Newsbreak

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - A Chatsworth based anti-drug lobby group believes that the arrest of a notorious drug-dealer in the area is just a drop in the ocean in fighting this scourge. The alleged kingpin and seven suspects will appear at the Durban Magistrates court on Thursday on drug-related charges. This follows the raid on an illegal manufacturing plant worth almost R1.6 million...

By Newsbreak South Asian Correspondent Rana Senn - An 83-year Catholic priest accused of waging war against the state, is in the spotlight after a court in Mumbai, India refused him a sipper cup. Suffering from Parkinson's disease, Father Stan Swamy is the oldest person to be jailed for terrorism in India, which promises to snuff out insurgencies with an iron fist. This story compiled by our South...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - The Athlone Magistrate's Court, in the Western Cape, has found 40-year-old Zafar Yusuph guilty of contravening the provision of the drugs trafficking Act. He has been sentenced to a fine of R50 000 or 3 years imprisonment. Yusuph was arrested for drugs worth a total street value of R360 000. In a separate matter, a former attorney, 53-year-old Brian Albertus...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Women and children across the country are desperate to get out of a life of domestic abuse, but this is increasingly challenging, especially without the proper legal knowledge. With the "16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children" campaign underway, Newsbreak contacted attorney, Revonia Royyapen Pillay, for step-by-step legal advice that v...

By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - With the prospects available in the job market becoming scarcer by the day, experts believe that personal branding and re-working an approach towards applying for a position, could ultimately lead to a successful appointment. This is according to Lula-Lab CEO, Errol Freeman. His company consists of over 200 job centers nationwide. South Africa's unemployment...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - The Hawks in KwaZulu-Natal believe they have arrested the kingpin behind a major drug manufacturing operation in Durban. This follows the uncovering and dismantling of a manufacturing plant at Hillcrest, west of Durban in March this year - where drugs and equipment valued at approximately R1.6 million was found. At the weekend, the Hawks arrested five suspect...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Social grant payments for December will commence from today for old age pension, tomorrow for disability grants and Wednesday for child support, foster child and care dependency grants. However, grant collection from SASSA pay-points will commence from the 4th of December. SASSA have also sought to clarify that these early payments are not bonuses, but rather...

By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - South African human rights activist, Ishtar Lakhani has been listed by the BBC in the 100 most inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2020. The 35-year-old Lakhani, formerly from Durban and now based in Cape Town, has been involved in coordinating a number of feminist advocacy and social justice campaigns over the years. She is also playin...

By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - The body of well-known businessman, Jaipal Moodley has been discovered at his tavern in Cottonlands at Verulam, north of Durban. Moodley was found in the early hours of Saturday morning in a pool of blood with multiple stab wounds on his body. KZN police have confirmed that a case of murder is being investigated. They say the motive for the murder is unknown...

By Newsbreak Producer Rachel Vadi - Police are investigating a case of murder after a 27-year-old woman was found dead at her flat in Durban on Sunday morning. Chairperson of the eThekwini Central Cluster CPF - Imtiaz Syed says the woman was allegedly found bound in cable ties, locked in her bathroom - with multiple facial injuries and bruises. Reports indicate that her husband had called authorit...

By Newsbreak Producers Matthew Veeran and Hoosen Ebrahim - More than 43 people have been killed in what the Nigerian President described as an "insane" attack in north-east Nigeria at the weekend. The attackers tied up agricultural labourers working in rice fields and slit their throats near the capital of Borno State. Residents said a total of 70 people are feared dead. While no group claimed res...

By Newsbreak Presenter, Taresh Harreepershad and Newsbreak Producer, Rachel Vadi 160 years since the arrival of Indians in South Africa, what level of equality have South African women achieved. Newsbreak Talk speaks to sociologist, Dr Devi Rajab and Gender Activist. Pamela Padayachee, about how far women have progressed since working in the sugarcane fields.

