First Take SA

Israel and Switzerland have become the latest countries to confirm cases of monkeypox, bringing the total number of nations reporting outbreaks to 14. More than 80 cases have been confirmed in the recent outbreak in Europe, the US, Canada, and Australia. The World Health Organization says another 50 suspected cases are being investigated and warned that more infections are likely to be confirmed....

The Foreign Press Association Africa has expressed its displeasure against media outlets using images of black people alongside stories of the Monkeypox outbreak in America and Europe. The association says it condemns the perpetuation of this negative stereotype that assigns calamity to the African race and privilege or immunity to other races. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Kennedy Wan...

The Portfolio Committee on police has adopted a report on the Criminal Law Forensic Procedure Amendment Bill. When enacted the Bill will see mandatory DNA samples taken from inmates convicted of crimes under schedule 8 offenses which include rape, murder, human trafficking, robbery, and culpable homicide. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Ian Cameron, the Director for Community Safety at A...

The alleged Stellenbosch University student rapist, who was arrested yesterday (Thursday) morning, is out on 1-thousand rand bail. The National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed that the student made a brief appearance in the Stellenbosch Magistrate's Court on two counts of rape. His case was postponed until 29 June 2022 for further investigation.  This, as students at the University, have...

The Reserve Bank has after a meeting of its Monetary Policy Committee decided to increase the repo rate by 50 basis points. The bank revised its headline inflation forecast to 5.9 percent from 5.8. Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago defended the MPC's decision to hike rates by 50 basis points by arguing that the bank cannot act when inflationary pressures are out of control. The increase also...

Time to take a look at the current top African economic stories with 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

Rape and murder accused Abraham Mtsweni is expected to know his fate in the Western Cape High Court next week. Mtsweni - a Pastor's son, stands accused of raping and killing his girlfriend, Sesi Sibanyoni, inside her flat in Maitland, Cape Town in July 2019. For more on the trial, Elvis Presslin spoke to Advocate Jonas Sibanyoni, the father of Sesi Sibanyoni

Two former City of Ekurhuleni officials and a businessman have been jailed for tender fraud, corruption, and money laundering. The two former officials; Nilesh Singh, Andrew Mphushomadi, and businessman Velero David were sentenced and convicted yesterday for an I.T tender fraud amounting to 21-point-8 million rands. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Kaizer Kganyago, Spokesperson for the Sp...

The Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs says more than 60 municipalities have been deemed dysfunctional and 100 or more others in danger due to financial distress. Speaking at the budget tabling in Parliament, Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said about 43 municipalities need to be put under mandatory administration. To further discuss this Elvis Presslin spoke to Independent...

The office of the Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has laid charges against the City of Johannesburg over the appointment of Head of Anti-Corruption Unit Shadrack Sibiya. The Public Protector has accused the city of concealing critical information with regard to Sibiya's appointment to the unit. To further discuss this Elvis Presslin spoke to City of Johannesburg Mayoral Spokesperson, Mabine Se...

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) says the 300 million rand remuneration package paid by Sibanye Stillwater to its Chief Executive Officer CEO, Neal Froneman, is a typical indicator of why the wage gap between workers and directors is wide. Neal Froneman has meanwhile defended the payment, saying the package consists mostly of long-term share incentives and the process was trans...

Great North Transport employees have reportedly been left high and dry as they found out that over R300 Million in their pension funds have disappeared. The company is reported to have failed to pay their contributions to the pension fund administrators for over 17 years even though they were deducting from employees salaries. About 800 employees are said to be affected by the money loss. To furth...

The South African government is reportedly planning to donate a quarter of a billion Rands instead of the initially reported 50 million to Cuba. This was revealed after Afriforum's legal team requested the court record as part of its review application case against the R50 million Cuba donation. Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance, DA says they will write to the Auditor-General of South Africa, Tsa...

Stellenbosch University has suspended a white student caught on video urinating on a black peer's belongings. The Incident captured on a cellphone reportedly happened in the Huis Marais residence on the University's campus at the weekend. Stellenbosch University say they "strongly condemn the destructive, hurtful and racist incident". Students have since been protesting against racism at the Insti...

The Automobile Association (AA) says petrol is expected to Increase drastically by up to R1.97 a litre and diesel by up to R1.62 a litre in June. When we speak about fuel hikes, the focus is predominantly on the Impact it will have on motorists and commuters, but what impact does this eminent hike have on Indivdiuals or businesses in the fuel industry, particulary someone who owns a fuel station?...

A report by the University of Johannesburg's Centre for Sociological Research and Practice has revealed that black working-class communities are bearing the burden of the current electricity crisis. Titled 'Energy Racism: The Electricity Crisis in South Africa',  the report found that load reduction predominantly affects townships, with the power going off anywhere from two hours to an entire...

Time to take a look at the current top African economic stories with 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...

Tributes continue to pour in for multi-award-winning Gospel musician, Deborah Fraser who passed away yesterday after battling diabetes for years. She died at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto. She suffered a stroke a few weeks ago. Fraser was popularly known for her first solo album, Abanye Bayombona. Elvis Presslin spoke to gospel musician mama Lusanda Mcinga, a friend and former coll...

The Public Servants Association will embark on a strike next week over wage disputes with the South African Revenue Service, SARS. The union is demanding an Inflation increase plus a 7% increase to be applied across the board. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to the Acting Provincial Manager for the Johannesburg office of the Public Servants Association, Stefan Viljoen.

The National Prosecuting Authority says the death of the first witness to arrive at the Senzo Meyiwa murder scene will not jeopardize the prosecution. The NPA says several other witnesses will give relevant evidence on the merits of the case, and they are confident that there's sufficient evidence to ensure a successful prosecution in the case. Retired former provisional head of SAPS Brigadier Phi...

The Department of Higher Education and Training says it is committed to financially supporting students from poor and working-class backgrounds. Tabling the Department's Budget Vote yesterday, Minister Dr. Blade Nzimande says this will include funding reprioritized from the Departmental budget, to ensure that the full shortfall for NSFAS is addressed to support students during the 2022 academic ye...

Pan African Mall Stall owners are reported to have lost thousands in stock and damages from a recent fire in Alexandra, Johannesburg. Investigations into the fire that gutted stalls are still underway. About eight stores that allegedly belonged to Operation Dudula members were set alight. To further discuss this Elvis Presslin spoke to Operation Dudula Secretary General, Zandile Dabula

Kimberley residents have been left with no water supply for the next few days. The Sol Plaatje municipality says the shutdown is to allow the municipality to deal with growing water leaks and other maintenance issues. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to SABC reporter in Kimberly, Katleho Morapela...

Time to take a look at the current top African economic stories with 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...

The Wildebeesfontein Evaton Community Association says the demolishing of houses, by a private company, yesterday in Beverly Hills in the Vaal, south of Gauteng, was illegal. Footage of houses being demolished surfaced in the media where it was reported that the houses were built on privately owned land. But to tell us about this story Elvis Presslin spoke to the chairperson of the association And...