First Take SA

Deputy President Paul Mashatile convened a special meeting yesterday with traditional leaders and the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration to review border and immigration management. The meeting reaffirmed government's commitment to the five-pillar plan aimed at strengthening border security, curbing irregular migration and enforcing immigration laws. Traditional leaders pledged to support re...

The Presidency says President Cyril Ramaphosa is considering the DA's request to remove Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen from cabinet. The DA wants Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Minister Willie Aucamp to take over agriculture, with Western Cape MEC David Maynier moving into Aucamp's portfolio. AfriForum has welcomed Steenhuisen's proposed shortened term and says Aucamp must now focus on...

The Pan South African Language Board, PanSALB is holding a public hearing today at the Southern Sun Hotel, OR Tambo Airport in Kempton Park to examine the use of indigenous languages in South Africa's legal profession. The Legal Practice Council is the main respondent after PanSALB subpoenaed it over English-only admission exams for attorneys, conveyancers and notaries. The Board says the practice...

Organised labour at Nedlac, including Fedusa, has voiced serious concern over rising anti-migrant sentiment and tensions around illegal immigration in South Africa. While recognizing deep frustrations over unemployment, poverty and crumbling services, unions insist migrants are being unfairly blamed for long-standing structural economic failures. They are warning against vigilantism and the exploi...

The Moral Regeneration Movement In North West has strongly condemned the murder of 39-year-old assistant teacher Masego Mosweu. Her body was discovered at her home in Lonely Park village near Mahikeng, allegedly killed by her husband. The suspect appeared in court in absentia yesterday as he recovers in hospital after reportedly attempting to throw himself under a truck. Mosweu, a respected Christ...

Schizophrenia relapse remains a major challenge in South Africa, with about one in three patients experiencing a recurrence within the first year of diagnosis. While this is often blamed on patients not taking their medication, new research from Stellenbosch University suggests the issue runs much deeper, pointing to social, economic, and healthcare system challenges as key drivers. Elvis Presslin...

The South African National Taxi Council, SANTACO has urged South Africans to push for immigration reform only through legal and peaceful channels. The taxi council says it backs stronger border controls and proper documentation but strongly opposes any mass action that could block roads or disrupt transport services. We spoke to Rebecca Phala, SANTACO's National Spokesperson.

The Malawian government has sent additional buses to Durban to repatriate thousands of its nationals sheltering in the city. The move comes as displaced Malawians remain camped near the Refugee Reception Centre on Moore Road following anti-immigration protests and failed plans to relocate them to Sherwood Hall. KZN Premier, Thami Ntuli says a steering committee will now oversee the repatriation pr...

The Democratic Alliance will today hand over a petition to Eskom, opposing planned power cuts in Johannesburg. Last month Eskom issued notice of its intention to reduce, interrupt or terminate electricity supply to parts of Joburg over an unpaid debt of R5.2 billion owed by the City and City Power. The party say residents and businesses should not suffer for the City's unpaid debt to the power uti...

Justice Deputy Minister Andries Nel visited the Virtual Priority Court for immigration cases at Durban Magistrates Court yesterday. The court is part of government's plan to speed up immigration cases and enforce laws more tightly. That plan was announced in the State of the Nation Address and approved by Cabinet earlier this year. Nel said the focus is ensuring all people entering South Africa do...

Gauteng Traffic Police Chief Inspector Samuel Mashaba has been placed on precautionary suspension with immediate effect. The decision follows admissions he made at the Madlanga Commission that may breach the Public Service Code and departmental policy. Allegations include misuse of official powers, state resources and accepting compensation from a member of the public. Mashaba has been ordered to...

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma has confirmed the successful repatriation of Sihle Makhaye's mortal remains from Russia to the province. He died in Russia after allegedly being lured there with the promise of a lucrative job. MEC Duma thanked Minister Ronald Lamola and President Cyril Ramaphosa for deploying a team that worked with his office to complete the pr...

