First Take SA

The City of Johannesburg will today begin verifying and registering informal traders who were removed from the city center. The High Court ordered the City to allocate trading stands for vendors based on availability, subject to verification processes, to ensure compliance with city bylaws. Elvis Presslin spoke to City of Joburg spokesperson, Nthatisi Modingoane

The Government of National Unity, GNU has concluded a two-day retreat in Gauteng, where leaders from 10 parties reaffirmed their commitment to the coalition. The GNU members led by President Cyril Ramaphosa held a private meeting at the Cradle Boutique Hotel in Krugersdorp. The leaders used the gathering to address internal differences and recommit to the coalition's objectives. Elvis Presslin spo...

Two female security guards were attacked at a clinic in Xhwili village in the Eastern Cape. One was allegedly murdered, while the other, who was shot in the head,and is in hospital. The women were allegedly kidnapped and raped before being left in a field. For more information Elvis Presslin spoke to Health MEC Ntandokazi Capa's spokesperson, Camagwini Mavovana

The Independent Financial Advisors Forum, IFAF, has withdrawn its legal challenge against the City of Johannesburg. The decision comes after the Council of Medical Schemes reaffirmed that medical aid members have the right to choose their own broker. IFAF had argued the city's tender process, which would have appointed a single medical aid brokerage provider, violated this right. With this develop...

Police are bolstering their presence in Reiger Park, Ekurhuleni after a deadly shooting claimed six lives and left three injured. National Police Commissioner General Fanie Masemola met with senior officers and community leaders to discuss the response. The area is on high alert as police hunt for suspects who opened fire indiscriminately before fleeing. Elvis Presslin spoke to ActionSA Member of...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has convened a closed-door meeting with leaders of the Government of National Unity (GNU) in Krugersdorp, West of Johannesburg. The talks aim to resolve recent disagreements and accusations within the coalition. The GNU Clearing House, led by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, was established earlier this year to iron out policy differences among the 10 parties. Elvis Press...

The City of Tshwane has reported an increase in typhoid cases in some areas. According to Mayor Dr. Nasiphi Moya, tests on the city's water supply haven't shown a link to the cases. She says the city is working with national authorities to determine the source of the outbreak and will continue regular water testing. Elvis Presslin spoke to the Health Departmental Spokesperson, Foster Mohale

Thousands of workers from across South Africa are set to march to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure in Pretoria today. The workers, part of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and Community Work Programme (CWP), are demanding justice, payment, and dignity. They're being led by the Maanda Ashu Workers Union of South Africa (MAWUSA), an associate member of the Afrika Mayibuye...

Taxi bosses in Gauteng are living in fear after a surge in murders, including the recent killing of the Alexandra Randburg Midrand Sandton Taxi Association, ARMSTA, chairperson and his bodyguard. This follows the murder of Gauteng National Taxi Association chairperson Thami Moyo last month. The incidents have raised concerns about tensions in the taxi industry, just months after several rival taxi...

The United Democratic Movement, UDM has slammed President Cyril Ramaphosa's celebration of South Africa's removal from the Financial Action Task Force greylist saying it's "tone deaf" and ignores the struggles of ordinary citizens. The party's statement comes after the latest Afrobarometer findings showed nearly half of South Africans would not oppose military rule and seven in ten are frustrated...

Residents of Johannesburg are set to march to the City Council Chambers tomorrow (Saturday) to demand action over the city's water crisis. They say the situation has become a human rights and economic emergency, affecting hospitals, schools and small businesses. Dr. Ferrial Adam, Executive Manager of WaterCAN, joins us to discuss the crisis and the residents' demands...

A protected witness testified before the Madlanga Commission yesterday alleging that murder-accused businessman Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala spent half a million rand on flights, hotels and other expenses for Minister Senzo Mchunu's delegates to the ANC's January 8th event in Cape Town. Matlala reportedly told police the payments were to support Mchunu's bid for a top ANC position. Mchunu, who has been...

The ANC in Gauteng is fighting back after coalition partners filed a motion of no-confidence against Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero. The party says the move is opportunistic and aimed at destabilizing progress. The motion was brought by the UDM, Al Jamah, ATM, and AHC, who cite Morero's alleged interference in administrative processes and failure to implement key decisions. The ANC says it won't b...

The Gauteng Department of Education has been accused of acting unlawfully by announcing late funding cuts for Quintile 5 schools. The Democratic Alliance says the move will cause financial pressure for parents and may lead to significant fee increases. The party is considering legal action to reverse the decision, which it claims is invalid and reckless. The department had previously topped up fun...

Hawks Section Head Brigadier Lesiba Mokoena faced tough questions yesterday over his unit's role in last December's raid on controversial figure Katiso "KT" Molefe's Sandhurst home in Johannesburg. Witnesses at the Madlanga Commission claim the Hawks disrupted the police operation. Mokoena insists the Hawks were there to prevent any impersonation of officers. Elvis Presslin spoke to Security Strat...

The North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has reserved judgment in a case between the Information Regulator and the Department of Basic Education over the publication of matric results. The Regulator is seeking clarity on whether the DBE's method of publishing results complies with the Protection of Personal Information Act. The court heard arguments from both sides and will deliver its judgment at...

ActionSA has tabled the Election Integrity Bill, aimed at regulating political opinion polling to protect the integrity of South Africa's electoral democracy. The proposed legislation seeks to prevent the dissemination of unverifiable or manipulated data and ensure transparency in political polling. Currently, South Africa lacks specific laws governing political opinion polling, unlike countries s...

The South African Weather Service has dismissed allegations of corruption and governance failure as "unfounded" and "misleading". The entity is currently engaged in a wage dispute with a labour union operating within the organisation, which SAWS says is behind some of the claims. The entity's Executive Management is accused of procurement manipulation, financial mismanagement, unchecked executive...

Members of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) are staging a sit-in at the Baviaanspoort Correctional Centre in Pretoria. The action follows the alleged victimisation of union representatives, including the suspension of the POPCRU Chairperson and intimidation of shop stewards. The union is demanding the release of arrested members, an end to intimidation and the reinstatement of it...

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the military to carry out immediate strikes in Gaza, citing a ceasefire violation by Hamas. Netanyahu's office says Hamas returned remains to Israel that did not belong to any of the 13 unaccounted hostages, constituting a "clear violation" of the ceasefire agreement. Elvis Presslin spoke to Naeem Jeenah, Researcher at the Mapungubwe Institute...

The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng says it will not beg for support in its upcoming motion of no confidence against Premier Panyaza Lesufi. The motion stems from the failed Amapanyaza crime prevention programme in the province, which the DA says was poorly planned and unlawful. Elvis Presslin spoke to DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Community Safety, Crezane Bosch

The Labour Court has ruled in favour of workers at ArcelorMittal South Africa, ordering the company to reinstate employees who were unfairly retrenched. The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, NUMSA, took the company to court after ArcelorMittal proceeded with dismissals despite ongoing negotiations with the Industrial Development Corporation to purchase the company. The court has orde...

The Socio-Economic Right Institute of South Africa (SERI) is taking the City of Johannesburg to court today over the removal of informal traders in parts of the city. In recent weeks, the municipality has implemented its clean-up and by-law enforcement programme as part of reclaiming the city. The initiative has also seen City officials embarking on a new registration system aimed at regulating th...

The GOOD Party has laid criminal charges against Western Cape MECs and senior officials for allegedly tabling falsely balanced provincial budgets ahead of last year's general election. The party claims the MECs presented a rosy picture of the province's finances, only to later declare a R3.8 billion budget shortfall. A dossier of evidence has been submitted to the police and the party says this is...