Update@Noon

The Centre for Child Law, together with Public Interest Law Centre, Section 27 have expressed dismay and shock at the latest death of a young pre-school learner who's body was found in a pit latrine toilet in Vaalbank Village in Glen Grey near Queenstown in the Eastern Cape. Police say the 4-year old's mother went to the school asking about the girl's whereabouts as she did not return home. Jon Ge...

Online publication, Ground Up , has reported that Irvin Jim, the General Secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUMSA) has given Zwelinzima Vavi notice that the Trade union intends to recall him from his role as general secretary of the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) . In the letter seen by Ground Up,  Irvin Jim cites that  Vavi's conduct over a protracted period of time...

 Four independent electricity contractors employed by the municipality of Ekurhuleni to fix electricity at Crywagen Park in were killed by angry community members who suspected them to be cable thieves on Monday afternoon. The ANC  in Ekurhuleni, says its highly concerned about mob behaviour which has resulted to the four fatalities. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to ANC Caucus Whip, Jongizizwe Dlabathi.

The strike by members of NEHAWU in the health sectors continues to impact health services in the Eastern Cape. The strike affects health service provision at Dora Nginza and Livingstone Hospitals. However, the Eastern Cape department of health secured a court order interdicting striking workers from interfering or preventing the department from executing its duties. The interdict also bars the str...

Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla says at least four deaths can be attributed to the strike action. He also hit hit back at workers saying the principle of no work and no pay shall apply as long as the strike continues.

The country's healthcare system has come under strain as workers affiliated to trade union NEHAWU forge ahead with their national strike action. This despite at least five of the country's provincial health departments obtained court orders interdicting the striking workers from interfering nor preventing the department from exercising its duties. The interdict also bars workers from coming within...

Human Rights activist and Daily Maverick Editor, Mark Heywood says the ongoing wage strike by NEHAWU affiliated workers has resulted in the loss of life. Workers in the public sector have downed tools in demand of a 10% wage increase from government. Heywood says it is vital that striking worker do not prevent patients from accessing healthcare.

Disruptions have been reported in all main Gauteng hospitals including at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, Helen Joseph Hospital and the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital. Speaking with SABC reporter, Nothando Magudulela , Nehawu's regional secretary in the province, Vhunani Masindi refuted claims that some strikers pelted cars with stones outside the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital on Wednesday.

Wits SRC deputy president Kamogelo Mabe has announced the suspension of student protests for 24 hours. The SRC say the suspension is on  conditions that Wits university removes police and private security from campus. Mabe and the  SRC Secretary General at  Wits University, Tshiamo  Chuma were briefing the media on the latest update on the ongoing protest.  

Former Public Protector, Thuli Madondela continues to engage with members of Parliament's Section 194 committee probing suspended PP, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane's fitness to hold office. This follows a heated engagement between Madonsela and Mkhwebane's legal representative, Advocate Dali Mpofu yesterday where Madonsela accused Mpofu of conducting himself in an unethical manner. Madonsela has bee...

 Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe says African leaders must be at the forefront on the solutions to fighting problems facing the continent when it comes to energy. Mantashe was delivering his keynote address on the first day of the Africa Energy Indaba, which starts today at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Organisers of the conference say the aim of the Indaba is...

Gun Free South African says it intends on instituting class action against the South African Police Service for deaths and injuries allegedly resulting from corruption and negligence firearms management. GFSA says this stems from the deaths and injuries which occurred due to the actions of Colonel Christian Prinsloo and Colonel David Naidoo who confessed to selling over two-thousand guns in police...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa as the new Minister of Electricity.  Speaking to the nation on Monday night, the president said the new minister's primary task will be to significantly reduce the severity and frequency of load shedding as matter of urgency  Ramokgopa was working in the presidency before he was appointed minister of electricity. He also served as Ma...

 The Police Ministry held a Ministerial Crime Prevention Imbizo in Westbury this morning. Residents had an opportunity to engage with the Minister of Police Bheki Cele , the SAPS and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi. Meanwhile, Police Minister Bheki Cele has deployed a specialised task force to Westbury in Johannesburg for the next 3 months, in an attempt to combat gang violence and the recent incre...

Several public service institutions have been disrupted as the National Education and Health Workers Union (NEHAWU) has forged ahead with its planned public service strike. The strike comes after the union appealed a court order, obtained by the Department of Public Service and Administration, to interdict the strike action. Public servants are unhappy with government's tabled offer averaging at a...

The Democratic Alliance says the $580 000 paid in cash to President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm, was not declared to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) in December 2019. DA leader John Steenhuisen filed a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) request with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) in December 2022,  after Ramaphosa claimed that he had received US$580 000 from on...

Commuters in Johannesburg have been left stranded as Pio-Trans, which operates and manages a wing of Rea Vaya BRT, has run out of fuel. The company, which renders bus services to the City of Johannesburg has parked its busses at its depot. Last Monday drivers downed tools following the non-payment of salaries due to a financial crisis allegedly faced by the company faces. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to...

South Africa is among the countries ranked as having the lowest rate of mental well being in the world.  That's according to the Mental Health Million Project's latest world report.  However, a new research study by the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) reveals that ongoing load shedding in South Africa has strained residents' mental wellbeing.  SABC Specialist Researcher Zandile...

Labour Federation, SAFTU has confirmed that it will join the EFF National Shutdown set for the 20th of March. The march is aimed at expressing concern over the rolling blackouts at Eskom, the rising cost of living, unemployment and crime  amongst other issues.  SAFTU's general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi however warns that their participation in the National Shutdown comes with preconditions. Vavi...

Police Minister, Bheki Cele, says police must do more to ensure those involved in gang-related violence are arrested. Cele visited the Sophiatown police station in Johannesburg this morning following an escalation of gang violence in the area.  The purpose of Cele's visit was to establish the effectiveness of the operational response to the violence, which includes amongst other SAPS units, Crime...

Wits University students in Johannesburg have embarked on a fee-related shutdown protest. Students took to the streets closing the institutions entrances and disrupting the morning traffic. The students are angry over issues over historical debt not being able to register. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter Horisani Sithole 

The The Constitutional Court has dismissed President Cyril Ramaphosa's efforts to seek direct access to overturn an independent panel's findings that he may have violated the Constitution and committed money-laundering in connection with the ongoing Phala Phala saga. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to News24 Karyn Maughan.

The much anticipated cabinet reshuffle by President Cyril Ramaphosa seems to be gaining momentum following the resignation of Deputy President David Mabuza as a Member of Parliament. This has been compounded by the imminent swearing in of Finance Minister as a Member of parliament. Godongwana has been one of two non-parliamentary cabinet members as the president is permitted to appoint a maximum o...

Some Soweto residents say they are not entirely opposed to the roll-out of pre-paid electricity meters. However, they want them to be linked to a monthly flat rate payment. There has been resistance from residents to the installation of the meters since Eskom introduced them in 2013 to improve revenue collection. Last month Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi proposed that Soweto residents' Eskom debt...

Expected rise in strikes, riots and protests are going to test business resilience. This is according to a new report from insurer Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS). The insurer says businesses are increasingly witnessing the impact of protest movements and civil unrest on their operations, a trend that is forecast to grow. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Allianz Head of Property Insurance...