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

ActionSA has reportedly obtained the confidential agreement behind the ANC's R150 million debt settlement with Ezulweni Investments, which it says breaks the Political Party Funding Act. The deal, now public through ANC court papers, shows the ANC ordered R190 million worth of election materials to write off the R150 million debt - a move ActionSA calls an unlawful donation-in-kind exceeding the R...

All 20 living hostages held by Hamas in Gaza are back in Israel after two years in captivity. The freed hostages mark a major development in the US-brokered ceasefire deal. Bodies of 28 deceased hostages remain in Gaza but are due to be returned. In exchange, Israel is releasing 250 Palestinian prisoners serving long sentences and over 1,700 Gaza detainees held without charge since October 2023 at...

The United Democratic Movement, UDM has voiced concern over the surge in kidnappings across South Africa. In the latest incident, Tshwane officers on Saturday stopped a suspicious vehicle on the R80 highway in Rosslyn and freed a bound and hooded man from the back seat. Four suspects were arrested on the scene, with police seizing an AK-47 rifle loaded with live rounds, dashboard blue lights, a ve...

Former Passenger Rail Agency, PRASA CEO Lucky Montana is due to address the media this afternoon over a disputed tax bill of more than 55 million rand. Montana, now an MP with the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, filed criminal charges against SARS officials last week, alleging they fabricated a court judgment to pursue the massive debt and sequestrate his estate - calling it a political vendetta linked to...

The Democratic Alliance, DA In Gauteng has raised fresh concerns over the legality of the Gauteng Traffic Warden unit, known as "AmaPanyaza." The DA is demanding that Premier Panyaza Lesufi clarify whether the unit complies with the South African Police Service Act, citing its lack of accreditation and inadequate training for wardens. The party claims the programme, launched just before the 2024 G...

A potential coup is unfolding In Madagascar. An elite military unit, CAPSAT, has declared control of the armed forces and is demanding President Andry Rajoelina's resignation. This follows youth-led protests against the government. Yesterday, the armed forces minister recognized a military-backed officer as the new army chief. President Rajoelina has called the move an attempted coup. Meanwhile, S...

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

The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority, PSiRA, has suspended eight employees following irregularities uncovered at Cat Protection and Security, owned by controversial businessman Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala. The move comes after probes found procedural flaws and weak oversight at the firm, amid allegations pointing to systemic control failures. Matlala faces murder charges, adding to scruti...

The South African Depression and Anxiety Group is launching a nationwide campaign today to mark World Mental Health Day, themed "Together for Mental Health." With one in three South Africans likely to face a mental illness in their lifetime, and nine out of ten lacking access to treatment, the issue is critical. SADAG is partnering with government, businesses, schools, and communities to raise awa...

The Chief of staff to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, Cedrick Nkabinde has accused National Commissioner Fannie Masemola and KZN's Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of orchestrating raids to intimidate him. Nkabinde says devices were seized from him and Mchunu ahead of their respective appearances before the Madlanga Commission and Parliament's Ad Hoc committee probing corruption and political interference...

The Democratic Alliance, DA has welcomed the Special Investigating Unit, SIU's seizure of assets linked to Hangwani Maumela, a key figure in the Tembisa Hospital tender scandal. The SIU raided Maumela's Sandton luxury home, confiscating high-end vehicles including three Lamborghinis and artwork in effort to recoup R820 million amid probes into over R2 billion in alleged Tembisa Hospital fraud. DA...

ActionSA has strongly criticized Home Affairs Minister Dr. Leon Schreiber's decision to extend the validity of Zimbabwean Exemption Permits until May, 2027. The party calls the move another example of government indecision on South Africa's immigration challenges. ActionSA says it supports a humane and orderly immigration process but opposes temporary measures that weaken public trust, border secu...

Two university buildings have been set ablaze at the University of Fort Hare's Alice campus in the Eastern Cape, amid fierce clashes between students and police. The violence erupted this week as protesters demanded a halt to planned changes in student governance. A student demonstration has now shut down all in-person academic activities, forcing the institution to suspend classes indefinitely. T...

Judgment is expected today in the Section 174 application brought by eight South African Police Service VIP Protection Unit officers, charged in connection with a 2023 assault on civilians along Johannesburg's N1 highway. The officers, part of Deputy President Paul Mashatile's security detail, face charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, pointing firearms and malicious damage...

Mounting frustration is boiling over among black empowerment investors in South Africa's beer industry. A group of fed-up shareholders in SAB Zenzele Kabili, the black economic empowerment arm tied to global brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev, is calling their stake in the JSE-listed shares a raw deal. What started as a shot at ownership has soured fast, with some branding it a nightmare and a scam. The...

A dispute over a historic lease agreement in Tshwane has sparked controversy. J.L. Van Druten, owner of a building in Watloo, claims a 1997 agreement exempts him from paying municipal service fees. However, the City of Tshwane says the property now owes R3.8 million. City authorities say decades-old contracts do not override current obligations to pay for essential services. Elvis Presslin spoke t...

KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has told Parliament's Ad Hoc committee probing national security concerns that he believes corruption within South Africa's police service, SAPS has deepened over the past decade. Testifying before the Committee for a second day, Mkhwanazi alleged an unethical relationship between suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and North West...

Six South Africans detained by Israel after boarding the Global Sumud Flotilla are landing at OR Tambo International Airport today. The group includes Mandla Mandela - grandson of former President Nelson Mandela, writer Zukiswa Wanner, activist Reaaz Moolla, Zaheer Soomar, Dr. Fatima Hendricks and Carrie Shelver. Their mission was to challenge Israel's Gaza blockade with humanitarian aid. After in...

Lobby group AfriForum has temporarily halted a R54 billion settlement agreement between Eskom and energy regulator Nersa. The deal stemmed from an error at Nersa, affecting calculations for Eskom's revenue clawback amounts. Originally, Nersa approved tariff hikes of 5.36% for 2026 and 6.19% for 2027. However, admitting mistakes in depreciation and asset valuation, Nersa agreed Eskom could recover...

The National E-Hailing Federation of South Africa, NEFSA, has welcomed the recent rollout of the National Land Transport Act and its new regulations. The changes recognize e-hailing as part of the country's public transport system, a historic step after years of advocacy by e-hailing groups. However, the Federation expressed serious concerns, stating that many submissions from its affiliates were...

Employees of Urban Watch Security, a company providing security services to schools in Gauteng, have accused the firm of failing to pay their salaries for seven months. The workers also claim their contracts were abruptly terminated. Urban Watch Security has denied the allegations, stating that delays in payments from the Department of Basic Education are to blame. Elvis Presslin spoke to Zakhele...

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

Today marks two years since the Hamas attack on Israeli civilians in southern Israel's Kibbutzim and a music festival, claiming nearly 1,200 lives. Israel's ongoing response has resulted in over 66,000 Palestinian deaths. The South African Jewish Board of Deputies has expressed grief over the loss of innocent lives and the widespread suffering caused by the conflict. The Deputies' Gauteng Chairper...

The Congress of South African Trade Unions, COSATU and its affiliated unions will today picket across the country to mark the International Day for Decent Work. The events gain added importance as COSATU prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary In December this year following the World Federation of Trade Unions' 80th anniversary last week. Elvis Presslin spoke to COSATU National Spokesperson, Z...