First Take SA

Four suspects have been arrested for Wednesday's brutal killing of police officers at the Ngcobo police station, this according to Eastern Cape provincial police commissioner Major-General Liziwe Ntshinga. For the latest update Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Eastern Cape police spokesperson, Captain Khaya Tonjeni.

The UK government has issued a travel advisory for South Africa following the kidnapping of two Britons earlier this month in KwaZulu-Natal by a couple suspected of having links to the terrorist group ISIS. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to our correspondent in London, Paul Barber and defence analyst, Helmut Rohmer-Heitman.

Optimum Coal Mine workers in Mpumalanga, say their future is in limbo given the current financial problems at the mine. Workers handed over a memorandum of grievances to mine management demanding to be addressed about the future of the mine. It's alleged that some contractors at the Gupta-owned Optimum Coal mine have also not been paid. Earlier on we spoke to one of the mine workers at Optimum who...

Trade union federation Cosatu says its against raising the VAT rate and increasing income tax rates for working and middle class South Africans. Cosatu says government should not throw the working and middle classes under the bus with VAT and income tax hikes. The federation vows that will not support any attempt by government to balance budget shortfalls and deficits upon the backs of struggling...

The Democratic Alliance says Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba must not remedy the country's massive budget hole by reaching into the pockets of ordinary South African people, especially the poor. The DA says it has identified that tax increases are not necessary. DA Deputy Shadow Minister of Finance says government can implement expenditure cuts and sell off certain entities to save billions.

16:30 Econ Update with Dirk Pieters of FNB securities

Finance Minister, Malusi Gigaba has announced an increase in Value Added Tax to fifteen percent, which will be implemented from the 1st of April. This is the first increase in 25 years in order to cut the budget deficit and stabilise debt over the next three years. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Chief investment officer at Makwe Fund Managers Makwe Masilela...

17:30 Econ Update with Herman Lloyd of FNB securities.

The nationwide state of emergency in Ethiopia has entered its forth day. The Ethiopian government says the state of emergency will remain in place for six months. This is the second time in less than two years, the country declared a state of emergency. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to our correspondent in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Coletta Wanjohi..

16:30 Econ Update with Herman Lloyd of FNB securities.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says government's decision to institute a review of the configuration‚ the number and the size of national government departments will take a number of months. Replying to the debate on his maiden State of the Nation Address earlier on in parliament, Ramaphosa says changes of this nature will be based on a thorough analysis of the suitability and the costs of the existing...

The High Court in Pretoria has ruled that affected mining communities are relevant stakeholders' in the formulation of the new mining charter and should also be consulted. This, after Action Aid approached the court arguing that the department of Mineral Resources and the Chamber of mines always sideline them in discussions that affect mining communities. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Action Aid' Natu...

Officials at the OR Tambo International Airport say they had to evacuate people from the airport earlier today after an unattended bag was reported at one of the terminal buildings. For more on this we joined on the line by OR Tambo International airport spokesperson Leigh Gunkel-Keuler

17:30 Econ Update with Francios Smith of FNB securities.

Time now for our weekly edition of TRENDSWATCH where we take a look at news that dominated social media this week. Our producer Molebogeng Sebidi has more…

16:30 Econ Update with Francios Smith of FNB securities.

Two print media companies have agreed to pay millions of rands in fines after admitting to participating in price fixing and fixing of trading conditions. Caxton & CTP Publishers and Printers, and Independent Media concluded consent agreements with the Competition Commission today. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to the Head of communication at the Competition Commission, Sipho Ngwema

President Cyril Ramaphosa will be delivering his first State of the Nation Address (SONA). Parliament says close to one-thousand-200 guests from various sectors of society have been invited to attend this evening's address by Ramaphosa. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to our parliamentary Correspondent, Mercedes Besent and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Lechesa Tsenoli.

As per usual on a Friday we end off with music, on our regular feature Open Mic. Today we profile Sophiatown a multi-instrumentalists duo. Their music combines Jazz, Maskandi, electro, R&B as well as ballad music. Ronald Phiri spoke to Tenor, one of the members of Sophiatown...

Stocks on the JSE ended today's trading session exceptionally higher, after Cyril Ramaphosa was sworn in by parliament as the new president of South Africa. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Maudi Lentsoane, who is the CEO of Lehumo Investments.

17:30 Econ Update with Dirk Pieters of FNB securities.

Eight suspects facing charges of alleged fraud, corruption, theft and money laundering have appeared in the Bloemfontein Regional court. The accused are Free State Agriculture head Peter Thabethe, former Oakbay chief executive Nazeem Howa, Varun Gupta, Ashu Chalwa, Ronica Ragavan and Kamal Vasrum. The other two are Free State Agriculture department Chief Financial Officer Dr Tikisi Masiteng and Sy...

ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa has been sworn in as the President of the country. This follows the resignation of Jacob Zuma last night. Ramaphosa was sworn in by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to research professor at the University of Johannesburg, Professor Steven Friedman

16:30 Econ Update with Dirk Pieters of FNB securities.

Several politicals parties have welcomed the election of ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa s the President of the country. Ramaphosa was elected unopposed by the National Assembly. The election of Ramaphosa follows the resignation of Jacob Zuma last night. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to IFP Chief Whip, Narend Singh, COPE leader, Mosiua Lekota and FF PLUS Leader, Dr Pierter Groenwald