Update@Noon

Reviving the country's economy, job creation, sustainable energy and the killing of SANDF members in the DRC among others, are set to top the agenda of the first Cabinet Lekgotla of the year which starts in Pretoria later today (Wednesday 29 January). The two-day meeting comes at a time when there are serious tensions among some GNU partners over a number of bills, which President Cyril Ramaphosa...

President Cyril Ramaphosa, in a heartfelt statement, has extended condolences to the bereaved families of the South African soldiers in the DRC, vowing full support as the process of repatriating their remains gets underway. He has assured the nation that South African troops remain resolute, well-equipped, and supported in their mission under the SADC peacekeeping mandate. Amid swi...

Police in Mpumalanga have intensified visibility after 51 Putco buses were set ablaze in the Nkangala District last night. Armed suspects, reportedly in a white Toyota Quantum, targeted depots in Kwamhlanga and Siyabuswa.  In a statement  Mpumalanga police say at Kwamhlanga, 16 buses were burned after 15 suspects stormed a depot, held staff at gunpoint, and injured a security guard. In S...

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has confirmed the tragic loss of three soldiers during clashes near Goma Airport in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo yesterday, 27 January 2025. In a statement  the defence force says the incident occurred when M23 rebels launched mortar shells, striking the SANDF base. Additionally, one injured soldier succumbed to his wounds follo...

Government officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo have announced that the army is now controlling most of the town of Goma in the country's eastern region. However, the M23 rebels are adamant that they are controlling the town. For an update on the situation in the DRC, Sakina Kamwendo spoke to a journalist in Goma in the Eastern DRC, Emmet Livingstone. 

DA leader, John Steenhuisen has warned the ANC to treat his party as a coalition partner in the Government of National Unity or run the risk of tarnishing relations between the parties. Steenhuisen has been addressing the media on recent political developments and preparations for the upcoming local government elections. This follows an important meeting of the DA Federal Council where tensions wi...

South Africa has deplored what it termed "unwarranted attacks" against the U.N. Peacekeeping Mission in the DRC and SADC's Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) and called on the Security Council to take decisive action against callous acts aimed and undermining its role in the maintenance of international peace and Security. Ambassador Mathu Joyini was addressing an exceptional em...

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has paid tribute to nine soldiers killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) this week, calling them gallant fighters who heroically halted the M23 rebels' advance on Goma. This comes amid calls for SA troops in DRC to be called back or withdrawn of their deployment in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The tragic losses have sparked criticism,...

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has paid tribute to nine soldiers killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) this week, calling them gallant fighters who heroically halted the M23 rebels' advance on Goma. This comes amid calls for SA troops in DRC to be called back or withdrawn of their deployment in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The tragic losses have sparked criticism,...

The UN Security Council has demanded an immediate halt to the M23 rebel offensive advancing towards Goma in eastern Congo, urging "external forces" to withdraw from the region. The council called for renewed talks between Rwanda and the DRC to address tensions, including the presence of Rwandan-backed M23 forces and Congolese support for Hutu militias. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC News Internatio...

Mogalakwena local municipality in Limpopo has taken legal action to withdraw the appointments of hundreds of illegally appointed municipal workers.  The sheriff of the local court has delivered just over two-hundred summons to employees to appear in the Polokwane High court in March. This after the special investigating Unit had recommended to the municipality that it declares the appointment...

A legal storm is brewing as lobby group AfriForum threatens to take legal action against the Government of National Unity following President Cyril Ramaphosa signing of the controversial Expropriation Bill into law. The law replaces the apartheid-era Expropriation Act of 1975 and comes after a lengthy five-year process of public consultations and parliamentary deliberations. It sets out the condit...

This Friday, SAfm’s radio anchor Sakina Kamwendo once again spoke to Martin Creamer, publishing editor of Engineering News & Mining Weekly, delving deeper into the world of mining and engineering.  

The Judicial Conduct Tribunal probing sexual harassment allegations against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge is continuing with the cross-examination of Judges' Secretary, Andiswa Mengo. Counsel for Mbenenge, Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane has focused on what they describe as Mengo's "omissions", in her complaint against the top judge. Mengo is accusing Mbenenge of sexual harassment during th...

Twenty-five survivors and families of those who forcibly disappeared or were allegedly  killed during South Africa's struggle for democracy have filed a court application against the President and the government, seeking constitutional damages for the political suppression of the apartheid-era cases referred by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to the National Prosecuting Authority. The...

Acting North West Commissioner, Major-General Patrick Asaneng has shed more light into the mysterious escape of an illegal mining kingpin, James, "the Tiger", Tshoaeli was arrested last week in Stilfontein as part of a group of illegal miners who came up to the surface following months of being underground. He is believed to have a significant influence and role in illegal operations in the region...

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services, Kgomotso Ramolobeng, says South African prisons faced a staggering 48% overcrowding rate during the 2023/2024 financial year. There are 156-thousand inmates crammed into facilities designed for just 105,474, according to Correctional Services Portfolio Committee Chairperson Ramolobeng. Speaking at a media briefing alongside other...

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is going to suspend payments to beneficiaries of the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant who are suspected of fraud. SASSA says it has implemented this activity to ensure that the Agency pays social grants to the right people and avoid identity theft. The Agency is also encouraging people to take responsibility to make sure that their Ide...

The Department of Correctional Services has dismissed reports that five Correctional Services officials have been dismissed after an inmate Bacelio Alphonso was allegedly assaulted and died at Leeuwkop Prison in Johannesburg on the 30th of December last year. Alphonso's family alleged that a source within the prison, informed them that Alphonso was beaten to death by officials who claimed he attac...

The Democratic Alliance has dismissed allegations against Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson, labeling them as a smear campaign aimed at undermining his anti-corruption efforts. The DA claims the accusations, by the EFF, are an attempt to discredit Macpherson's work in uncovering an R800-million oxygen tender scandal within the Independent Development Trust (IDT). Earlier today, EFF Secretary G...

The Judicial Conduct Tribunal tasked with probing sexual harassment allegations against Judge President Selby Mbenenge continues to cross-examine complainant, Judges' Secretary, Andiswa Mengo. Mengo has accused Mbenenge of sexual harassment in the form of in-person interaction and electronic communication. She now faces tough questions from Mbenenge's counsel, Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane. Mengo &nbsp...

City Power is appealing to law enforcement agencies to assist with the removal of the zama-zamas whom they say have been living in underground tunnels in the Inner City and stealing electricity copper cables. City Power says there has been an overwhelming increase in the activity underground which is the source of the recent outages affecting the Inner City and the surrounding areas. Sakina Kamwen...

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, Xola Nqola, has announced that the Parliamentary Committee on Justice will be conducting oversight visits to the Office of the State Attorney and engaging with the Solicitor-General. Speaking at a media briefing in Parliament alongside other National Assembly oversight committee chairpersons from the Peace and Se...

Secretary to Judge President Selby Mbenenge; Andiswa Mengo has testified that she was NOT in a romantic relationship with Judge President Selby Mbenenge nor did she ever consent to the alleged conduct by the top Judge. The Judicial Conduct Tribunal probing sexual harassment allegations against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge continues to hear evidence from the complainant Andiswa Mengo...

Around 800- thousand non compliant companies that are going to be de-registered. The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) says the decision is a results of continued low compliance with annual returns, beneficial ownership, and other obligations under the Companies Act. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to CIPC Senior Manager Companies and Close Corporations Advocate Christa Klokow