First Take SA

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 unanimously adopted a motion to establish a comprehensive inquiry into the violent crime crisis in Cape Town. The Economic Freedom Fighters, EFF party initiated the motion, citing evidence of rampant gang violence, mass shootings and policing failures in the region. The inquiry will be led by the Portfolio Committee on Police, in collaboration with other security cluster committees....

A proposed 20% online gambling tax has sparked concerns it will drive gamblers to illegal operators and undermine consumer protection. The tax, part of National Treasury's plans, is being criticized for its potential impact on the industry and job losses. Garron Whitesman, a leading expert in gambling law, told our Senior Producer Ronald Phiri that the proposal is "constitutionally unacceptable" a...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned a disinformation campaign affecting South Africa's relations with the US. Addressing the nation last night, Ramaphosa said the US administration's stance has been influenced by false information spread by groups and individuals in South Africa and abroad. He warns this is harming the country's interests, costing jobs and damaging ties with a key partner.&nbs...

Police have arrested another suspect in connection with allegations that several South Africans were recruited to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war. The suspect is due to appear in court in Kempton Park today, along with four others facing similar charges. The Hawks' Crimes Against the State unit is investigating the case. For more we're now joined by Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale...

The ANC Youth League has slammed reports claiming moves are underway to recall President Cyril Ramaphosa. The League says the claims are an attempt to create instability ahead of the ANC's National General Council. ANCYL National Spokesperson, Zama Khanyase joined us on the line

President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned a disinformation campaign affecting South Africa's relations with the US. Addressing the nation last night, Ramaphosa said the US administration's stance has been influenced by false information spread by groups and individuals in South Africa and abroad. He warns this is harming the country's interests, costing jobs and damaging ties with a key partner. For...

South Africa has hit back at US President Donald Trump's decision to bar the country from the 2026 G20 Summit in Miami. President Cyril Ramaphosa described Trump's comments as "regrettable" and based on "misinformation". The controversy stems from South Africa hosting the G20 Summit in Johannesburg earlier this year, which was hailed as a success. The US boycotted the event, citing alleged human r...

A damning report by the South African Human Rights Commission has revealed systemic racial discrimination in the allocation of state-owned land in Hartbeespoort, North West province. The investigation found that black applicants were consistently sidelined for over a decade, with only one black male granted a lease out of 78 applications. The report states that white occupants retained and even ex...

National Coloured Congress MP Fadiel Adams has laid criminal charges of fraud and corruption against former Police Minister Bheki Cele and KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The charges follow allegations by Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, who claims he paid Cele R500,000 to recover seized firearms. Matlala also alleges a meeting was arranged between Cele and Mkhwanazi, where Mkhwanazi...

The Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences, AARTO Act is set to be implemented in July next year, but concerns have been raised about its enforcement on foreign nationals driving in South Africa. The AARTO system focuses on individual driver behaviour and aims to improve road safety through a demerit points system. However, one of our listeners raised questions about how foreign truc...

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...