kidnappings, and potential terrorist threats. The US Level 2 travel advisory alert urges Americans to exercise heightened caution, especially in major cities after dark. Elvis Presslin spoke to  Tourism Minister, Patricia de Lille

Operations are underway in KwaZulu-Natal following two days of severe weather that battered parts of the province with strong winds, heavy rain and snowfall. The hardest hit area is the Ugu District on the South Coast, where over 80 homes were damaged and power outages persist. KZN Cogta Mec says Relief efforts are ongoing, with disaster teams on the ground. For more on this Senzelwe Mzila, spokes...