Update@Noon

The Electoral Commission (IEC) says rebuilding public trust in electoral democracy is an urgent priority ahead of this year’s local government elections, prompting an extensive outreach drive in KwaZulu-Natal. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to IEC Deputy Chair Janet Love

EFF Secretary-General Marshall Dlamini says the party is proposing an automatic voter registration, where citizens automatically appear on the voters' roll after turning 18. The Independent Electoral Commission ( IEC ) has today launched its communications campaign for the local government elections scheduled for the fourth of November. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the Secretary-General of the Economi...

Many undocumented migrants were arrested in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni. Several businesses, mostly spaza shops and supermarkets, have also been issued with notices for non-compliance. This follows a Spaza Shop Compliance blitz; some business owners have been found to be operating with expired licenses. The operation is in response to the ongoing impasse between South Africans and undocumented migrants...

The US says it has carried out new strikes on Iranian missile sites and naval vessels near Bandar Abbas. The attacks come despite ongoing ceasefire talks involving Iran, Qatar and the United States. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says negotiations continue, but warns Washington will keep vital Gulf shipping lanes open. Iran says progress has been made in talks, but no final agreement is close. Bon...

Thousands of learners have been left stranded for two weeks as scholar transport disruptions continue in the Eastern Cape. Taxi operators from Ngqushwa have shut down services over alleged government non-payment, forcing school closures and severely disrupting teaching and learning. Parents are calling for urgent intervention as tensions escalate between operators and authorities in efforts to res...

About 200 foreign nationals were allegedly chased away from their homes at Effingham informal settlement in Durban. The community says there are tensions in the area but they are divided on the issue of foreign nationals. For more on this we are joined on the line by Chairperson Greenwood Park CPF Subforum 2, Comprising Greenwood Park/Effingham/Avoca/Riverhorse Valley (GEAR), Bongiwe Zwane spoke t...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially filed papers in the Western Cape High Court to review the S89 independent panel report into Phala Phala. From the papers, he seeks only a review not an interim interdict against the pending impeachment process. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Political Analyst, Nkosikhulule Nyembezi..

Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie addressing the Africa Day celebrations at Moruleng Stadium in the North West Province alongside Deputy Minister Peace Mabe. McKenzie said South Africa is facing general crime challenges and rejected claims of targeted violence against specific groups, McKenzie has urged government leaders to engage communities on immigration concerns and listen to t...

The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Ministers are today meeting to address escalating protests linked to immigration and undocumented foreign nationals across the country. Authorities are expected to assess security responses, community tensions and law enforcement coordination as concerns grow over public order and immigration tensions in some provinces. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC News...

About a hundred people have been arrested in Bloemfontein after a planned shutdown protest escalated into the alleged looting of foreign-owned shops in Rocklands township. Police say several suspects were arrested during ongoing demonstrations where a bottle store and other businesses were targeted. The protests are led by the National Service Delivery Forum, which is demanding an end to outsourci...

The South African National Parks says it is deploying additional rangers and will also enhance technology systems to improve surveillance and early warning capabilities at the Kruger National Park. This after an elderly tourist couple was found murdered in the northern remote section of the park on Friday.  Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SANPARKS Spokesperson, JP Louw..

The Mahwelereng magistrate's court has postponed the bail application of the paternal grandparents of two- year- old Omphile Sithole, who disappeared from Ga- Mabuela village outside Mokopane in Limpopo. This to allow the defense to verify a newly submitted address that the accused persons will reside at if granted bail. The grandparents, Vinolia Mabuela and Jacob Ledwaba, aged 52 and 55, are faci...

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 National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has detected two polio virus strains in wastewater samples from a treatment plant in Cape Town, Western Cape. The detection is part of the NICD's routine environmental and wastewater testing aimed at proactive, population-wide disease tracking. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to a pathologist at the Centre for Vaccines and Immunology at NICD, Dr Kerrig...

A group of the 457 foreign nationals verified by Home Affairs in Durban yesterday are insisting on staying in Durban's CBD, citing safety fears. The group spent the night outside the Durban Refugee Reception Centre. Wivine Bahati from the Democratic Republic of Congo says many remain afraid to return to their communities following recent immigration tensions in Durban. She spoke to Sakina Kamwendo...

Home Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal say their operations have verified at least 457 foreign nationals as legally documented, while only two individuals were found to be undocumented. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to KZN Home Affairs provincial manager Cyril Mncwabe    

Undocumented nationals are today being transported by buses to a refugee processing centre under tight police supervision, following rising community tensions. Officials say the relocation is aimed at verifying documentation and assessing legal status. However, some of those affected insist they are in South Africa legally, holding valid permits, Hundreds of undocumented nationals, including young...

KZN Red Cross provincial manager Siyabonga Hlatshwayo says they have this week been providing undocumented nationals sheltering at the Darkodnia centre with basic necessities. Hundreds of undocumented nationals, including young children, have fled their homes to seek refuge at the Diakonia Centre. The group claims they are facing severe victimisation, harassment, and death threats from local commu...

South Africa's National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) has classified an additional National Disaster in response to a more severe, intense weather system hitting the country. The Head of the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), Dr Elias Sithole, classified another national disaster this week. The Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, and Free State have been heavily impacted, with...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reportedly approached Chief Justice Mandisa Maya seeking permission to legally review the controversial Phala Phala independent panel report.  The Phala Phala independent panel report has recommended a possible impeachment inquiry against him. According to reports, this is a procedural legal step because the panel was chaired by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcob...

Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs says it is closely monitoring the developments in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, involving undocumented nationals. The committee says engagements are underway between the Department of Home Affairs, SAPS, refugee representatives, and the Southern Africa Refugee Forum. undocumented nationals are being requested to present documentation for verification as au...

At least 10 people have died and several others injured following a head-on collision between a minibus taxi and a bus on the R39 between Standerton and Morgenzon in Mpumalanga. Authorities say all the deceased were occupants of the taxi, including the driver. The department of community safety and security says the crash happened in misty conditions shortly just after 5am early today. Bongiwe Zwa...

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has requested a formal investigation into the alleged unauthorised use of the Coat of Arms by the Somali Association of South Africa (Sasa). The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture said it had noted what appears to be the Coat of Arms, or a reproduction thereof, being incorporated into the association's logo and branding materials. Bongiwe Zwan...

Eskom has served the City of Johannesburg with a notice of intention to reduce or entirely terminate its electricity supply. The move comes as the city battles to meet its payment obligations, racking up a massive debt of over five-billion rand over several years. The city has until the fifth of June to pay up an additional amount of 1.5-billion rand. Eskom has offered to collect revenue on behalf...

Civil organisations, political parties and lobby groups are today leading an anti-illegal foreign national's march in Pinetown, west of Durban, calling for stricter enforcement of immigration laws and border control. Organisers say the demonstration aims to highlight community concerns over service pressure and safety. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SABC reporter Celumusa Zulu