Midday Live

Today on Update At Noon we had a power packed show for you with the latest on: * The investigations into the fire that killed five people in Pietermaritzburg in KZN; *The two children aged five and seven who are fighting for their lives after a house they were sleeping in was allegedly petrol bombed at Mvelaphanda village, outside Vuwani, in Limpopo. *The Khutsong Community Clinic in Carltonville on Gauteng's West Rand that has no access to running water. *Plus our lead: The police and owner of Forensic Data Analysts (FDA) have agreed to withdraw the police commissioner's urgent application to prevent FDA from switching the police's IT systems off because of non payment. The urgent application was supposed to be heard today in the High Court in Pretoria but has since been struck off the roll. Last week, FDA's Keith Keating threatened to stop the SAPS from accessing certain systems that his company installed for the them. Keating is in the centre of corruption allegations against former police commissioner, Kgomotso Phalane. We spoke to the Chairperson of the standing committee on public accounts, Themba Godi on this matter.

Speakers at the memorial service of struggle stalwart the late Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, have paid tribute to her during an official memorial service currently being held at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto. People from all walks of life as well as supporters from different political parties are attending. Madikizela-Mandela's grandchildren and great-grandchildren also expressed their feelings about her passing. The icon died last week Monday at Milkpark hospital in Johannesburg after complaining of flue-like symptoms. Update At Noon has been broadcasting from Soweto.

Crowds continue to gather outside the home of the late struggle icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in Soweto to pay their respect. Flags will fly at half-mast for the next ten days in honour of the former ANC Women's League president. Many have described her as fearless and committed to the struggle against apartheid, despite the harsh treatment meted out against her which included imprisonment. Former president Jacob Zuma visited the home earlier today and says Madikizela-Mandela was an inspiration to all.

Former real estate agent and convicted racist Vicki Momberg's application for leave to appeal her guilty conviction and three year sentence for crimen injuria has been postponed to next Wednesday. Last week, Momberg was sentenced to three years in prison, with one year suspended, for her racist tirade in 2016. She was found guilty on four counts of crimen injuria after she lashed out at a black police officer who helped her after an alleged smash-and-grab incident in Northriding, Johannesburg. She has come under fire from social media users for arriving in court spotting cornrows. Our reporter Sashin Naidoo was in court.

Six people have been hacked to death at the village of KwaZulu in Mbizana in the Eastern Cape following a faction fight with a neighbouring village over lobolo. Scores of people were critically injured and taken to St Patricks's Hospital in Mbizana. It's alleged that the fight broke out after a family from Mkhandlweni village demanded that the lobolo paid to a kwaZulu family be paid back. Nkululeko Nyembezi compiled this report.

Events are planned across the United States to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the assassination of civil rights leader Dr Martin Luther King Jr. The 39 year-old Baptist Minister died in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4th 1968, while standing on the second-floor balcony of the Lorraine Motel when a sniper's bullet struck him in the neck sparking rioting in more than 100 cities across the country. Correspondent Sherwin Bryce-Pease looks back at that fateful day and engages both historians and political scientists about King's legacy, five decades later.

As South Africans mourn the death of Winnie Madikizela Mandela, struggle stalwart, Lillian Diedericks who was at the forefront of the Women's March to the Union Buildings in 1956, has described her as a fearless woman. She spoke to the SABC from her home in Port Elizabeth. She says Madikizela-Mandela survived the most difficult period of her life. Our reporter Noma Bolani take a look at the late icon's life.

Police are still processing the scene where six people died when a bus was set alight by two unknown suspects at Driekop outside Burgersfort in Limpopo. Fifty Modikwa Platinum Mine workers were on their way to work when the bus was allegedly petrol bombed. The bus belongs to the Sekgawa Bus company. Our reporter Shibu Mamokgere spoke to our presenter Stephen Kirker about the developments.

Struggle icon Mama Winnie Madikizela's brother says her children should decide where she should be buried. The Madikizela family in the Eastern Cape says it hopes Madikizela-Mandela recieves a funeral without controversy- befitting the contribution she made to South Africa . The 81- year-old anti-apartheid struggle stalwart passed away in Johannesburg yesterday. Earlier, the Abathembu Royal Kingdom said it was prepared to lay her to rest in Qunu as per their tradition. Government officials are meeting today to kickstart the process of arranging her funeral and memorial services. Meanwhile our reporter Nkululeko Nyembezi is in Bizana in the Eastern Cape this afternoon, where Madikizela-Mandela was born.

The chaotic Nelson Mandela Bay Metro special council meeting has been adjourned for the second time since it started in Port Elizabeth this morning. The meeting is expected to debate a motion of no confidence in DA Mayor Athol Trollip, Speaker Jonathan Lawack and Chief Whip Werner Senekal. But chaotic scenes between opposition parties and the speaker have been dominated the meeting.

