First Take SA

Global research released during Responsible Gambling Awareness Month shows online betting operators are relying more heavily on technology to protect vulnerable players. The study by gaming software firm SOFTSWISS identifies three key trends now reaching South Africa's booming online gambling sector. Artificial intelligence systems are being used to detect harmful betting patterns in real time, re...

Alleged cartel member Vusimuzi Matlala has revealed details of his dealings with former Police Minister Bheki Cele, telling Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee that Cele received money and favours from him. Matlala says Cele's wife was also involved and they've attended social events together. The revelations are part of an investigation into national security concerns. Elvis Presslin spoke to Crime exp...

The Democratic Alliance, DA will lay criminal charges against MK Party MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla for allegedly recruiting South Africans to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war. 17 citizens are reportedly trapped in Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict. The party alleges Zuma-Sambudla played a role in luring the men to fight and is calling for a police investigation and potential prosecution. Elvis Pres...

Gauteng High Court judge Portia Phahlane and the leader of the Jerusalem faction of the International Pentecost Holiness Church, Michael Sandlana appeared in court yesterday on charges of corruption and money laundering. Prosecutors allege Sandlana paid millions of rands in bribes to Judge Phahlane while she was hearing the church's bitter leadership succession dispute. Both accused were released...

The City of Johannesburg has launched a new Debt Relief Programme to help residents and businesses who are battling to pay their municipal bills. Under the plan, struggling ratepayers can settle outstanding water, lights and rates accounts with big discounts and some debts will be written off completely if certain conditions are met. Elvis Presslin spoke to the city of Joburg MMC for Finance, Loyi...

The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, CSVR has strongly condemned the kidnapping of 315 schoolgirls and female teachers from St Mary's Catholic School in north-central Nigeria. Gunmen stormed the school over the weekend and took the girls and staff away. No group has claimed responsibility yet. The CSVR says this is another brutal attack on the safety and dignity of women and gi...

A national campaign has been launched to combat gender-based violence in South Africa, coinciding with the 16 Days of Activism against women and children. The One Million Voices Campaign Against GBV is distributing a book titled "Understanding & Combatting Gender-Based Violence: A Call to Ubuntu and Action" by Gender activisit and UNISA Professor Motsamai Molefe, which explores the roots of vi...

Murder-accused businessman Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala will testify before Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee investigating police corruption following an earlier request to postpone the proceedings. Matlala had requested a postponement citing poor prison conditions and concerns over his health. Matlala is now expected to take the stand at 11 O'clock this morning. Elvis Presslin spoke to South African Priso...

Former Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department Chief David Tembe has died aged 71. He was found unresponsive at his home in Johannesburg and the cause of death is not yet known. Elvis Presslin spoke to his daughter, Tokiso Molefe

ActionSA is demanding the prosecution of former Road Accident Fund, RAF CEO Collins Letsoalo after he refused to testify before Parliament about financial mismanagement at the Fund. Letsoalo is accused of ignoring a summons to answer questions about the fund's R400 billion debt and allegations of misuse of funds. The opposition party says Letsoalo's decision is a direct challenge to Parliament's a...

Civil society groups in South Africa have launched a high court application to force authorities to stop what they call xenophobic vigilantes blocking access to healthcare facilities in Gauteng. The groups, including Médecins Sans Frontières and the Treatment Action Campaign, say patients are being turned away from clinics due to their nationality or lack of identity documents. They'...

A new report warns that South Africa is at risk of missing out on a multi-billion-dollar economic opportunity unless it expands its offshore oil and gas industry. The report highlights discoveries off the southern coast, including TotalEnergies' Brulpadda and Luiperd fields and argues that the Orange Basin geology could transform South Africa's economy. The report projects that a single developmen...

Detained businessman Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala is set to testify before Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee today. The committee will also hear evidence from two senior police officials, SAPS CFO Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane and Deputy National Commissioner for Policing Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili. Elvis Presslin spoke to Security Strategist and retired Interpol Ambassador, Andy Mashaile

The Democratic Alliance, DA has launched an investigation into a public feud between party leader John Steenhuisen and federal finance chairperson Dion George. The party's federal executive meeting on Sunday decided to probe the matter, with a gag order reportedly issued to prevent further public comment. The row follows reports that George lost his ministerial post after refusing a demotion to de...

The Department of Basic Education has launched new Grade 4 assessments designed to improve foundational learning. The assessments are aligned with the Mother Tongue-Based Bilingual Education Framework and will be conducted in both home languages and English. This dual-language approach is expected to provide a clearer picture of learner progress and help educators target support more effectively....

The National Prosecuting Authority's Men Ambassadors are hosting a silent picket in Pretoria today to mark the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV campaign. Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Anton du Plessis will deliver a keynote address at the event, which aims to show the NPA's commitment to combating Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. 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

Parliament has exposed a chaotic licensing system that leaves South African spaza owners struggling while foreign-owned shops benefit from lax enforcement. MPs revealed that locals face confiscations and red tape, yet foreign traders receive most approved licenses. The Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development has heard that the Spaza Shop Support Fund has barely reached appli...

Parliament's standing committee on appropriations has written to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, seeking clarity on the costs of hosting this weekend's G20 Leaders Summit. Committee chair Dr. Mmusi Maimane says the committee wants to ensure public funds were managed prudently, as hosting the summit served as an opportunity for South Africa to showcase itself to the world. Dr. Maimane spoke to E...

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, has welcomed the decision to classify Gender-Based Violence and Femicide as a national disaster. The National Disaster Management Centre concluded that GBV meets the threshold of a potential disaster, citing persistent and immediate life-safety risks. The classification calls on all government departments to stren...

The South African Police Service has confirmed that Ms Nkosazana Bonganini Zuma - Mncube has opened a criminal case at the Sandton police station against Ms Duduzile Zuma, Ms Siphokasi Xuma and Mr Blessing Khosa. The case is in relation to seventeen South African men who are allegedly trapped in the Ukraine/Russian War. Ms Mncube claims the men were lured to Russia under false pretences and handed...

The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) says it congratulates the Republic of South Africa for hosting exceptionally well, the historic G20 Summit in Johannesburg. The youth league says the Summit is groundbreaking, not only because it was held on African soil under South Africa's capable leadership, but also because it has remained steadfast and focused despite deliberate attempts by U...

Global and local partners are intensifying efforts to eliminate cervical cancer in South Africa. A high-level policy dialogue at the G20 Social Summit brought together government leaders, experts and NGOs to share best practices and strengthen collective action. Cervical cancer is one of the country's most pressing public health threats and the WHO has set a 2030 goal to eliminate the disease. Elv...

The Gauteng Liquor Traders Association is calling for urgent action to resolve the province's shebeen permit crisis. Thousands of township businesses and jobs are at risk due to delays and regulatory contradictions. Shebeen permits were meant to be a temporary measure to help informal traders enter the formal economy, but six years after a court order, the issue remains unresolved. Elvis Presslin...

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