First Take SA

A top official at Kgosi Mampuru Prison is facing calls for immediate suspension following allegations of a close relationship with murder accused Vusimusi "Cat" Matlala. Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi told a parliamentary committee that Matlala received preferential treatment, including access to a cellphone. Matlala was recently transferred to a maximum-security prison in Kokstad. Activist...

The African Transformation Movement, ATM is calling for an investigation into the reported coronation of a Nigerian "king" in East London. The party says the move undermines South Africa's laws and traditional leadership institutions. ATM is urging authorities, including Premier Oscar Mabuyane and Home Affairs Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber, to look into the matter. The party's Parliamentary Leader,...

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

Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane has appointed law firm KRM Inc to investigate the death of 10-year-old Milton Neo Mokgoatsane, who was killed when a goal post fell on him at Reagile Primary School in Tembisa. The investigation will look into allegations surrounding the incident and recommend action. MEC Chiloane met with the family and school officials to outline the probe's terms. The law...

The City of Tshwane is facing fresh corruption allegations over 31-point-7 million Rand Water tanker contracts awarded to companies linked to Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise. Modise resigned as director of one company following the payments. DA mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink is also urging further investigation into the R777 million water project, which is already under scrutiny by the Special Invest...

Environment Minister, Willie Aucamp has decided to push ahead and rule on appeals against environmental authorisations for key offshore oil and gas exploration projects. The decision comes against a backdrop of sharply rising global oil prices fueled by ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Speaking at the Southern Africa Oil and Gas Conference in Cape Town, Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantash...

The Department of Home Affairs is facing pressure to insource over 4 years contracted workers who are part of the Digitisation Programme. Civic group Soil of Africa, representing the workers, says it's unfair for the department to downgrade these employees to insecure month-to-month contracts. The group is planning a march to the Department of Home Affairs and the Union Buildings today to demand p...

US President Donald Trump has slammed Counterterrorism Center's Director, Joe Kent following his resignation in protest of US military action against Iran. Trump called Kent "weak on security" and said he wasn't surprised by the criticism. Kent had claimed Iran wasn't a threat. He also accused Israel and its American lobby of deceiving President, Trump into the conflict. Elvis Presslin spoke to In...

The disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team again featured strongly during the second appearance of the National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, before the Ad Hoc Committee looking into concerns into issues of national security. Masemola first appeared in October last year, and he was the second witness to testify. The committee  is investigating allegations made by the...

A historic moment in UK–Africa relations is unfolding as Bola Tinubu arrives at Windsor Castle for a state visit, the first by a Nigerian leader in nearly four decades. The visit marks a significant step in strengthening ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, with growing trade, investment, and a large Nigerian diaspora linking the two nations. Experts say the visit could signal new op...

The South African Post Office, SAPO is facing possible liquidation, with Business Rescue Practitioners indicating they'll initiate proceedings. This comes after SAPO's business rescue plan failed to secure funding and implement a turnaround strategy. The collapse would have severe socio-economic implications, affecting millions of South Africans who rely on the Post Office for essential services....

It's now time to take a look at the current top African economic stories.....We are joined on the line by 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 

Civil society organisations are taking South African authorities back to court, accusing them of failing to protect foreign patients from vigilante groups targeting two Johannesburg clinics. The Treatment Action Campaign, Doctors Without Borders and Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia say authorities have not complied with a High Court order to restore safe access to the Yeoville and Rosettenville...

The United Democratic Movement, UDM is calling for stronger relations between South Africa and the United States, saying dialogue is crucial during times of strain. Party leader, General Bantu Holomisa, made the remarks during a meeting with US Ambassador to South Africa, Brent Bozell. Holomisa highlighted the need for cooperation on issues like the Middle East conflict and economic growth. He als...

Trade Unions representing workers at Ferrochrome producer, Samancor will engage the company in efforts to reduce the number of employees to be retrenched at the company's smelters. Samancor issued retrenchment notices, that envisages that 2400 employees might be retrenched at its smelter operations and corporate office. It cites electricity costs as the reason for its decision. This, though Eskom...

In a landmark divorce case, the Western Cape High Court has ruled a man must financially support his ex-wife's children, despite his role as a stepfather. Legal expert Nonhlanhla Mtshali spoke to my colleague Thembekile Mrototo, about what this judgement entails

The National Consumer Commission has issued a product recall for Made for Tots Corn Puffs Chicken 12g sold at Clicks stores. The recall affects just over a thousand units after the product tested positive for a non-pathogenic strain of Listeria. According to the supplier, about 348 units were sold to consumers while the rest have already been removed from store shelves. Consumers who may have boug...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has committed his administration to drastically reduce road fatalities. He was speaking at the Inaugural National Transport Conference in Midrand, north of Johannesburg. The three-day gathering attended by Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy, and her deputy, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, brought together decision-makers, investors and innovators to engage on how to build a sustainable...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has committed his administration to drastically reduce road fatalities. He was speaking at the Inaugural National Transport Conference in Midrand, north of Johannesburg. The three-day gathering attended by Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy, and her deputy, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, brought together decision-makers, investors and innovators to engage on how to build a sustainable...

A former Special Task Force member has appeared in court charged with murdering a key witness, raising concerns about the unit's integrity. Matipandile Sotheni, a trained sniper, is accused of killing Madlanga Commission whistleblower, Marius van der Merwe, also known as Witness D. Crime analysts say some task force members are being recruited by organised crime syndicates because of the skills th...

A Cape Town father and former teacher is calling for a major rethink of homework in South Africa. Joseph Nefdt has launched a petition titled "Stop all educational homework in South Africa," arguing that excessive homework is leaving many children overwhelmed and stressed. He spoke to Elvis Presslin 

The police in Limpopo say they are intensifying crime prevention efforts through Operation Shanela II, which recently led to the arrest of 27 suspects, including one in possession of dagga worth over R2 million in Hoedspruit. A 38-year-old foreign national was arrested shortly after entering the Hoedspruit Central Business District while driving a white bakkie. Upon searching the vehicle, police d...

The South African Democratic Teachers Union and the National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa, have raised concerns about governance and possible financial mismanagement at the Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority. They say the ETDP SETA Board opposed a controversial Marshalltown office lease over safety, compliance and cost conce...

The Congress of South African Trade Unions has rejected proposals to liquidate the South African Post Office, blaming the institution's crisis on the failures of its Business Rescue Practitioners. COSATU is now calling on the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies to approach the courts to remove the practitioners and appoint competent administrators to lead a turnaround of SAPO. El...

The South African National Defence Force has been deployed alongside the South African Police Service under Operation Prosper for 13 months, with more than 2,000 troops deployed nationwide. The operation, which was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, will focus on crime hotspots in the Free State, Gauteng, North West, Western Cape and Eastern Cape. The SANDF and SAPS held a joint media briefin...