The National Pulse

SARS says in the future they are going to rely on data, self-learning computers and artificial intelligence to fight tax evasion. The tax collector also revealed that they are in the process of modernising its systems to provide digital and streamlined services to the public, and rebuild trust and confidence in the tax collector. For more on this we are joined by….. Guest: Edward Kieswetter, SARS...

The right to bury a foetus lost because of miscarriage or abortion has come under the spotlight after an East Rand woman was refused the foetus at Edenvale Hospital last month. The woman gave birth at 24 weeks and her baby died immediately after birth. A non-profit organisation fighting for rights of the foetus, wants the government to change legislation to give parents an option to bury the remai...

South African Airways' business rescue practitioners have approached the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) for financial assistance. SAA's business rescue practitioners met with UIF to seek funds to help alleviate financial challenges facing the airline SAA and its employees. The carrier has been unprofitable since 2011; relying on state bailouts to stay afloat. SAA recently sourced additional fun...

SA Express says it will appeal a judgment by the High Court in Johannesburg - placing the company under business rescue. This after logistics firm, Ziegler, took SA Express to court over its failure to pay 11-million rand in debt and requested that the court place it under business rescue. While SA Express and SAA are both state-owned airlines, they are distinct businesses. SAA was placed into vol...

The Inaugural World Football Summit, which has the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government as its main partner, will take place in Durban next month. Around 1, 200 attendees and over 80 speakers from around the globe are expected to take part. Joining us to discuss economic side of things and also to explain how this event will boost the economy of KZN is….. Guest: Nomusa Dube-Ncube, MEC for Economic...

World News today: How significant is Angela Merkel’s visit to South Africa? South Africa is Germany’s largest trading partner in Africa, while Germany is the third-largest source of overseas visitors to South Africa. Guest: Malte Brosig, Associate Professor at Wits

The ANC Youth League in KwaZulu-Natal has announced its intention to mobilise support for former president Jacob Zuma. They are arguing that the warrant of arrest that was recently issued by the high court against Zuma was a clear indication that the former president would not get a fair trial. To explain their position on this, we are joined by….. Guest: Thanduxolo Sabelo, Secretary of the ANC Yo...

Activist group #UniteBehind has filed court papers to the Western Cape High Court, aiming to overturn a decision by Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula to appoint Bongisizwe Mpondo as the Administrator of the Passenger Rail Association of South Africa (PRASA). The group wants the decision to be declared unlawful, reviewed and set aside. Guest: Matthew Hirsch, Media Liaison officer for #UniteBehind

PRASA Administrator appoints technical advisory team: PRASA's Administrator Bongisizwe Mpondo has appointed his technical advisory team. The Team has been mandated to assist the Passenger Rail Agency to turn the company's fortunes around. Guest: Makhosini Mgitywa, Spokesperson of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA)

The Cultural and Creative Industry Federation of South Africa (CCIFSA) has decided to postpone its Policy conference due to lack of funds. The creative arts industry is thus starved of solutions due to this challenge. Guest: Ayanda Roda, Secretary General of the Cultural and Creative Industry Federation of SA

World News today: Tomorrow marks the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation. The theme for this year's event is "Unleashing Youth Power: One decade of accelerating actions for zero female genital." To observe this day the UNFPA - the United Nations Agency responsible for Sexaul and Reproductive Health and Rights will be doing a movie screening whose title is "A Girl from...

President Cyril Ramaphosa will soon face his first motion of no confidence of the year from one of the country’s newest political parties, the African Transformation Movement. Tomorrow, the party’s president, Vuyo Zungula, will outline reasons why the party wants parliament to vote Ramaphosa out. Guest: Vuyolwethu Zungula, president of the African Transformation Movement (ATM)

Today on Both Sides of the Story we ask, Is it possible for South Africa to build a socially cohesive society? Since the country’s independence and the end of apartheid-era two decades ago - South African society is still very fragmented, with the division being fuelled by poverty, racism, inequality and misunderstanding between ethnic and cultural groups. Guests: Nathi Mthethwa, Minister of Arts...

Yesterday, the Democratic Alliance released its first draft policy document titled 'Values and Principles'. The 'Economic Justice Policy' statement is the first of the three draft policy documents. The three documents are still at a draft stage and will be circulated to DA structures for them to give input to the DA's policy conference to be held early in April this year. Guest: John Moodey, Provi...

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Technology has called on university students to desist from damaging university property when they engage in protest actions. This after violent protest action at the University of the Western Cape and the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where a building was set alight at the Pietermaritzburg campus. Guest: Philly Mapulane, C...

The SA Federation of Trade Unions is accusing the Department of Labour of targeting SAFTU unions for deregistration. This following the department’s decision to deregister Demawusa. Guest: Zwelinzima Vavi, General Secretary of the South African Federation of Trade Unions

We speak to Kaizer Kganyago about yesterday’s search-and-seizure operation that was conducted by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) at Offices of the Master of the High Court across the country. The investigations came after allegations surfaced that an official in Mpumalanga had siphoned at least R1.7 million from the department's coffers. Guest: Kaizer Kganyago, Spokesperson of the SIU

World News today: Yesterday, the Constitutional Court in Malawi nullified the results of last year's presidential election, citing “widespread, systematic and grave” irregularities. A new vote will be held within 150 days, the court said in its unanimous ruling. Guest: Professor Martin Rupiya, from the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes

The Pietermaritzburg High Court issued an arrest warrant for the former president after he failed to appear in court today. Zuma, and his co-accused the French arms manufacturer, Thales are facing multiple charges including corruption, money laundering and racketeering. The charges relate to 780 questionable payments in connection with the controversial arms deal in the 1990's. Meanwhile Zuma's le...

Today on Both Sides of the Story, we look at the Unisa strike that is currently underway asking, why is it difficult for the parties to find a solution? Unisa salary negotiation talks are still at a deadlock. Striking Unisa staff members are demanding a salary increase of 8.9 to 9%, whereas the university is offering only 6.3%. The country wide strike has adversely affected the registration proces...

PAC launch of Robert Sobukwe Month: President of the Pan Africanist Congress, Mzwanele Nyhontso, has called on PAC supporters to uphold the legacy of its founding leader, Robert Sobukwe. He was speaking outside the House of Sobukwe on Robben Island during the launch of Robert Sobukwe Month

4 suspects escape from police custody in Mpumalanga: Police in Mpumalanga are searching for four suspects charged with dangerous crimes, including rape, robbery and murder. They escaped from police custody in Pienaar outside Mbombela. Guest: Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier, Leonard Hlathi

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) and the South African Cabin Crew Association (SACCA) have welcomed the funding of R3.5 billion for South African Airways (SAA) which was received from the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA). The Unions say this money is working capital for the airline which is expected to help with operational expenses until the end of February. Guest...

Mining companies can generate own energy – Mantashe: Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe says government has taken a decision to allow mining companies to generate energy for self-use without getting a licence. He says this is to mitigate the challenges experienced by mining companies due to electricity shortage. The country is currently in the grip of ongoing load shedding which...

Last week, Medscheme appeared before Section 59 Investigation Panel to plead their case. Following allegations made by medical practitioners, including members of the National Health Care Professionals Association that medical schemes in South Africa racially profile the three groups namely; black, Indian and coloured. Guest: Dr Lungi Nyathi, Executive Director for Health Management at AfroCentric...