First Take SA

A number of South Africans who arrived in the United States as refugees since May last year are now reportedly heading back home. Many had fled in 2025, citing government-backed racial discrimination and persecution targeting the Afrikaner community. President Trump granted them priority refugee status February last year. AfriForum says the underlying problems that drove them away still have not b...

South Africa's Department of International Relations has summoned US Ambassador, Leo Brent Bozell the Third for a formal demarche after he labelled the "Kill the Boer" chant hate speech at a recent event in Hermanus, Western Cape. DIRCO says the public comments breached diplomatic protocol and disrespected South African sovereignty. The ambassador later clarified on X that his personal view aligns...

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron has raised concerns about the deployment of the South African National Defence Force troops in Gauteng. Cameron says footage from Eldorado Park, Westbury and Riverlea shows soldiers arresting civilians, with no police in sight. He wants answers on the command structure and rules of engagement. The military is supporting police in th...

The South African Medical Association Trade Union, SAMATU will today march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to demand urgent action on the country's youth unemployment crisis. The COSATU affiliate says the jobless rate for those aged 15 to 24 now exceeds 70%, describing it as a "ticking timebomb" threatening national stability and growth. Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr Talente Biyela, the Chairperso...

Police in the Eastern Cape have uncovered an 11 member syndicate allegedly involved in 62 insurance-related murders. The suspects insured family members and vulnerable individuals before killing them for payouts. Similar arrests were made in Limpopo, where five suspects were nabbed in connection with insurance killings and fraud linked to former police officer Rachel Kutumela. Elvis Presslin spoke...

Police have raided multiple properties linked to businessman Calvin Mathibeli in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Gauteng as part of a tender fraud investigation. The move follows a Durban High Court order for Mathibeli to retract statements alleging corruption by KZN Provincial Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mathibeli was accused of making defamatory claims about Mkhwanazi. The police operati...

Police have raided multiple properties linked to businessman Calvin Mathibeli in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Gauteng as part of a tender fraud investigation. The move follows a Durban High Court order for Mathibeli to retract statements alleging corruption by KZN Provincial Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mathibeli was accused of making defamatory claims about Mkhwanazi. The police operati...

ActionSA has blamed the Government of National Unity (GNU) for South Africa's stagnant economy, citing a mere 0.4% growth in the fourth quarter of 2025 and 1.1% for the full year. The party argues that the GNU has failed to present a credible plan to lift the country out of its low-growth trap, leading to declining living standards and increased poverty. Elvis Presslin spoke to ActionSA Member of...

Gauteng Finance MEC Lebogang Maile will table the 2026/2027 provincial budget today, amid high expectations from residents seeking improved services. DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Finance and MPL, Ruhan Robinson warns that the budget must prioritise fixing ageing infrastructure, maintaining roads and combating crime, rather than funding new projects. Key challenges include the e-Toll debt, water suppl...

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... 

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature's Community Safety Committee has welcomed the establishment of two specialised units to combat political killings and kidnappings in the province. The units will focus on investigating political assassinations and kidnappings and crimes targeting infrastructure projects. The move follows alarming crime stats, including the murder of 10 police officers in Gauteng...

The Joburg Property Company, JPC, has opened 16 criminal cases with police after uncovering fraudulent transfers of city properties. The company says certain individuals are involved in the alleged scams. Investigations are ongoing, and JPC is working with authorities to recover the properties. Elvis Presslin spoke to Joburg Property Company Spokesperson, Lucky Sindane...

The South African Democratic Teachers' Union, SADTU in KwaZulu Natal is up in arms over the provincial Department of Education's decision to renege on the government's early retirement offer. The department had initially invited employees to apply for early retirement without penalties but is now citing its inability to comply with the Cabinet decision. SADTU accuses the department of disrespect a...

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) in Kimberley says Ekapa Mine Management confirmed to the union that at any given time, at least one of the bodies of five men trapped underground would be retrieved. It's been 20 days since the mud rush trapped the miners 890 metres underground in Ekapa Minerals Joint shaft. Tebogo Msimanga filed the following report...

ActionSA is calling on the National Prosecuting Authority to urgently address charges against forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan related to alleged impersonation of investigators. The charges date back to 2017 and are linked to serious allegations of misconduct. ActionSA says the delay undermines confidence in the justice system. Elvis Presslin spoke to ActionSA member of Parliament, Dereleen J...

The deployment of the army to assist police in gang and illegal mining riddled areas, will be in force from the 1st of this month but it does not mean soldiers will be flooding the streets. Members of Parliament's Police, Mineral and Petroleum Resources committees received a briefing on the details of this deployment - that was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his State of the Nation Addr...

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has issued a notice to a Western Cape High Court Judge to vacate a state-owned property in Cape Town by April 15th. The move follows confirmation from the Department of Justice that the judge no longer qualifies for the benefit. Last week Minister Dean Macpherson also initiated eviction proceedings against three former MK Party MPs for unlawfully o...

SALGA's 6th National Municipal Legal Practitioners' Forum is set to tackle key issues affecting local government in South Africa. The event, taking place in Cape Town this week will focus on coalition impacts, legislative reforms and court judgements. Speakers include former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela and SALGA President, Bheke Stofile. The forum aims to promote ethical governance and compli...

The Rita Teka Foundation and Rose Coloured Lens are hosting their 4th Annual Charity Golf Day on the 27th of March to raise funds for eye care for disadvantaged South Africans. The event aims to provide eye screenings, glasses and referrals. The Foundation says clear vision is a fundamental human right, It has screened over 2,000 people already and given out 1,500 pairs of glasses. Elvis Presslin...

Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, says studies have proven that the minimal levels of endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in sanitary pads and panty liners, does not cause clinical harm. The Minister was speaking at a joint media briefing to respond and clarify the implications of the findings of a research study on sanitary pads, published by the Department of Chemistry at the University of...

Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Financial Management has concluded that the appointment and remuneration of Secretary to Parliament, Xolile George, followed proper procedures. The committee accepted explanations provided by the Presiding Officers, citing an independent benchmarking process and Auditor-General findings that found no irregularities. The committee expressed disappointment at...

ANC Deputy Chief Whip, Dorris Mpapane has been elected Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on the Presidency. The Committee  oversees and holds the Presidency accountable for its actions and policies. The ANC caucus has congratulated Mpapane but critics argue the chair should be from an opposition party outside the GNU to ensure accountability. Ms. Mpapane now joins us on the line to share...

The Gautrain will keep operating under a Public-Private Partnership model after 2026, with a new 15-year concession agreement in advanced negotiations, according to the entity. A preferred bidder has been identified and a six-month holdover arrangement ensures uninterrupted service. Here is Tshepo Kgobe, Chief Executive Officer of the Gautrain Management Agency

COSATU has welcomed the seven-year prison sentence handed to former MP Vincent Smith for his role in the Bosasa corruption scandal. Smith pleaded guilty to fraud, money laundering and corruption charges. He failed to disclose BOSASA payments and didn't declare R28-million in income between 2009 and 2018. The sentence follows a plea deal with the National Prosecuting Authority. Here is COSATU's Par...