By Newsbreak Presenter, Taresh Hareepershad and Newsbreak Producer, Rachel Vadi #NewsbreakTalk speaks to CEO of the Kwazulu-Natal Doctors Healthcare Coalition, Professor Morgan Chetty during the virtual 24th Annual Conference and Expo of the Coalitions Healthcare Institute.

by Newsbreak Producer, Taresh Harreeparshad - South African Reserve Force Council- RFC is on a roadshow to inform and educate people about their role in the new dispensation. The Council was created in 1992. Its aim was to represent officers commanding the reserves of the South African Defence Force (SADF) during the transition to democracy. In 2002, it was given statutory status in the Defence Ac...

by Newsbreak Producer, Rachel Vadi - As the race to find a safe and effective Covid-19 vaccine is gaining momentum worldwide, concern is being raised as to whether Africa will receive the vaccine. CEO of the Kwazulu-Natal Doctors Healthcare Coalition, Professor Morgan Chetty says plans and proposals need to be put into place to ensure that Africa does not lose its chances of receiving the vaccine...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - The Sahara Shelter for Women and Children in Phoenix, north of Durban says more emphasis needs to be placed on readily available treatment facilities and psycho-social interventions for GBV victims. This as South Africa continues to grapple with the scourge of Gender Based Violence. On Wednesday, the annual "16 days of activism for no violence against women a...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Desperate criminals are on the prowl this December and homes that are unattended to could be targeted. These are the sentiments of spokesperson for local security company, PT Tactical, Dhevan Govindsamy. The security company have also identified ATM robberies and petty-theft as some of the criminal activities on the rise in Durban central and to the north of...

By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Foreign truck drivers have threatened to ban South Africans from crossing their borders if they are forced out of their jobs. This comes after foreign drivers were given an ultimatum to vacate their jobs at the beginning of December or face mass disruptions. This was issued by the All Truck Drivers Foundation - a group of local truck drivers advocating for 10...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Food price data over the past three months shows that the average cost of the household food basket has increased by R161,89 - taking the total cost to just over R4,000. These are the findings of non-profit organisation - Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity - which has identified the 44 basic foods which people living in low-income households usuall...

By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Tears continue to flow for legendary Argentina attacking midfielder Diego Maradona, who passed away yesterday at the age of 60. During a sparkling career, Maradona won the 1986 World Cup and picked up a slew of individual awards including FIFA's Player and Goal of the Century. A minute's silence took place before last night's UEFA Champions League matches, wh...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Five police officers accused for the assault - which led to the death of Jason Heyns last month during an arrest - are appearing at the Vredenburg Magistrates Court today. Investigations by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) led to the arrests in the Western Cape yesterday. IPID spokesperson, Ndelika Cola, says the officers took Heyns to...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - The constitutional court is currently hearing an application by the Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane for leave to appeal a case regarding a report into President Cyril Ramaphosa's presidential campaign. This, after the National Assembly adopted a motion by DA Chief Whip Natasha Mazzone calling on the National Assembly to institute proceedings to remove Mkh...

By Newsbreak Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - The Department of Health is closely monitoring which COVID-19 vaccine will be the most effective for South African use- before committing to procurement. Three vaccines have so far reported high efficacy rates against the virus-and these could be rolled out for procurement in the next few months. Wealthier nations, like the United Kingdom, have pre-orde...

By Newsbreak Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - The Department of Health is debating further restrictions that may have to be implemented, if the COVID-19 daily infections remain high in the country. That's according to Deputy Director General Dr. Anban Pillay. Daily infection rates have been hovering over the 2,000 mark this week, sparking great concern ahead of the festive season. Dr. Pillay says t...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Sharing much more in common with humans than many think - snakes are also looking to get out of high temperature places this summer, as they look to slither their way into cooler areas. But, this may jeopardize the health and safety of people found face to face with a snake. In this week's Greenscene, snake expert Nick Evans previews what can be expected, esp...