A woman accused of staging her own kidnapping is back in the spotlight, but beyond the criminal charges, the case raises an important question: what is the cost of false kidnapping reports? In KwaThema, a 37-year-old woman who was initially reported kidnapped has been arrested after police
investigations allegedly uncovered a plan to fake her abduction with the help of an accomplice. The alleged scheme was reportedly intended to extort money from her cousin. Cases like this highlight the potential consequences of deliberately misleading the police, from wasting valuable investigative
resources to diverting attention away from genuine kidnapping cases where victims may be in immediate danger. As the legal process unfolds, we look at the impact of false reports on law
enforcement and the people who depend on police to find their missing loved ones.

A woman accused of staging her own kidnapping is back in the&nbsp;spotlight, but beyond the criminal charges, the case raises an&nbsp;important question: what is the cost of false kidnapping&nbsp;reports? In KwaThema, a 37-year-old woman who was initially&nbsp;reported kidnapped has been arrested after police investigations allegedly uncovered a plan to fake her abduction&nbsp;with the help of an accomplice. The alleged scheme was&nbsp;reportedly intended to extort money from her cousin. Cases&nbsp;like this highlight the potential consequences of deliberately&nbsp;misleading the police, from wasting valuable investigative resources to diverting attention away from genuine kidnapping&nbsp;cases where victims may be in immediate danger. As the legal&nbsp;process unfolds, we look at the impact of false reports on law enforcement and the people who depend on police to find their&nbsp;missing loved ones.

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

KwaThema Woman Accused of Staging Her Own Kidnapping  Remains in Custody

For millions of blind and visually impaired people around the world, access to books remains a significant barrier to education, employment and full participation in society. Estimates suggest that only between 1% and 7% of published works are available in accessible formats, including braille,
large print and other formats that people with visual impairments can use. An international agreement known as the Marrakesh Visually Impaired Persons Treaty aims to address
this inequality by making it easier for countries to share accessible books across borders, allowing people to access a much wider range of reading material. South Africa has expressed its intention to join this treaty for years, but its accession remains outstanding. Now, Blind SA, represented by SECTION27, has taken the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mpho Parks Tau, to court over his decision to delay the process until the Copyright Amendment Bill becomes law. The organisation argues that a Constitutional Court order handed down in May 2025 already provides the necessary copyright exceptions to facilitate access to accessible-format works and their cross-border exchange. So, why has South Africa still not joined an agreement that could open the doors to international digital libraries? What are the consequences of this delay for blind and visually impaired South Africans, particularly learners, students and people who rely on accessible reading material? And what does this legal challenge mean for the government’s responsibility to ensure
equal access to information? We speak to SECTION27 about the court challenge, the law and what needs to happen next.

For millions of blind and visually impaired people around the&nbsp;world, access to books remains a significant barrier to&nbsp;education, employment and full participation in society.&nbsp;Estimates suggest that only between 1% and 7% of published&nbsp;works are available in accessible formats, including braille, large print and other formats that people with visual&nbsp;impairments can use. An international agreement known as the&nbsp;Marrakesh Visually Impaired Persons Treaty aims to address this inequality by making it easier for countries to share&nbsp;accessible books across borders, allowing people to access a&nbsp;much wider range of reading material.&nbsp;South Africa has expressed its intention to join this treaty for&nbsp;years, but its accession remains outstanding. Now, Blind SA,&nbsp;represented by SECTION27, has taken the Minister of Trade,&nbsp;Industry and Competition, Mpho Parks Tau, to court over his&nbsp;decision to delay the process until the Copyright Amendment&nbsp;Bill becomes law. The organisation argues that a Constitutional&nbsp;Court order handed down in May 2025 already provides the&nbsp;necessary copyright exceptions to facilitate access to&nbsp;accessible-format works and their cross-border exchange.&nbsp;So, why has South Africa still not joined an agreement that&nbsp;could open the doors to international digital libraries? What are&nbsp;the consequences of this delay for blind and visually impaired&nbsp;South Africans, particularly learners, students and people who&nbsp;rely on accessible reading material? And what does this legal&nbsp;challenge mean for the government&rsquo;s responsibility to ensure equal access to information? We speak to SECTION27 about&nbsp;the court challenge, the law and what needs to happen next.

After 8 is After 8: A legal battle over the right to read

Snuff has been part of many South African households and communities for generations. For some people, it is an everyday habit. For others, it carries a much deeper meaning, rooted in culture, tradition and, in certain practices, spirituality and the relationship with the ancestors. It is often shared among family members, offered to elders and used in traditional settings. But while the practice may be familiar, how much do we really know about what snuff does to the body? Snuff is a tobacco product, and depending on the type and how it is used, it can expose users to nicotine and other potentially harmful substances. Nicotine is addictive, and smokeless tobacco products have been linked to a range of health risks, including damage to oral health. Yet there are people who may assume that because snuff is not smoked, it is less harmful, or that a product used for generations
cannot pose a serious health threat. So, what does the scientific evidence actually tell us? Are people
aware of the risks associated with nasal snuff compared with oral snuff? What happens when regular use becomes dependence, and what are the possible long-term consequences? And how do we
have an honest conversation about these dangers without dismissing the cultural significance snuff holds for many people? Tonight, we separate perception from medical evidence and examine the hidden health risks of snuff, what users need to know, and whether enough is being done to educate our communities. 

