Newsbreak

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Hoosen Ebrahim - President Cyril Ramaphosa has been urged to take a firmer stand against Xenophobia and criminal elements damaging the image of the country's fledgling democracy. The call was made by the newly established union the - "South African United Foreigners Trade Union (SAUFTU). They are urging the government to educate its citizens on the role played by...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Salma Patel - Community and religious leaders at Phoenix, north of Durban are calling on residents to join hands in prayer for the hundreds of children who are kidnapped, killed or who go missing in the country everyday. A child goes missing every five hours in South Africa, according to figures released by the South African Police Service Missing Persons Bureau...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Hoosen Ebrahim - The South African economy has plunged into a recession with a surprise 0.7% contraction in the second quarter of the year. Our economy fell by 2.2 percent in the first quarter. Statistics South Africa released the figures short while ago. This is the first recession since 2009. To unpack what this means for South Africans, Hoosen spoke to Senior...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Hoosen Ebrahim - Athol Trollip and the Democratic Alliance (DA) are challenging the outcome of a council meeting which led to Trollip being booted out in a motion of no confidence last week. Speaking exclusively to Newsbreak, the axed former Mayor says the matter would be heard in court next week Thursday. He says that his belongings were thrown out of his office...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Rachel Vadi - As one of the first female television journalists of Indian origin, Vanessa Govender, who was seen as a champion for society's downtrodden, was hiding a shocking story. One of her own abuse by her former partner. In her latest book 'Beaten but not Broken', she recalls the five years of abuse and how she finally found the courage to walk away. Govend...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Tashlan Naidoo - Did you know that the kidneys filter between 150 and 200 litres of fluid a day. Well from the second-to-the-eighth of this month, South Africa marks Kidney Awareness Week, focusing on the function and health of one of the body's most vital organs. In this week's Medical Monitor - the administrator for the National Kidney Foundation - Fanie Du Toi...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Tashlan Naidoo - Petrol will increase by five cents a litre to cater for annual increases of petrol station staff. Energy Minister - Jeff Radebe, says government will absorb most of this month's fuel price increase. South African has witnessed sustained increases in fuel prices over the past few months, which has placed a strain on consumers. National Convener of...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Salma Patel - Social media played a crucial role in the hunt for young Miguel Louw - who was allegedly abducted on July 17. A 50-thousand rand reward had been posted for the safe return of little Miguel - with a no questions asked clause - attached. Now that a decomposing body has been found at Phoenix its raised many questions. Sydenham Community Policing Forum...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Salma Patel - Phoenix Community Leader Moulana Mohammed Tariq was one of the people assisting police at the scene last night. Tariq describes the area in which the body was found as a "over-grown field" close to a popular tavern in the area...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Salma Patel - Nine-year-old Miguel Louw went missing on the 17th of July. A 43-year-old suspect Mohamed Ebrahim has appeared in court in for the abduction of Miguel and is now out on bail. To date, Ebrahim has not indicated the whereabouts of Miguel. According to community members Ebrahim's parents live close to where the body was found. Director of KZN VIP Prote...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Taliesha Naidoo - The badly decomposed body of a young child found in the bush at Phoenix North of Durban is believed to be that of the kidnapped nine year old Miguel Louw. But Police are adamant that people should NOT jump to conclusions or make assumptions until the forensic tests have been carried out. Miguel went missing on the 17th of July. He was allegedly...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Tashlan Naidoo - A Gauteng educator's dream is to be fulfilled shortly. 55-year-old Jayanth Valabh has undertaken the 700 kilometre Johannesburg-to-Durban walk that will culminate shortly upon his arrival at the St. James College in Durban. Valabh teaches at the St James Preparatory School and is on a mission to raise funds to help his learners that cannot afford...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Salma Patel - Today, we focus on a Newsbreak Legend who has become an institution in Durban Literary circles. 