The National Pulse

As the 6th of December is getting closer and closer. The Democratic Alliance has warned that should the independent panel probing the Phala Phala matter find that President Cyril Ramaphosa has no case to answer, they will push for the establishment of an ad hoc committee to probe the matter further.   GUEST: Siviwe Gwarube, DA Chief Whip  

The Quarterly Labour Force Survey from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) shows that the country’s unemployment rate fell by 1 percentage point to 32.9% in the third quarter, down from 33.9% in the second quarter. Statistics South Africa said the number of unemployed people totalled 7.725 million people in the July-September period, compared with 7.994 million people in the previous three months. ...

Yesterday, Nigerian authorities issued a travel advisory to its citizens visiting the US and European countries, advising them to take precautions when in those countries as reported cases of theft were on the rise there. Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed  said his country is concerned that Nigerian travellers to the United States and some countries in Europe are having thei...

Minister of Home Affairs Dr Aaron Motsoaledi gives clarity on the exemption granted to Janusz Walus. According to the Department of Home Affairs, the Minister granted the exemption in order for Walus to serve his parole period in South Africa and the exemption contains a condition that Walus may not use any travel document and/or passport issued by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland.   GUEST: D...

An initiate has died in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape as the summer season of the initiation custom takes off. It is alleged the deceased initiate had been declared unfit for circumcision by a doctor and authorities are still investigative the circumstances around his death. The issue of initiates dying at initiation schools has made headlines every season for the past few years, what is governmen...

The department of human settlements in the Western Cape says extortion is crippling its ability to deliver on housing projects. The department is calling for an intervention from provincial and national governments. It says there is a pattern of criminality specifically targeting project managers who are approached by networks demanding a cut. In a recent incident, the department says construction...

Some great news for SAFM. The station was crowned the Public Broadcast Service Station of the Year at the Liberty Radio Awards. Not only that, Cathy Mohlahlana’s show, The Talking Point won the award for Best Daytime show, while Bridget Masinga’s The Art of Everything clinched the Best Nighttime Show award. The station was nominated in 19 categories and it was leading all radio stations with the h...

A 20-year-old matric student at Ben Hlongwane Secondary School in Limpopo has been stabbed to death. Phillimon Mkomo was at a study camp as matric exams continue until tomorrow, however, he allegedly snuck out of the venue where other students were without notifying anyone and his body was found in the early hours of the morning on Sunday with stab wounds. Guest: Basic Education Spokesperson, Elij...

We hear from DebtSafe about why South Africans are struggling to save. According to the outcomes of one of the latest surveys by the organisation - 80 percent of the respondents have several troubles saving money. The main reason for it is the lack of income to cover the ordinary living expenses.  GUEST: Carla Oberholzer, DebtSafe advisor  

We look at the protests that erupted against China’s Covid Zero strategy. This as rising unrest in the country in the form of protests in several cities has translated to greater reopening pressure for authorities. To help us understand what’s going on is…..  GUEST: Dr David Monyae, associate Professor of Political Science and International Relations and Director of the Centre for Africa-China Stu...

The Johannesburg High Court has denied convicted murderer Ntuthuko Shoba's application for leave to appeal against his conviction and life sentence. Shoba orchestrated the murder of his then pregnant girlfriend Tshegofatso Pule earlier this year. GUEST: Tumisang Katake, (Tshegofatso Pule’s uncle) 

The South African Human Rights Commission is condemning a leaked racist voicenote by a woman from Benoni who was inciting violence against black people, saying they must be killed. She was saying this in defence of pit bulls as the call for the banning of pit bulls gained momentum following vicious attacks on people and other animals. She has since defended herself, saying she has diabetes. We’re...

As today marks the start of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Amnesty International South Africa says they are sick and tired of the government saying GBV remains ‘worrying’ and ‘a concern’ and yet they do little to tackle the problem. According to the organisation, authorities must show that they take women and girls' rights to safety, dignity and life seriously, and stop pay...

Uganda has been struggling with an Ebola outbreak for months. In fact, since the outbreak declaration on 20 September, a total of 141 confirmed cases and 55 confirmed deaths from Ebola disease have been reported by the Uganda Ministry of Health as of 21 November. To give us an update in terms of how things are at the moment is ……    GUEST (Uganda): Emmanuel Ainebyona, Spokesperson for the Ministry...

SANRAL’s Northern Region Manager, Progress Hlahla joins us to discuss the plans from the agency, to encourage road safety during the festive period. Tomorrow, SANRAL will host a motorcycle safety awareness event that is aimed at promoting road safety during the festive season.  GUEST: Progress Hlahla, SANRAL’s Northern Region Manager    

Will this new electoral bill be a law by the time we go to elections in 2024. The bill is before the National Council of Provinces’ Select Committee on Security and Justice. However, parliament may have to apply to the Constitutional Court for an extension because the Select Committee on Security and Justice may add amendments that will require public participation. The bill has to be finalised by...

About three hours ago, President Cyril Ramaphosa briefed the media on the outcomes of his two-day state visit to the UK. When addressing a banquet hosted by the Lord Mayor of the City of London yesterday, Ramaphosa said South Africa looks forward to welcoming many British companies to explore investment opportunities as our country seeks a new partnership on investment, climate change and green in...

We speak to Singabakho Nxumalo. Following the Department of Correctional Services’ decision to appeal a court judgment that found former president Jacob Zuma's release from prison unlawful. After studying the judgement, the department says it is convinced that another court may arrive at a different conclusion.   GUEST: Singabakho Nxumalo, Spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services  

ANC Councillor in the City of Ekurhuleni, Mzwandile Masina, has resigned from his position effective next Wednesday. Masina’s resignation comes after a disciplinary hearing for not following the ANC’s instruction to with draw a motion of no confidence against mayor Tania Campbell. The motion was unsuccessful and Campbell was reinstated as mayor in Ekurhuleni. The ANC in Gauteng has accepted Masina...

We are still coming to you live from Durban at the Coastland Musgrave Hotel where the National Lotteries Commission is welcoming its newly elected board chairperson, Professor Barney Pityana. It's also engaging its stakeholders in the province on its functions. To discuss how to move the National Lotteries Commission forward, instilling a culture of transparency and excellence and the importance m...

More than 10 000 people reported rape cases in South Africa between July and September 2022. That's an increase of 10.8% compared to the same period last year. Most of them came from KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. Majority of the cases happened either at the home of the victim or the home of the rapist. Attempted sexual assault cases increased by 34% compared to the same period last year. Rap...

Auditor General Tsakani Maluleke is calling on government to instill a culture of accountability in the public sector in order to improve service delivery. This comes after she reported a gradual upward trend in the national and provincial government audit outcomes. Maluleke released the 2021/2022 general report and material irregularity report for national and provincial departments and their ent...

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) has passed an anti-money laundering bill that is aimed at addressing deficiencies identified in an assessment by the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force. However, those opposed to the bill are arguing that it has been rushed so that South Africa could avoid being grey listed. For more on this, let’s now speak to……   GUEST: Joe Maswanganyi, Chairperson o...

The United States Department of Justice recently transferred $20.6 million to the Nigerian government in accordance with an August 23 agreement between the governments to repatriate assets stolen by late General Sani Abacha. Abacha was a Nigerian military officer who was head of state from 1993 until he died in 1998 after he came into power via a coup. Joining us to explain what this means for Nig...