Snuff has been part of many South African households and&nbsp;communities for generations. For some people, it is an everyday&nbsp;habit. For others, it carries a much deeper meaning, rooted in&nbsp;culture, tradition and, in certain practices, spirituality and the&nbsp;relationship with the ancestors. It is often shared among family&nbsp;members, offered to elders and used in traditional settings. But&nbsp;while the practice may be familiar, how much do we really know&nbsp;about what snuff does to the body?&nbsp;Snuff is a tobacco product, and depending on the type and how it is&nbsp;used, it can expose users to nicotine and other potentially harmful&nbsp;substances. Nicotine is addictive, and smokeless tobacco products&nbsp;have been linked to a range of health risks, including damage to oral&nbsp;health. Yet there are people who may assume that because snuff is&nbsp;not smoked, it is less harmful, or that a product used for generations cannot pose a serious health threat. So, what does the scientific evidence actually tell us? Are people aware of the risks associated with nasal snuff compared with oral&nbsp;snuff? What happens when regular use becomes dependence, and&nbsp;what are the possible long-term consequences? And how do we have an honest conversation about these dangers without&nbsp;dismissing the cultural significance snuff holds for many people?&nbsp;Tonight, we separate perception from medical evidence and&nbsp;examine the hidden health risks of snuff, what users need to know,&nbsp;and whether enough is being done to educate our communities.&nbsp;

After 8 is After 8: The Hidden Health Risks of Snuff

South Africans struggling with the rising cost of living could get some temporary relief, following Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s latest Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, delivered in Parliament today. The government has announced a temporary reduction in the fuel levy, cutting the levy on diesel by R3 per litre and petrol by R1.50 per litre from the 4th of November until the 1st of December, before the relief is reduced in December and January. The intervention comes as
geopolitical tensions in the Middle East push up global oil prices, putting additional pressure on households and businesses already battling the high cost of living. But beyond the immediate relief at the pumps, the mini-budget presents a broader picture of the state of South Africa’s economy and government’s ability to manage its finances. Godongwana says the country has made progress in
stabilising public debt, with improved revenue collection creating room for government to respond to economic pressures. However, the economic outlook remains challenging, with growth now forecast at just 1.2% for 2026, down from the 1.6% projected in February. Government is also setting aside R10-billion to respond to potential droughts and other risks associated with El Niño. The question now is whether these measures will translate into meaningful relief for ordinary South Africans, while creating the conditions for stronger economic growth, job creation and better service delivery. With municipal elections approaching and persistent concerns about unemployment, infrastructure and the performance of local government, how much confidence should South Africans take from the finance minister’s latest assessment of the economy? And what will it take to turn improved public finances into tangible improvements in people’s daily lives?

South Africans struggling with the rising cost of living could&nbsp;get some temporary relief, following Finance Minister Enoch&nbsp;Godongwana&rsquo;s latest Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement,&nbsp;delivered in Parliament today. The government has announced&nbsp;a temporary reduction in the fuel levy, cutting the levy on diesel&nbsp;by R3 per litre and petrol by R1.50 per litre from the 4th of&nbsp;November until the 1st of December, before the relief is&nbsp;reduced in December and January. The intervention comes as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East push up global oil&nbsp;prices, putting additional pressure on households and&nbsp;businesses already battling the high cost of living.&nbsp;But beyond the immediate relief at the pumps, the mini-budget&nbsp;presents a broader picture of the state of South Africa&rsquo;s&nbsp;economy and government&rsquo;s ability to manage its finances.&nbsp;Godongwana says the country has made progress in stabilising public debt, with improved revenue collection&nbsp;creating room for government to respond to economic&nbsp;pressures. However, the economic outlook remains&nbsp;challenging, with growth now forecast at just 1.2% for 2026,&nbsp;down from the 1.6% projected in February. Government is also&nbsp;setting aside R10-billion to respond to potential droughts and&nbsp;other risks associated with El Ni&ntilde;o.&nbsp;The question now is whether these measures will translate into&nbsp;meaningful relief for ordinary South Africans, while creating the&nbsp;conditions for stronger economic growth, job creation and&nbsp;better service delivery. With municipal elections approaching&nbsp;and persistent concerns about unemployment, infrastructure&nbsp;and the performance of local government, how much&nbsp;confidence should South Africans take from the finance&nbsp;minister&rsquo;s latest assessment of the economy? And what will it&nbsp;take to turn improved public finances into tangible&nbsp;improvements in people&rsquo;s daily lives?

KwaThema Woman Accused of Staging Her Own Kidnapping Remains in Custody

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