Update@Noon

The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) is seeking reparations for municipalities following collusion in the procurement of infrastructure for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup. Several construction companies were fined over 1.4 billion by the Competition Commission for anti-competitive behaviour. It's since emerged there might have been a settlement agreement reached between the compa...

1. Fed cuts by 25bps but temper expectations for further hike. Markets surge! 2. Dutch elections indicate a win for Liberals, supports risk appetite for Euro. 3. SA retail sales remained weak in January showing that consumer headwinds remain. Sakina Kamwendo speaks to Mohammed Nalla, Head Strategic Research at Nedbank CIB, for more.

Some of the people who will be directly and negatively affected if social grants are not paid in two weeks' time are the Disabled People South Africa (DPSA). The National Chairperson for DPSA, Robert Masambo, says the announcement that the grants will be paid by the 1st of April is not enough. He says the DPSA is anxious over the SASSA crisis. Robert Masambo speaks to Sakina Kamwendo for their rea...

1. It is a negative picture in Asia following a negative close on Wall Street. 2. Iron Ore Prices rebounding again this morning, up over 5% following a strong rally yesterday. Sakina Kamwendo speaks to Maudi Len-tsoane, group CEO at Lehumo Investments for more.

1. SA mining production beats estimates but manufacturing disappointed. Outlook for Q1 still positive though. 2. S&P conference in Johannesburg yesterday shared their thoughts on Our credit ratings. 3. Today is D-day for the Fed with Yellen expected to hike by 25bps. Sakina Kamwendo speaks to Mohammed Nalla, Head Strategic Research at Nedbank CIB for more.

Net1 UEPs, the controversial parent company of social grants distributor Cash Paymaster Services, has warned that if it does not sign a new interim contract with SASSA and Treasury by today, more than 17million people will not get their grants by the 1st of April. The Constitutional Court will today hear non-profit organisation Black Sash's application to seek the reinstatement of the court's over...

ANC struggle veteran, Ahmed Kathrada remains in a stable condition at the Johannesburg hospital following an operation. His foundation says he is sedated and recovering slowly. The 87-year-old was initially admitted last week for dehydration, but doctors found a clot from his brain which was removed. Doctors say the ANC stalwart is in a stable, but unpredictable condition. Sakina Kamwendo speaks t...

1. Asian Markets trading mixed 2. Scotland to seek second independence referendum, as UK gives greenlight to BREXIT. Ike Phahlane speaks to Maudi Len-tsoane, group CEO at Lehumo Investments for more.

Lawyers representing the doctor who was found guilty of culpable homicide, say Dr. Danie van der Walt will not be removed from the Health Professionals Council of South Africa. They say he was ordered to pay a fine after the conclusion of the council investigations on this matter. Doctor Van der Walt appeared at the Witbank Magistrate's court in Mpumalanga for sentecing yesterday. Mthobisi Mkhalip...

Durban has been stripped of the right to stage the 2022 Commonwealth Games after a trail of missed deadlines and financial problems that highlight the daunting burdens facing host cities for major sporting events. The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) said yesterday that the South African coastal city had failed to meet the promises contained in its bid, and the search for a replacement host is...

1. Chinese industrial production and retail sales data indicates that 2017 started on a firm footing. Mohammed? 2. We have Dutch elections this week as well a talk of a second Scottish referendum weigh on Eurozone outlook. 3. Local focus on manufacturing and mining data coming out today. What should we expect Mohammed? Ike Phahla speaks to Mohammed Nalla, Head Strategic Research at Nedbank CIB.

Today marks the deadline for Corruption Watch to publicly retract statements that were allegedly made by its Executive Director, David Lewis, that Cash Paymaster Services (CPS) is involved in corrupt activities in procuring the contract to pay social grants on behalf of SASSA. The Executive Director of Corruption Watch David Lewis says the sentiments expressed by Corruption Watch were previously s...

South Africa and Nigeria have agreed to set up an early warning system to avoid violence and intimidation against foreign immigrants recurring. International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane met with her Nigerian counterpart Geoffrey Onyeama in Pretoria, yesterday. The two have agreed to strengthening the bilateral relations as well as greater continental co-operation at the highest echel...

One of Kimberley's busiest intersections came to a standstill last night, as the community honoured two police officers who were gunned down last week. Warrant officer Duncan Vertue and Sergeant Gregory Vis died in a shoot-out with a former policeman - who was embroiled in a domestic dispute with his police officer wife. Our reporter Reginald Witbooi attended the wreath laying and filed this repor...

Victims of a fire at Imizamo Yethu in Hout Bay in the Cape Peninsula have begun rebuilding their shacks. Various NGOs are working with the City of Cape Town to coordinate and distribute aid.15 000 people were affected in Saturday morning's fire when 3500 structures were destroyed. Two people were killed in the blaze. Spokesperson for the City of Cape Town, Charlotte Powell, says 90 percent of the...

1. US jobs numbers strong, sealing the case for a FED hike this week 2. EM FX under pressure on strong dollar but global search for yield still a strong theme 3. Oil prices continue to slide as US shale undermine OPEC ability to drain surplus. Bongi Gwala speaks to Mohammed Nalla, Head Strategic Researcher at Nedbank CIB, for more.

1. Asian shares mostly higher on the back of strong US Jobs report 2. Domestic Economic Data due for release this week: Mining, retail sales to offer growth signals. Bongi Gwala speaks to Maudi Len-tsoane, group CEO at Lehumo Investments for more.

The ANC has admitted it needs to address and look into its internal challenges such as social distance between members and leadership, poor governance and abuse of organizational processes. This is contained in the party's Policy Discussion Documents on Organisational Renewal launched in Johannesburg yesterday. These proposals are set to be discussed when the party holds its 5th National Policy Co...

The community of Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape has set alight two suspects who they allege were terrorising residents around the small town. Four other suspects were rescued by the police who received information that the suspects who call themselves "The Vampires " were apprehended and about to be burned alive, allegedly by the angry community. The community also marched to the local police stat...

Acting National Police Commissioner Kgomotso Phahlane says the one month old baby who was allegedly kidnapped in Durban is now at a place of safety. Police rescued the baby this morning from a vehicle on the N3 highway at the Mariannhill Toll Plaza. The child's mother and two other suspects who were in the same vehicle have been arrested. A massive search was launched on Friday after the mother, S...

The ANC has admitted it needs to address and look into its internal challenges such as social distance between members and leadership, poor governance and abuse of organizational processes. This is contained in the party's Policy Discussion Documents on Organisational Renewal launched in Johannesburg today. These proposals are set to be discussed when the party holds its 5th National Policy Confer...

Mohammed Nalla, Head Strategic Research at Nedbank CIB looks at how the strong US jobs numbers strong will influence the a possible Federal Reserve hike this week, EM FX under pressure on strong dollar but global search for yield still a strong theme and oil prices continue to slide as US shale undermine OPEC ability to drain surplus

Maudi Lentsoane, group CEO at Lehumo Investments looks at the Asian shares mostly higher on the back of strong US Jobs report and the Domestic Economic Data due for release this week, what's to be expected?

Market Clive Ntozabantu Ramathibela looks at South Korean equities which rose slightly amid growing political uncertainty after President Park Geun-hye's impeachment ruling boosting even the rest Asian Markets, oil is heading to $42 after speculators throw in the towel and recruitment agencies found by Competition Commission to be colluding

Heavy rains in the Northern Cape have claimed the lives of four people near the Augrabies Falls national park near Kakamas. Four farm workers are believed to have been swept away in the Orange River and drowned. Police have retrieved three bodies. The search for the fourth body is continuing. Lerato Segalo reports