59-year-old Cedric Sissing would like to be known as just as a bookseller, with a chapter of his life at Adams Books closing after 40 years. Over the years Sissing became known as the go-to man for any books - be it academic or for leisure purposes. Newsb...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Taliesha Naidoo - A United Nations panel has alleged that top Myanmar military officials be tried for genocide and human rights atrocities against the Rohingya in that country. This week marks a year since over 700,000 Rohingya Muslims took refuge in neighbouring Bangladesh. Reports have revealed that the Rohingya people remain trapped in a cycle of suffering. Do...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Taliesha Naidoo - Former President Jacob Zuma is more responsible than anyone else for the current politics of patronage in South Africa's fledgling democracy. Those are the sentiments shared by political activist and retired Judge Thumba Pillay. In an exclusive interview with Newsbreak - Judge Pillay, who is also the founding member of the United Democratic Fron...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Tashlan Naidoo - One person has been killed and another injured in a stabbing incident at Verulam, north of Durban. Private security company, Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) Director Prem Balram says information is emerging of the identity of the suspect accused of allegedly stabbing a tavern employee to death. It has been alleged that an altercation began over...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Rachel Vadi - At the height of her career she was one of the first female television journalist of Indian origin, Vanessa Govender, hid a terrible secret; one of abuse by her then partner. Now almost ten years later, Govender opens up about the physical, verbal and emotional trauma she says she endured. In her latest book, 'Beaten but not Broken' she recalls the...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Salma Patel - Key economic and entrepreneur skills are expected to get a dynamic boost in KwaZulu-Natal, thanks to the launch of business development programmes undertaken by the University of Witwatersrand (WITS). Two WITS entities - the Wits Business School and Wits Enterprise promise a rollout of executive education and short courses to develop knowledge and s...

SABC News and Current Affairs — Residents in Kimberley and neighbouring towns have braved the cold, sleeping at the town's train station waiting for medical assistance to arrive by train. The Phelophepha Train, which is currently at the Kimberley station, attracts snaking queues as it offers affordable health care facilities across the country. Reginald Witbooi reports...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Rachel Vadi - Thoughts on the role of women in South Africa and the world-over formed the bases of the debut book by Durban-based author, Sarisha Rameshlall Komal. An educational specialist for 23 years and a holistic counsellor, Komal say she drew on her life experiences and interactions with those she counselled as she penned her book "Notes on my Fridge". She...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Tashlan Naidoo - The company behind the building of a Bingo and casino facility in Chatsworth south of Durban says it has been leasing the premises for the last twelve years. Managing Director for Bingo and Casino operations for the Gold-Rush group, Katleho Thejane says community leaders were aware of the opening of this facility. Thejane also says the company ha...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Tashlan Naidoo - The Chatsworth community, south of Durban are up in arms over the opening of a Bingo facility that's too close to a grant collection office. The facility is at the same spot where the infamous "Golden Nugget Casino" used to be. Ward 70 councillor, Tony Govender says the idea of opening any gambling facilities in Chatsworth was scrapped many years...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Rachel Vadi - A massive search is underway for suspects involved in a hit- and-run that claimed the lives of three people in Verulam, north of Durban. Reaction Unit South Africa Director, Prem Balram says that witnesses to the accident claim that a grey-coloured vehicle which caused the accident sped off from the scene of the accident. Balram told Newsbreak the s...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Tashlan Naidoo - A milestone has been reached in investigations into housing fraud in KwaZulu-Natal. Conman Zithulele Zondi has been convicted and sentenced to three years in prison for scamming more than 180 victims. Zondi impersonated as a public official and convinced people that he would secure them low-cost houses. All the victims are from the Bonela and May...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Salma Patel - A team of South African learners have broken the World Record at an international robotics olympics held in Mexico. 18-year-old Mikaheel Reddy of Centurion was part of Team SpringBots from Hoerskool Uitsig who spent three days competing against students from over 175 other countries in the "FIRST Global Challenge". The Pretoria schoolboy says his te...