First Take SA

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Njabulo Nzuza says about 1,000 Malawian nationals camped outside Sherwood Hall in Durban have been processed and found to be in the country illegally. Congolese Solidarity Campaign President Reverend Raphael Bahebwa disputes this, saying most of the 400 refugees verified on Che Guevara Road hold valid documents. He adds those refugees were instructed this week to re...

A deadly crash on Steve Biko Road in Gezina, Pretoria, last month has led to allegations of police involvement in illegal street racing. 22-year-old Phillip Bezuidenhout, died when a Honda Ballade collided with another car during a drag race. AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit says new evidence suggests some SAPS officers may have organised or ignored weekly races at the site. The unit has submi...

Bafana Bafana opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign on a losing note. A nine men Bafana Bafana side  team lost 2-nil to co-hosts Mexico in the opening match of the tournament last night. South Africa conceded a goal in each half, and their bad record of failing to win their opening match of the World Cup continues. Bafana Bafana have now failed to win their opening match in four tournamen...

The Black Business Unity has raised concerns over growing illegal economic activity in South Africa's townships, informal settlements and urban canters. The group says unregulated trade is hurting compliant businesses, cutting government revenue and slowing local development. The BBU is calling for stronger enforcement of existing laws to protect legitimate operators. For more we're joined by Mich...

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

Scores of Nigerians have been repatriated from South Africa. Ahead of the departure, groups of Nigerian nationals gathered at their embassy in Pretoria for registration, documentation checks, and final travel arrangements. The process comes at a sensitive time, with migrant communities in South Africa facing heightened tensions and renewed debate around migration, safety, and integration. To help...

Victims of disasters in Impendle, KwaZulu-Natal are set to receive permanent houses after years in temporary shelters. KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma is expected to handover completed homes today. Over 2,400 houses have been finished so far, with more still under construction. MEC Duma joins us on the line...

Gauteng police are investigating a mass shooting at Jumpers informal settlement in Cleveland, Johannesburg. Twelve people were killed and at least nine others injured after heavily armed suspects opened fire on residents. Rise Mzansi has called for greater accountability and reform in the security sector. Rise Mzansi Joburg mayoral candidate, Lukhona Mnguni joins us now to discuss restoring safety...

Think Tank and Advocacy group Lex Libertas has written to Home Affairs Minister, Dr. Leon Schreiber over concerns about the proposed digital ID system. The group says thousands of public submissions have been received opposing the plan, citing risks around data security and oversight. Lex Libertas argues mandatory logging of verifications and broad powers for the Director-General could enable futu...

The ANCYL and other organisation will today picket at Cartrack's Rosebank office calling for Justice for Gcina Dhladhla who died at the vehicle tracking company. Twenty-nine-year-old Gcina reportedly collapsed and died in a bathroom cubicle. The cause of death is still pending a formal autopsy result. Organisers are calling for public solidarity with her family. We're joined now by Oscar Kanyane,...

Bafana Bafana face co-host Mexico in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup today in Mexico City. South African fans who arrived this week say they are confident ahead of the encounter. The match marks South Africa's return to the tournament's opening fixture on foreign soil. We're joined on the line now by South African legendary football superfan Joy Chauke, better known as Mama Joy

Anti-crime activist Yusuf Abramjee says threats to his life, laid bare at the Madlanga Commission will not deter his work. Court papers claim Tax Justice South Africa founder, Abramjee was threatened in WhatsApp messages involving senior police official Major-General Feroz Khan and tobacco figure Mohamed Sayed. The messages followed Abramjee's exposure of cigarette brands allegedly avoiding tax. H...

The Socio-Economic Rights Institute, SERI, ASF-UK and 1to1 Agency will hold a media workshop in Johannesburg's inner city on Thursday. The session will cover eviction laws and proposed changes to the PIE Act of 1998. Organisers say it aims to help journalists understand housing pressures and recent City of Johannesburg evictions. Reporting on urban housing and displacement will also be discussed....

The Refugee Appeals Authority says asylum seekers waiting outside Durban's refugee office should come forward to receive outstanding appeal notices. Officials launched a "priority backlog" drive on Monday to clear cases delayed for months. Hundreds of refugees are camping outside the centre after alleged attacks targeting undocumented foreign nationals. For more on this, we're joined by Refugee Ap...

The Afrika Mayibuye Movement has repeated its call for Crime Intelligence's Major-General Firoz Khan and Hawks officer Major-General Ebrahim Kadwa to be suspended. The two were arrested last month for allegedly releasing a businessman caught with unwrought gold. The Madlanga Commission also heard claims they interfered in the 2021 Aeroton drug bust probe. Court papers further allege WhatsApp messa...

African Unite Borders Bus Trucks Association, AUBBTA says some trade unions are failing to address unemployment for South African citizens. Chairperson Phumudzo Mukhwathi claims unions represent foreign nationals and ghost workers instead of local youth. He alleges some unions take bribes and benefit themselves during wage negotiations with employers. The association is urging government to hold u...

ActionSA in Gauteng says the South African Human Rights Commission's data that undocumented foreign nationals are not linked to hospital overcrowding does not reflect conditions in the province. Party MPL Emma More argues the Commission used Limpopo figures from 2022 to make a national claim, while Gauteng hospitals face severe capacity shortages daily. She joins us on the line

ActionSA has called on the Special Investigating Unit, SIU to urgently attach assets and recover public money linked to former Ekurhuleni City Manager Imogen Mashazi. The party says delays could undermine accountability in the matter. ActionSA also wants all payments to XET Solutions stopped immediately while investigations continue. It's asking that the issue be sent to oversight structures as a...

The Public Service Commission says public servants may not attend political party study groups outside official government processes. UDM leader General Bantu Holomisa welcomed the advisory, saying it confirms long-held concerns about impartiality in the public service. The Commission warns such meetings risk political bias, unequal access to state information and weaker parliamentary oversight. F...

The Chairperson of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa's plan to tighten immigration enforcement, saying Parliament must now ensure the strategy is fully implemented. Committee Chair Mosa Chabane said the President's announcement addresses concerns raised by South Africans about illegal migration and pressure on public services. He stressed that...

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...

President Cyril Ramaphosa says government will step up deportations and inspections of businesses employing undocumented migrants. He announced dedicated immigration courts, border security upgrades and plans to phase out green ID books for a digital ID system. Ramaphosa warned only police and officials may enforce immigration laws and said xenophobia has no place in South Africa. This follows rec...

A proudly South African brand is making waves in the business space, led by two young entrepreneurs determined to reshape their future and that of their communities. Omotergents was founded by 19-year-old twins, Omohau and Omolemo Mbileni, and has quickly grown from a shared dream into a purpose-driven enterprise. The company produces a range of affordable cleaning products while also empowering o...

Cabinet has adopted a new migration plan that sets quotas for foreign workers across sectors. The National Labour Migration Policy and Employment Services Amendment Bill will let the Minister cap employment of documented foreign nationals and prosecute employers hiring undocumented workers. Government will also register informal businesses and roll out a Spaza Shop Fund to support South African tr...

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa is reviewing content regulations that could affect community radio and independent creators. Solidarity has objected, saying the proposed rules may restrict content sharing and hit smaller broadcasters hardest. The union warns it could reduce diversity on the airwaves if restrictions go ahead. Solidarity Network Coordinator for Communication...