First Take SA

South Africa's latest employment figures have once again raised alarm over the country's jobs crisis. Statistics South Africa's second-quarter 2026 Quarterly Labour Force Survey shows the official unemployment rate rising to 33.6%, with 345,000 more people joining the ranks of the unemployed, while total employment fell to around 16.7 million. RISE Mzansi argues that these figures are evidence tha...

The City of Johannesburg says it cannot directly employ 385 casual Pikitup workers because they are contracted through a service provider. Deputy Mayor Loyiso Masuku says the City has a Service Level Agreement with that company and negotiations are ongoing to resolve the waste collection strike that has left rubbish piling up across the city. 

Parliament says its ICT records do not support claims by National Coloured Congress MP Fadiel Adams that his parliamentary laptop was persistently faulty for 18 months. Mr Adams told the Madlanga Commission yesterday the device had repeatedly frozen and delayed his access to correspondence. Parliament spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo elaborates. We also spoke to Dr. Bongani Nkosi, Criminal Law expert...

The Government is proposing sweeping changes to close loopholes in mining law with harsher penalties for illegal operations. Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi says the General Mining Laws Amendment Bill will make illicit mining and related activities criminal offences. The bill proposes fines of up to R100 million and jail terms of up to 30 years and amends the Diamonds Act, Precious Metals Act an...

The National Employers' Association of South Africa, NEASA has raised concern over unannounced blitz inspections at businesses by some Ministers, Deputy Ministers and politicians with camera crews. The employers' body says only labour inspectors and immigration officers are permitted to enter premises to enforce labour, immigration and workplace safety laws. This follows reports of politicians det...

The Democratic Alliance is calling for due process following the arrest of Patriotic Alliance Cape Town mayoral candidate Cheslyn Daniels and his wife Deveney for alleged assault. Police detained the pair over allegations of assault involving Daniels' former wife. The DA says no political office should place anyone above the law and is questioning the PA's candidate selection ahead of local electi...

South Africa's unemployment crisis is deepening, with the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey showing the official unemployment rate rising to 33.6%, while the expanded rate stands at 43.8%. A further 345,000 people have joined the ranks of the unemployed, while overall employment has declined. COSATU says these figures are more than just statistics, they are evidence of an economic crisis that d...

The United Democratic Movement in the Western Cape is calling for an urgent, coordinated crackdown on organized crime following a deadly weekend of shootings in Langa, Gugulethu and Khayelitsha that left eleven people dead. The party says repeated condemnations are no longer enough, warning that gangsterism, illegal firearms, drugs and extortion have evolved into a deeply entrenched criminal econo...

A known gangster out on bail has been taken in for questioning following the brutal murder of two Gauteng Anti-Gang Unit constables and two civilian women in Reiger Park, Boksburg. A high-level, multi-disciplinary police team made the breakthrough on Sunday following intense weekend tracing operations at the KwaDukathole informal settlement in Germiston. Law enforcement teams recovered two stolen...

The government is warning the public to remain vigilant as adverse weather conditions trigger widespread travel disruptions across multiple provinces. The National Disaster Management Centre is monitoring high-risk zones. Motorists have been advised to postpone non-essential long-distance travel, respect all official road closures and keep vulnerable people and livestock sheltered from the extreme...

The ANC in Gauteng is mourning the sudden death of its provincial spokesperson, Mzikayifani Elias Khumalo, who passed away at the age of 54 yesterday. Khumalo reportedly collapsed at his home in Ruimsig, Johannesburg and later passed away in hospital. For more on Mr. Khumalo's life and Journey into politics we spoke to Sochayile 'Socks' Khanyile, Provincial Coordinator of the ANC Gauteng Provincia...

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

The Casual Workers Advice Office says it is seeing a surge in xenophobia against migrant workers, with hundreds allegedly dismissed, underpaid or denied basic labour protections. The non-profit organization reports that even workers with valid permits are being pushed out of jobs and many who have contributed for years cannot access UIF. We spoke to Casual Workers Advice Office Organiser, Andile N...

The Congress of the People, COPE is calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to fire suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, saying evidence before the Madlanga Commission has destroyed confidence in his leadership. The party points to testimony on alleged interference in criminal investigations and the disbanding of the Political Killings Task Team. COPE says it paints a disturbing picture of politic...

Cooperative Governance Minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa is expected to legally proclaim the election date today. The formal proclamation will firmly lock in the 4th of November as the date voters head to the ballot box. In the same breath, the IEC has confirmed online voter registration will remain open until midnight today. We spoke to  Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs...

The KwaZulu Natal Political Killings Task Team has taken over the investigation into the fatal shooting of an ANC councillor in Durban. Sibusiso Khwela, who represented Ward 17 in eThekwini, was killed in Klaarwater yesterday. The Acting National Commissioner, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane says specialist detectives are already on the ground. Authorities say their priority is to identify and a...

Defend Our Democracy is urging all eligible South Africans to register or update their details online before today's midnight deadline. This as Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, COGTA Minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa will today officially proclaim the election date for the 2026 Local Government Elections. We spoke to Wade Manning, Executive Director at Defend Our Democracy.

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

The Congress of South African Trade Unions is warning of a crisis in KwaZulu-Natal, as commuter bus companies threaten to halt operations over unpaid government subsidies. Several major operators say they have not received payments from the provincial Department of Transport since April, despite contractual obligations. With reserves now depleted and rising fuel costs adding pressure, services tha...

Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi and four co-accused are expected in the Brakpan Magistrate's Court today.   They were arrested yesterday in connection with the alleged murder and disappearance of Emmanuel Mbense in April 2022. Police allege Mbense was abducted, tortured and his body dumped in the Spaarwater Dam near Nigel. Speaking to our Senior producer Ronald...

The South African Local Government Association, SALGA has welcomed Cabinet's decision to send the Municipal Structures Amendment Bill to Parliament. Commonly called the "Coalition Bill", it aims to bring more stability, transparency and accountability to municipal coalitions. Coalition-led councils have jumped from 27 after the 2016 elections to 70 after 2021, making them a key feature of local go...

The Madlanga Commission has heard allegations of a plan to get suspended National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola to make false statements to Parliament, so he could later face perjury charges. The claim was made on Wednesday by State Advocate Drushantha Ramsamy of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, IDAC. Ramsamy also testified about alleged involvement by Police Minister Senzo...

South Africa's diplomatic credibility is under scrutiny following confusion around former President Jacob Zuma's recent trip to India. International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola briefed the media on the High Commission's role, but the DA says the briefing raised more questions than answers. The DA accuses DIRCO of "muddying the waters" and wants clarity on who authorised Zuma's reception and w...

South Africa's fight against gender-based violence and femicide is back under scrutiny over who gets a seat at the table. The South African Federation of Trade Unions, SAFTU has raised concerns after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the new National Council on GBVF, saying organised labour was completely left out. The federation argues trade unions deal daily with workplace harassment and abuse...

The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has set aside the suspension of Public Investment Corporation CEO Patrick Dlamini, ruling it was unlawful and invalid. The judgement found the former PIC board acted without Ministerial and Cabinet approval and costs were awarded against the asset manager. Dlamini's return comes as Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says Treasury is reviewing the future of the PIC...