First Take SA

A look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoesoana, author of Africa Is Open For Business and Africa Bounces Back

The Cradle of Humankind in Mogale City, Johannesburg is facing ongoing sewage pollution due to repeated failures at the Percy Stewart Wastewater Treatment Plant. Untreated and partially treated sewage has been flowing into nearby rivers, raising concerns over ecological damage and risks to underground cave systems holding human evolutionary fossils. The Democratic Alliance says the situation refle...

Former President Jacob Zuma has instructed lawyers to appeal a Pietermaritzburg High Court ruling that the Arms Deal trial must continue without further delays. Judge Nkosinathi Chili granted the State's "Stop Stalingrad" application, ordering Zuma and a Thales representative to appear in person when proceedings start in February next year. We spoke to the Jacob Zuma Foundation's spokesperson, Mzw...

The Democratic Alliance has welcomed the removal of Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe from Cabinet, saying the decision follows sustained pressure from the party for accountability. The DA argues that Tolashe's position had become untenable and has praised President Cyril Ramaphosa for taking action. However, the party is now calling for urgency in appointing a permanent replacement at th...

AfriForum has asked the City of Johannesburg to explain a proposed 65.6% increase to its water demand management levy, warning it may be unlawful and unfair to residents. The levy would rise from R65.08 to R107.74 per month for domestic users under the 2026/27 draft tariffs now open for comment. AfriForum says the city must show how the increase was calculated and whether it meets legal requiremen...

The Gauteng Health department is warning the public against using unregulated injections for body and sexual enhancement after two Ekurhuleni patients suffered severe complications, including organ failure. The departments says substances, accessed through informal channels for procedures like BBLs, are not approved for human use and their contents remain unknown. Gauteng Health is working with re...

Eleven suspects, including four Mexican nationals, have been arrested after a major drug bust at a clandestine lab on a Swartruggens farm. SAPS Crime Intelligence and the Hawks uncovered drugs worth millions and say the find points to a sophisticated trafficking network in rural areas. The Moral Regeneration Movement says the bust confirms a shift of drug operations away from cities. It is calling...

The City of Johannesburg says it has collected close to R100 million in a few months after clamping down on illegal outdoor advertising. This is a sharp rise from the roughly R4 million generated annually before enforcement began earlier this year. Officials say the campaign targets non-compliant billboards and aims to ensure businesses contribute fairly to service delivery. We spoke to  Jobu...

The Forum for South Africa, FOSA has condemned the Public Protector for threatening legal action against people who insult her over the Phala Phala matter. FOSA says the warning of fines or jail risks intimidating public criticism and sets a dangerous precedent. It argues the move undermines freedom of expression and the constitutional principle that no office-bearer is above the law. The group is...

COSATU has rejected Parliament's Impeachment Committee composition, saying it is unconstitutional. The union says limiting the Committee to 31 members cut the ANC's representation to 30%, below its 40% share in Parliament. The Committee was formed after a Constitutional Court ruling to probe allegations around foreign currency found at President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm. COSATU warns the...

ActionSA says it has laid criminal charges against President Cyril Ramaphosa in connection with the Phala Phala farm burglary. The party says the charges relate to alleged contraventions of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, as well as accusations of perjury and fraud. These claims centre on the alleged concealment or underreporting of the amount of money stolen during the 202...

Calls are mounting to extend the Madlanga Commission investigating alleged infiltration of criminal syndicates into law enforcement and government. Early findings point to corruption and weak oversight in municipalities like Ekurhuleni and Tshwane. Concerns are also rising over the effectiveness of municipal Section 79 and 80 committees, meant to ensure accountability but reportedly hampered by po...

Asylum seekers and advocacy groups have expressed concern over the Constitutional Court's ruling that bars rejected applicants from submitting new applications once their case is finalised. The decision overturns a Supreme Court of Appeal judgment that allowed rejected asylum seekers to reapply while remaining in South Africa. Many now worry the ruling could leave genuine refugees with no legal re...

ActionSA has called on President Ramaphosa to fire GNU ministers it blames for South Africa's worsening jobs crisis. The party cited Stats SA data showing 345,000 jobs lost in the first quarter of 2026, pushing unemployment to 32.7%. It said community services and construction were hit hardest, with youth unemployment also rising sharply. ActionSA says the figures reflect policy failure and will w...

The African People's Convention, APC has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to account to Parliament over the Phala Phala Review Panel report. The APC says taking the matter to judicial review avoids giving the public and Parliament his side of the story. It argues that challenging a process meant to clear his name undermines accountability. The party says Parliament must proceed with its duties...

The Solidarity Trades' Network has threatened legal action against the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations over delays in issuing red seal certificates to young artisans. It says nearly 100 artisans have joined a class action after waiting months despite completing training and passing trade tests. Coordinator Stef Pretorius says the delays are unlawful and harming careers and incomes. He j...

The Social Movement for Advocacy, Rights and Transformation, SMART says a scathing report from the Gauteng Liquor Board's (GLB) Committee of Inquiry report reveals corruption, maladministration and unlawful licensing practices. SMART says thousands of illegal outlets operate near schools and residential areas due to weak oversight and too few inspectors. The group is calling for criminal investiga...

A look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoesoana

President Cyril Ramaphosa is taking the Section 89 panel report on Phala Phala on review and says he will not resign. Parliament is expected to proceed with impeachment proceedings in parallel. The South African People's Civic Organisation has called on the President to step aside, saying it would help protect public confidence and allow due process to unfold without perceived interference. SAPCO...

Mpumalanga will mark International Nurses Day with a special event in Secunda hosted by DENOSA and the provincial Health Department. This year's theme, "Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives," focuses on working conditions, training and support for nurses. Outstanding nurses will be honoured for excellence in patient care, education and leadership. We're now joined by Cyril Mdhluli,...

President Cyril Ramaphosa says he will not resign from his office but will rather take the Indepedent Panel Report on Phala Phala on judicial review. Ramaphosa announced this in an address to the nation on Monday night (11/05) beamed from his offices at the Union Buildings in Pretora. This address follows the judgment of the Constitutional Court last Friday (08/05) finding that the rules governing...

Serious concerns have been raised about policing capacity in Pretoria West following an oversight visit by the Gauteng Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Community Safety. The Committee has flagged critical infrastructure and ICT failures at the local police station, including fragmented office buildings, outdated systems, and slow network connectivity, all of which are said to be under...

National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza is expected to meet Parliament's legal advisors this week to weigh next steps after the Constitutional Court ordered the revival of impeachment processes against President Ramaphosa. The MK Party has filed a motion of no confidence, adding pressure ahead of local government elections. The ruling found Parliament's 2022 rejection of the Section 89 panel report...

The Congress of South African Trade Unions, COSATU says it fully supports its affiliate, the South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union, SACCAWU in opposing planned job cuts at Pick n Pay. SACCAWU says the retailer intends to retrench 22,000 workers and has accused the company of trying to bypass collective bargaining by serving notices directly to staff. The union also alleges Pic...

The Congress of the People, COPE has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to immediately dismiss Minister Sisisi Tolashe from Cabinet. COPE cites allegations of abuse of power, unlawful dismissal and the misuse of a government employee's salary. The party says the President's delay in acting fuels public anger and a perception of impunity. It is also demanding a full, independent investigation into...