Newsbreak

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Chairperson of the Merewent Community Policing Forum, Donavan Anderson says they have noticed in increase in the amount of irregular movement of vehicles and people loitering in the area. Anderson says it seems as if these people are watching homes in the area, waiting for the opportune moment to swoop...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - KwaZulu-Natal police are on a manhunt for suspects responsible for the fatal shooting of a 31-year-old man on Flintstone Road, in Phoenix, north of Durban. Provincial police spokesperson, Captain Nqobile Gwala, says the man was seated in a vehicle when he was shot dead. Gwala says investigations are now underway...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Tobacco users have expressed frustration over what they say is a sudden hike in tobacco prices. Some consumers report increases of up to 35% in certain cigarette brands, as compared to pre-lockdown prices. Meanwhile, British American Tobacco South Africa, have confirmed the price increases to try and claw back some of the reven...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - With speculation rife that the country could move to Level 1 of the lockdown soon, the South African Medical Association (SAMA) is urging the public to still observe strict hygiene and social distancing protocols in order help prevent a major surge of infections. The national state of disaster was meant to end yesterday after s...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Tech giant Google has set aside over R70-million to assist small businesses recover from the financial impacts brought about by COVID-19. The American-based multinational company says it aims to help job seekers, educational institutions and vulnerable populations as they adapt to "a new normal". Priority areas include addressi...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Local comedy "Kings of Mulberry Street" continues to rack up the accolades - with the film picking up the highly-coveted "Best Use of KwaZulu-Natal in a Film" award at the Simon Sabela Awards. This latest achievement is a huge honour and success for writer, director and producer of the film, Judy Naidoo. Meanwhile, the film's R...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By South Asian Correspondant Rana Sen - Elaborate safety measures have been put place in India's parliament to protect MPs from coronavirus, which has now infected 4.8 million people across the country. But 29 elected lawmakers tested positive and were sent back home to recover even before a historic session of the national legislature began. Rana Senn has the detai...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - The South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) say they are in talks with government to find sustainable solutions for the local media industry to survive and grow. This as the sector was decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with thousands of jobs being lost and livelihoods being affected. Chairperson of Media Freedom at SANEF...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Identifying and responding to early detection signs of childhood cancer is crucial. These are the sentiments of regional manager of the Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa - KZN, Aggie Govender. September marks "Childhood Cancer Awareness Month" bringing to focus the importance of education surrounding the disease to preve...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Tashlna Naidoo - The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has welcomed a ruling by police to dismiss three officers found guilty of corruption, kidnapping and extortion. The three officers are being criminally charged at the Durban Commercial Crimes Court in connection with the incident in November 2018. They are being charged wi...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - The convenience of the newly launched SASSA online applications portal eliminates long queues - with no need to gather at public places to apply. KwaZulu-Natal SASSA spokesperson Sandy Godlwana, says the online portal will help applicants in applying for certain social grants, without having to stand in snaking lines. Godlwana...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - KwaZulu-Natal home owners could be faced with water restrictions, as dam levels continue to drop in the province. This is according to the Department of Water and Sanitation. They say the major dams in the province have seen a decline week on week, which could possibly result in restrictions. Spokesperson Sputnik Ratau now urge...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Legal expert - Saber Ahmed Jhazbhay, says although peaceful action by funeral associations is lawful, it may conflict with the religious rights of people - especially those of the muslim faith which requires burial within a few hours of death.

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - With scientists believing the impact and effect of COVID-19 will be present in the country for a few years, many parents are weighing the option of home schooling their children. This is according to Professor Kobus Maree from the University of Pretoria's Department of Educational Psychology. He says research suggest more paren...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Rachel Vadi - The 44-year-old teacher who was accused of the alleged rape of a 15-year-old school girl, has been released on R2,000 bail. The suspect - who teaches at a school in Phoenix, north of Durban - made bail, with the condition that he not communicate with the victim or the complainant. Spokesperson of the National Prosecuting Authority...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Rachel Vadi - Two families are petitioning claims of 10 and 15 million rand respectively - to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health - after the bodies of their deceased family members were mixed up. A letter detailing the extent of the damages the Mateke family from Lesotho and the Maharaj family from Thornville in Pietermritzburg experienced,...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - South African hit-movie "Kandasamys: The Wedding" has scooped the award for Best Feature Screenplay at the prestigious Simon Sabela Awards. The film received seven nominations at the awards, which took place at the weekend. The awards recognize outstanding achievement and excellence within the South African Film and Television...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Rachel Vadi - The South African Hindu Maha Sabha have issued a letter, demanding the withdrawal and an explanation to a notice of complaints regarding smoke from religious practices. According to President Ashwin Trikamjee, Wakefields Property Management sent a letter to all occupants of Morningside Ridge, in Durban appealing to residents to be...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - With the changing times affecting cultures and the way in which people undertake their traditions and teachings, it is important to understand where you came from - to know where you are heading toward in the future. That's the message from Academic at the University of Durban Westville - Dr Devarakshanam (Betty) Govinden. She...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - Funeral parlours across South Africa will embark on a three-day national shutdown, starting from today. The shutdown is being led by the Unification Task Team (UTT) - a mother body group for funeral parlours in the country. They say they are tired of the corruption within in the industry. Amongst their demands are transformati...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - The Clare Estate Umgeni Hindu Crematorium Society has confirmed its closure for today. Board member of the society - Satish Dhupelia explains...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Talk Presenter, Taresh Harreepershad September marks Public Service Month in South Africa. Public Service Month (PSM) is an integrated strategic national event in the calendar of the Department of Public Service and Administration. The Public Service Month is commemorated under the theme: "Growing South Africa Together for an Ethical Public Service." St...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Talk Presenter Taresh Harreepershad President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a Special Official Funeral Category 1 for late human rights lawyer George Bizos. Ramaphosa has also authorised that the National Flag be flown at half-mast at every flag station in the country from today (12/09) until the evening of the Special Official Funeral on Thursday the 17...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Producer, Rachel Vadi he Orange Mask Campaign, initiated by the Active Citizen's Movement (ACM) has been gaining much support since its inception a few weeks ago. Deputy chairperson of ACM, Yashica Padia says the aim of the campaign is to send a message to Government that South Africans are tired of reports of corruption- especially around COVID-19 tend...

SABC News and Current Affairs — By Newsbreak Executive Producer Salma Patel - The lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country has left many unemployed and battling to make ends meet. One casualty of the lockdown is a Durban lawyer and her husband, who've had to shut down their firm as business dried up. But, they've adopted a never give up attitude and now have a new line of business de...