First Take SA

The Independent Electoral Commission has rejected the Islamic State of Africa's bid to register as a political party. Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo outlined three reasons for the decision: over 200 objections were lodged, citing the party's Sharia-based policies as incompatible with South Africa's secular values; the group failed to provide 300 valid signatures from registered voters and the...

As we celebrate 75 years of news on the SABC's platforms, we revisit one of the most hilarious moments in South African television news history. Riaan Cruywagen is synonymous with professionalism and perfectionism - the ultimate South African news presenter. Cruywagen perfectly presented the Afrikaans television news for 37 years. One night, however, he showed his "human" side, after an on-air inc...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave amid ongoing investigations into allegations of corruption and abuse of power. The announcement was made during a national address last night. Professor Firoz Cachalia will assume the role of acting police minister from  August first. The decision follows claims by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant G...

President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation on Sunday regarding explosive allegations by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.  The speech comes in response to serious allegations made by Mkhwanazi, who has accused the Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu, alongside SAPS' leadership, of corruption and obstructing justice. For more on this Elvis Presslin spo...

Former leader of Reaction Unit 6, a unit of the of the Apartheid-era Police operating in Dunnottar Springs, Johan Marais has been sentenced to 15-years in prison. Marais was found guilty of the premeditated murder of student activist, Caiphus Nyoka, in 1987. The  plan to kill and raid Nyoka's home was devised by some members of the security branch under the then commanding officer Leon Louis...

Controversial tender mogul Vusimuzi Cat Matlala is expected back in the Alexandra Magistrates' Court today. He faces charges of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder, linked to a 2023 hit attempt on his ex-girlfriend actress Tebogo Thobejane. Matlala recently ditched his bail bid and remains in custody. His wife, Tsakani, who is out on a R20,000 bail, also faces the same charges. The co...

Johannesburg residents have expressed outrage after Mayor Dada Morero announced that repairing the city's potholes could cost approximately R700 million. The staggering figure, announced during the launch of the city's "War on Potholes" campaign in Hyde Park, has ignited debate over budget priorities and years of infrastructure neglect. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to DA shadow Member of...

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 ANC will today hold a memorial for former Deputy President David Mabuza in three regions in Mpumalanga, where he served as premier from 2009 to 2018. The country is currently observing a period of mourning which entails national flags flying at half-mast until Mabuza's official state funeral on Saturday. Elvis Presslin spoke to Desmond  Moela, Spokesperson to former Deputy President David...

The Tshegofatso Pule Foundation has expressed outrage over the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court decision to grant R5,000 bail to 39-year-old Mduduzi Mnisi, accused of murdering 14-year-old Likhona Fose. Mnisi, who was on parole at the time, is alleged to have been seen with Fose in Durban Deep on the day she went missing in May. Her mutilated body was found the next day. The state claims premeditated...

ActionSA will today lead a protest outside the KwaZulu-Natal police headquarters to demand urgent action to address the deepening crisis within SAPS and the criminal justice system. This follows serious allegations by KZN Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Zwakele Mncwango, ActionSA KZN Provinci...

ActionSA MP Alan Beesley has slammed the government's failure to prevent looming US tariffs, calling the 30% levy on South African exports a betrayal of workers. He says despite earlier talks and reassurances, government diplomacy collapsed putting thousands of jobs and key sectors like auto manufacturing, steel, and agriculture at risk. Beesley warns ordinary citizens, not politicians, will suffe...

Defend Our Democracy is calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to address the nation following damning revelations by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. Mkhwanazi has accused Minister Mchunu and senior SAPS officials of meddling in police operations. The movement has also called a full, independent judicial commission of inquiry into...

Mary Phadi has been removed from the uMkhonto weSizwe Party and her position in the provincial legislature. The Mbombela High Court dismissed Phadi's appeal yesterday, upholding the MK Party's decision to terminate her membership. The ruling confirms Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane as the party's provincial leader. Phadi, who had challenged her earlier expulsion over allegations of misconduct, set fir...

Public Interest South Africa has welcomed the life sentencing of hitman Sibusiso Ncengwa for the 2017 assassination of Sindiso Magaqa, calling it a symbolic step toward justice. But the group warns this is far from full justice, as the ANC's internal rot, political violence and corruption remain unpunished. The organisation says Ncengwa's confession exposed a culture of impunity and mafia-style po...

National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams has slammed the South African Police Service over widespread corruption allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Adams, a member of Parliament's Police Committee, previously exposed misconduct among top police officials, leading to arrests for alleged fraud. Adams' criticism comes after Mkhwanazi accused Police Ministe...

Put South Africa First will join forces with other civic organizations in a march through Pretoria today to condemn gender-based violence. The event will mark the beginning of a series of demonstrations leading up to Women's Month in August. Elvis Presslin spoke to Faith Mabusela, National Chairperson of Put South Africa First

The South African Prisoners' Organisation for Human Rights has raised concern over reports of prosecutors offering accused criminals the option to pay cash settlements in exchange for charges being dropped without any court ruling. They say this trend, aimed at easing backlogs in court cases, risks turning justice into a commodity for the wealthy. With nearly 150,000 such cases recorded annually,...

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

African Unite Borders Bus Trucks Association (AUBBTA) says it is calling for urgent intervention regarding blockage to health facilities to foreign nationals. The organisation says as a temporary solution for this crisis, they are calling South African government to charge our fellow brothers and sisters at least ranging from R200/R250 to R300 to prevent violence and unnecessary deaths. To discuss...

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has launched a new political group, the America Party signaling a break from his former ally, US President Donald Trump. Musk, now positioning himself as a political rival, criticized Trump's leadership style and vowed to offer a fresh vision for the nation. While details of the America Party's platform remain vague, Musk emphasized innovation, freedom and reforming what...

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has dismissed allegations of meddling in police operations as "baseless." KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi who claimed Mchunu is in regular contact with individuals linked to criminal activities. Mkhwanazi also accused senior Police officials of involvement in corruption. In response, the Democratic Alliance has called for an urge...

The Young Intelligent Minds of South Africa YIMOSA has called on civic society, political parties, and South Africans to defend and respect Chapter 9 institutions. This follows growing criticism against the Human Rights Commission by groups such as ActionSA and FOSA. This comes as members of communities across the country have blocked undocumented migrants from accessing medical care at public hea...

A stark revelation has exposed the crippling state of Gauteng's police infrastructure, with 24 out of 145 police stations lacking holding cells. This shortage is having a devastating impact on the fight against crime, causing delays in detaining and processing suspects. The Democratic Alliance is now calling on provincial Premier Panyaza Lesufi to take immediate action and work with relevant autho...

Former MK Party national organiser McDonald Mathabe has publicly criticized the party's leadership, calling it disorganized and ineffective. Mathabe's remarks come amid growing internal conflicts within the uMkhonto weSizwe Party. Mathabe spoke to Elvis Presslin to elaborate further on his sentiments