Update@Noon

Tens of thousands of South Africans looking for employment have criminal records, and these numbers are increasing. That's according to statistics by a recruitment agency called Employers Mutual Protection Services, that deals with background screening and criminal checks among other things. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the CEO of Employers Mutual Protection Services, Kirsten Halcrow

The Department of Trade and Industry is currently drafting new regulations to curb alcohol abuse in the country. The department is considering tightening up on alcohol manufacturers, distributors, advertisers and sponsors as well as raising the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 years. For more Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Deputy Director General at DTI Zodwa Ntuli...

1. SA unemployment data surprises market 2. U.S. Federal Reserve FOMC last night indicates still on track for a hike 3. Eyes on some global and domestic data releases today , U.S. GDP , SA budget and PPI

Parliament's Rules Committee has adopted interim rules on how to deal with disruptions in the National Assembly. These will be presented to the House for approval on Thursday. This follows recommendations by the sub-Rules Committee that members who disrupt the proceedings of the National Assembly would be physically removed if they did not abide by the instructions of the presiding officer. Zalene...

A climate of terror prevails in Mitchells Plain on the Cape Flats because of ongoing gang-related killings. This follows the recent death of an alleged leader of the Hard Livings gang. Five more people have been killed in the past week and at least three others wounded. Members of the Community Policing Forum in the area are gravely concerned at the simmering gang war. For more Sakina Kamwendo spo...

Schools in Port Elizabeth's northern areas are expected to re-open this morning after two days of riots. The schools were shut down by angry parents over teacher shortages on Monday. A protest turned violent with police using rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. Eastern Cape Education MEC, Mandla Makupula, has appealed to the schools to submit employment documents to speed up the process. For mor...

1. Dollar softens on weak data ahead of FOMC today. Helps rand gain a little 2. Some company results out yesterday from Mondi and MTN. Take us through the key points 3. Eyes on SA employment data today

The city of Durban turned into a war zone following yet another clash between the members of the Nazareth Baptist Church who are embroiled in a bitter leadership tussle. Police struggled to disperse a crowd of over 300 congregants using rubber bullets and tear gas. Yesterday, at least two people were injured following clashes outside the Durban High Court where the matter of the church's rightful...

Tension is running high as family members and the legal team of murder accused, Christopher Panayiotou, await the outcome of his second bail attempt. After bail was denied in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate's Court, they opted to appeal in the Grahamstown High Court. Judge Glen Goosen reserved judgement last week, and Panayiotou will know on Tuesday if he will have to remain behind bars or not. He i...

The Durban High Court has been forced to adjourn the Shembe leadership case following yet another scuffle that broke out between two factions of the charismatic church. The confrontation happened after Boy Qwabe, who was supposed to testify today, was denied entrance to court. The scuffle left at least two people injured. Lawyer of Mduduzi Shembe Rajesh Choundree, tried to calm the angry crowd...

The Eastern Cape Education MEC, Mandla Makupula is this morning going to Port Elizabeth to meet parents as schools remain closed in the northern areas of the city. Parents went on a violent protest following claims that several schools in the region might be closed due to a teacher shortage. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to MEC Mandla Makupula....

1. Asian Stocks Fall as China Rout Triggers Drop in Global Equities 2. Fiat Chrysler's Record Fine Shows Trust Eroding in Carmakers 3. Private equity on the African continent still struggling to attract funds

The South African Post Office says workers who did not receive their July salaries have now been paid. Many of the parastatal's employees learnt last week that payday would come late this month. For more Sakina kamwendo spoke to SAPO acting CEO Mlungisi Mathonsi

Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) says it is seeking legal advice after it received a letter of resignation from suspended Head of Engineering Daniel Mthimkhulu. A week ago, Mthimkulu was suspended with immediate effect following reports that he was not officially registered with the profession's statutory body. The agency's Chief Executive Officer Lucky Montana was removed from his po...

Team MTN-Qhubeka celebrates their fifth place victory at the Tour de France cycling challenge as debut entrants. The team finished off a memorable race in fifth place overall out of 22 teams. For more Sakina Kamwendo spoke to MTN Qhubeka's team principal, Douglas Ryder…

1. China stocks extend biggest rout in 8 years 2. Oil market glut pushes prices lower 3. Hulamin and Group five updates yesterday shed light on tough busieness environment

National Union of mineworkers, NUM, says it is shocked by Lonmin's plans to close some of its shafts. This will result to 6 000 jobs losses in the mining industry. Sakina Kamwendo speaks to NUM's Chief Negotiator at Lonmin, Erick Gcilitshana.

Our market analyst Clive Ramathibela talks about: Asian stocks fell, following the worst week for global equities this year, Oil bulls flee at fastest pace in three years as Glut expands and Nestle changes India chief amid row over Maggi noodle quality

The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) says Hepatitis infections are threatening safe blood supply. However the national blood service says this preventable. The SANBS is joining World Hepatitis Alliance partners in raising awareness of the disease on this year's World hepatitis Day on Tuesday. SANBS's Vanessa Raju spoke to Sakina Kamwendo

As the number of people waiting for houses in the Western Cape edges close to half a million, desperate individuals and families have erected structures in some of the most unlikely places to live - cemeteries around Cape Town. While the City of Cape Town cannot quantify exactly how widespread the phenomenon is, it says affected cemetries include Maitland, Durbanville and Groote Schuur. Destitute...

The Nkandla Adhoc Committee resumes in Parliament this week to continue with deliberations following the site visit to the President Jacob Zuma's private homestead. And the Public Protector maintains that she is willing to appear before the Adhoc Committees if she is invited. The committee was established to consider Police minister Nathi Nhleko report which found that the president was not liable...

The National Union of mineworkers (NUM) says it is shocked by Lonmin's plans to close some of its shafts. This will result in 6 000 jobs losses in the mining industry. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to NUM's Chief Negotiator at Lonmin, Erick Gcilitshana

Market update with Mohammed Nalla of Nedbank: the rand plummets to its weakest levels against dollar late on Friday, Global risk off trade continues as US equities soften and Chinese data weakens continuing risk off trade

Depending on where you are, we all have been a victim of poor cell phone reception at some point or another, some of us more than others. General Manager of Policy & Research from ICASA, Pieter Grootes...

Health minister, Aaron Motsoaledi has given the green light on proposed amendments to the Medical Schemes Act. The amendments mainly focus on the Prescribed Minimum Benefits and the way they are paid. If and when the amendment is passed in Parliament, it will mean that healthcare providers will subscribe to a regulated tariff and members will receive uninterrupted treatment and care. Medical Schem...