The Democratic Alliance says IPID in KwaZulu-Natal is overwhelmed, handling over 8000 cases with only 24 investigators. The party says this includes 426 deaths linked to police action over two years but just six convictions were secured. DA NCOP member Mzamo Billy says serious delays and docket tracking problems between IPID, the NPA and SAPS are undermining accountability. Mr. Billy joins us on t...

The Forum for South Africa, FOSA is calling for President Cyril Ramaphosa's immediate resignation. FOSA has accused Ramaphosa of dodging accountability through legal appeals and using state resources for personal court battles. National leader Tebogo Mashilompane says the presidency demands integrity the president has failed to show. He joins us on the line to elaborate further on his sentiments.....

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Njabulo Nzuza says about 1,000 Malawian nationals camped outside Sherwood Hall in Durban have been processed and found to be in the country illegally. Congolese Solidarity Campaign President Reverend Raphael Bahebwa disputes this, saying most of the 400 refugees verified on Che Guevara Road hold valid documents. He adds those refugees were instructed this week to re...

A deadly crash on Steve Biko Road in Gezina, Pretoria, last month has led to allegations of police involvement in illegal street racing. 22-year-old Phillip Bezuidenhout, died when a Honda Ballade collided with another car during a drag race. AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit says new evidence suggests some SAPS officers may have organised or ignored weekly races at the site. The unit has submi...

Bafana Bafana opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign on a losing note. A nine men Bafana Bafana side  team lost 2-nil to co-hosts Mexico in the opening match of the tournament last night. South Africa conceded a goal in each half, and their bad record of failing to win their opening match of the World Cup continues. Bafana Bafana have now failed to win their opening match in four tournamen...

The Black Business Unity has raised concerns over growing illegal economic activity in South Africa's townships, informal settlements and urban canters. The group says unregulated trade is hurting compliant businesses, cutting government revenue and slowing local development. The BBU is calling for stronger enforcement of existing laws to protect legitimate operators. For more we're joined by Mich...

Time to take a look at the current top African economic stories.....We are joined on the line by Victor Kgomoesoana, author of  "Africa Is Open For Business" and "Africa Bounces Back". Victor is also the Executive Director for Marketing and Communication at the University of Limpopo

Scores of Nigerians have been repatriated from South Africa. Ahead of the departure, groups of Nigerian nationals gathered at their embassy in Pretoria for registration, documentation checks, and final travel arrangements. The process comes at a sensitive time, with migrant communities in South Africa facing heightened tensions and renewed debate around migration, safety, and integration. To help...

Victims of disasters in Impendle, KwaZulu-Natal are set to receive permanent houses after years in temporary shelters. KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma is expected to handover completed homes today. Over 2,400 houses have been finished so far, with more still under construction. MEC Duma joins us on the line...

Gauteng police are investigating a mass shooting at Jumpers informal settlement in Cleveland, Johannesburg. Twelve people were killed and at least nine others injured after heavily armed suspects opened fire on residents. Rise Mzansi has called for greater accountability and reform in the security sector. Rise Mzansi Joburg mayoral candidate, Lukhona Mnguni joins us now to discuss restoring safety...

Think Tank and Advocacy group Lex Libertas has written to Home Affairs Minister, Dr. Leon Schreiber over concerns about the proposed digital ID system. The group says thousands of public submissions have been received opposing the plan, citing risks around data security and oversight. Lex Libertas argues mandatory logging of verifications and broad powers for the Director-General could enable futu...

The ANCYL and other organisation will today picket at Cartrack's Rosebank office calling for Justice for Gcina Dhladhla who died at the vehicle tracking company. Twenty-nine-year-old Gcina reportedly collapsed and died in a bathroom cubicle. The cause of death is still pending a formal autopsy result. Organisers are calling for public solidarity with her family. We're joined now by Oscar Kanyane,...

Bafana Bafana face co-host Mexico in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup today in Mexico City. South African fans who arrived this week say they are confident ahead of the encounter. The match marks South Africa's return to the tournament's opening fixture on foreign soil. We're joined on the line now by South African legendary football superfan Joy Chauke, better known as Mama Joy