Update@Noon

Court proceedings have concluded for the day in the Joshlin Smith kidnapping and human trafficking. The three convicted human traffickers, Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn appeared in court in the High Court today ahead of sentencing procedures on the West Coast next week. Andile Mbanjwa reports...

Members of  Parliament's Finance Committee on Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals are not happy that  Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is today not present at the sitting but will instead speak to them virtually. The proposed budget he tabled in parliament on Wednesday proposes fuel hike levy Committee members feel that this is too much of an important matter for the minister not to...

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) says operations are underway to hoist to the surface, the almost 300 miners who are trapped underground at Sibanye-Stillwater's Kloof 7 shaft, near Johannesburg. The miners have been underground following a reported incident which took place late last night. It is alleged that there was equipment failure, resulting in damage to the exit point of the shaft. B...

Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu has dismissed claims of a white geneocide in South Africa. He was speaking during the SAPS fourth quartely crime statistics being delivered in Pretoria. Mchunu says although he respects the US president, Donald Trump, he has no respects of his false claims of a white genocide in South Africa...

Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng has ordered that vehicle tracking evidence of all vehicles that were present when one of the accused in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial was arrested be given to the defence. This after defence counsel Charles Mnisitold the High Court in Pretoria that the movement of the vehicles was central to Muzi Sibiya's defence. Sibiya and four others are on trial for the murder of forme...

Former President, Thabo Mbeki has called on African leaders to advance the continent's priorities in the upcoming G20 Leaders Summit. Speaking to members of the media on the sidelines of preparations of the 15th Thabo Mbeki Africa Day Lecture, Mbeki said the G20 summit will provide a platform for Africa's issues to be placed on the global agenda. Boingiwe Zwane spoke to International editor, Sophi...

Two women accused of stealing two babies from Dora Nginza hospital in the Eastern Cape are appearing at the New Brighton magistrates court. The two premature babies (2 and 4 days old)  were abducted from Dora Nginza hospital on Tuesday night, and were found on Wednesday with two women bringing them back to the hospital. The two women have been arrested and are appearing in court today. Bongiw...

Spurs beat Manchester United 1-0 to win the Europa League title last night. For United, it's the end of an average season, but for Spurs, it's a light at the end of the tunnel. But what are the thoughts of their manager, Ange Postacoglu.  Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC Sports News Anchor, Jon Gericke

ANC Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula has reacted with dismay at the conduct of US president, Donald Trump during his engagement with President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Oval office, in the White House yesterday. Mbalula has however lauded Ramaphosa for his composure and conduct, stressing the exposed reasons behind some of the sentiments and stance of the Trump administrations against the country. M...

 Police in the Eastern Cape province have arrested two women, aged 25 and 26, in connection with the abduction of two infants at Dora Nginza Hospital. The babies were allegedly stolen from the maternity ward on Tuesday night. Provincial Police Spokesperson, Sandra Janse van Rensburg, says one of the police officers was exiting the premises of the hospital when he noticed two women and called...

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected at the White House at approximately 5.30pm today (Wednesday 21 May) for a much-anticipated bilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. Chief Diplomat Ronald Lamola, part of a quartet of ministers who briefed the President yesterday, confirmed that the delegation was upbeat and looking forward to reset what he described as a mutually beneficial relation...

It's the sixth European final to be contested between two English sides, and the third to involve Tottenham, who are chasing their first major trophy of any description in 17 years. Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim will look to the club's ninth European final to inject some life into his faltering tenure at Old Trafford. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC Sports News Anchor, Jon Gericke 

Analysts expect that South Africa's National Budget will be passed following significant consultation among parties within the government of national unity.  This comes as Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana, prepares to make his third attempt at tabling the National Budget this afternoon (Wednesday 21 May) in Cape Town, following a standoff over a VAT hike which National Treasury has since wi...

The South African national uner-20 football side arrived back in South Africa this morning. Amajita won their first ever Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations title in Cairo on Sunday. They also qualified for the 2025 Under-20 FIFA World Cup to be held in Chile later this year. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC Sports News Anchor, Jon Gericke 

The department of Home Affairs is currently briefing Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs on a number of issues, including state-funded legal representation for undocumented foreign nationals. The department is also providing update on its collaboration with the Department of Social Development on services provided to undocumented foreign and migrant children.  Sakina Kamwendo spo...

The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it has written to the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Finance, Dr Joseph Maswanganyi, to request an urgent hearing on the financial and ethical crisis at Daybreak Foods. This comes as the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) on Friday injected a further R74 million into the embattled farming establishment in a bid to pay for outstanding salaries for April,...

The Winter season is gearing up to get into full swing. A severe cold front is making its way to various parts of the country from today. The cold front is expected to bring snow and a chilly drop in temperatures in some provinces. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC Meteorologist, Azwitakadzi Tuwani. 

Yet another electricity substation in the Tshwane Metro went up in flames this morning. Some parts of Centurion and Pretoria East experience power supply interruption after explosion at Swartkop substation. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Tshwane Metro spokesperson, Selby Bokaba

The Presidency says it hopes President Cyril Ramaphosa and his US counterpart President Donald Trump will have a positive engagement next week. Ramaphosa is set to meet with Trump on Wednesday in Washinton DC. This comes as Pretoria and Washington DC have strained bilateral relations. The presidency says this will offer the two countries a golden opportunity to reset their strategic relationship....

The trial of the three accused in the February 2020 theft at President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm has been postponed and will resume later in the year at the Modimolle Regional Court in Limpopo.  Immanuela David and siblings, Floriana and Ndilinasho Joseph, allegedly broke into President Ramaphosa's farm and stole over 580 000 US dollars hidden in a sofa. Immanuela David has been deni...

The area surrounding the Union Buildings, in the City of Tshwane, is a sea of red as the Economic Freedom Fighters lead their "VAT victory march" to National Treasury.  Scores of EFF supporters have gathered to celebrate the Western Cape High Court's decision to set aside the 0.5 percentage point increase  VAT increase, following an application brought by the EFF and Democratic Alliance....

Mamelodi Sundowns completed their league fixtures with a 2-0 win over Magesi yesterday. The men from Pretoria had already been crowned champions but celebrated in style at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium. Sundowns lost just four games and drew once in their 28 matches. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC Sports News Anchor, Jon Gericke 

Gauteng police have confirmed that two people have died during a violent protest action which took place in Diepkloof, Soweto earlier today. This comes after a truck was looted and set alight during the protest, causing major disruptions to traffic flow. The protest is believed to have been sparked by resident demanding improved service delivery amongst other issues. Police spokesperson, Colonel M...

Water & Sanitation Minister, Pemmy Majodina, is expected to conduct an oversight inspection of the Rooiwal Waste Water Treatment plant and Klipdrift Package plant in Hammanskraal. The inspection is part of a broader effort to ensure safe and clean water access for the Hammanskraal community. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SANCO's regional chairperson in the area, Velaphi Khoza...

Members of Parliament's Justice and Constitutional development committee lashed out at the National Prosecuting Authority today, following the acquittal of the Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso. In April this year, Omotoso and two fellow accused were acquitted from charges of rape of several of his church congregants, human trafficking and racketeering. The NPA, led by its head, advocate Sham...