Gauteng Police have still not made any breakthrough in the missing person case of the deputy director of NGO - "A re Ageng" - Nomawethu Kunene. Kunene disappeared from her home in Randfontein - west of Johannesburg a month ago. She reportedly blew the whistle on irregular payments made by the Gauteng Social Development Department. Our reporter Wisani Makhubele is following the story.

The legal counsel for Phillip Schutte accused of the murder of Coligny teenager Mahlomola Mosweu has asked state witness, why he did not take pictures of tyre tracks at the sunflower field where Mosweu was allegedly captured and pushed off a moving vehicle. Head of organised crime in North West Clifford Kgorane has told the court that he only went to the scene four days after the incident, and the tyre tracks were not visible, because people staying at the nearby Scotland Informal Settlement use the road near the field, to and from town. He says it was difficult to distinguish between tyre and foot tracks, hence police did not take pictures of tyre tracks. Schutte's lawyer Pieter Schutte has put it to Kgorane that he did not take those pictures, because there were no tyre tracks, to which Kgorane hastened to deny. Schutte and Phillip Doorewaard are on trial, facing seven charges, including murder, intimidation and unlawful possession of a firearm.Our reporter Itumeleng Kgajane is on the story.

The battle over the age restriction of the multi award winning film Inxeba continues in the high court in Pretoria today. The producers want the court to overturn a decision by the Film and Publications Board which has classified it as pornography. The court granted an order with the view of allowing the parties to return today for comprehensive submissions. Traditional groups have been up in arms saying the movie portrays the Xhosa culture of initiation in a bad light. The film was reclassified to 18 after an urgent interim interdict brought by the producers. They are now asking the court to review the initial decision of the Appeals Tribunal and classify the film with a 16 age restriction.

Vicky Momberg who was found guilty of four counts of crimen injuria for hurling insults at the 10111 emergency staff, as well as police officers, has been sentenced to three years in prison with one year suspended. Momberg used the "K" word 48 times during the confrontation which was recorded by cellphone. Officers had been trying to assist her after she experienced a smash and grab incident in Northriding, west of Johannesburg. Here is an extract of the incident.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially launched the Youth Employment Service initiative in Johannesburg this morning. This in partnership with private sector and seeks to address the high rate of youth unemployment in the country. Ramaphosa says after months of talks and negotiations with the CEOs' Forum, it came about that atleast three hundred thousand jobs will be created annually through this YES initiative.

Executive mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba, says he is disappointed but not surprised that the ANC is peddling baseless and heartless claims against him and a world-renowned NGO. The ANC in the City of Johannesburg has once again approached the Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane to investigate Mashaba and this time for allegedly paying over eleven million rand to an NGO to provide services to the Municipality. Mashaba, who was the organisations chairperson for 16 years, is accused of initiating the funding for the Field Band Foundation without any written proposal sent to the City by the Foundation. Mashaba's Director of Communications Luyando Mfeka has told our presenter Stephen Kirker that the NGO's engagement was above board and they welcome any probe.

The high court in Pretoria is hearing an application by Numsa and Transform RSA opposing the signing of power purchase agreements between Independent power producers (IPP) and Eskom. Numsa argues that this will be detrimental to the working class as it means Eskom will require less coal fired electricity leading to closure of coal fired power plants. It says more than 30 thousand workers will be affected. Our reporter Liela Magnus is in court.

he management of SAA are appearing before the Standing Committee on Finance today, presenting their quaterly report. The state parastal has been plagued by financial problems which have neccesitating government to bail it out several times. Our reporter Lulama Matya is in Parliament.

A meeting by the SADC Foreign Affairs Council is underway in Pretoria. According to SADC Chair and Minister of International Relations Lindiwe Sisulu, the meeting is expected to review regional co-operation in trade and health. Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa joined 44 other African leaders in signing a declaration toward a free trade agreement in Africa. The Agreement seeks to do away with tariffs on regional goods, while allowing the free movement of people on the continent. Minister Sisulu says partnership with the private sector will make this vision a reality. Our reporter Nthakoana Ngatane is in Pretoria.

The management at Venetia De Beers Diamond Mine outside Musina in Limpopo is conducting inspections this afternoon after a mine worker died over the weekend. The body of thirty one-year-old Maggie Dimakatso Semata is yet to be retrieved and operations remain suspended. Mine Spokesperson Josephine Peters says the incident happened at the processing section and was caused by a conveyer belt. Our reporter Rudzani Tshivhase is on the story.

The Gupta brothers are appearing before tax authorities in India today in an on-going probe against them. The brothers were summoned by that country's tax officials earlier this month and given until March 26th to make an appearance. Our India correspondent Neha Poonia joins us now on the line.

The state has called its third witness, constable Kgomotso Kgabi in the murder trial of two men accused of the murder of 15-year old Mahlomola Mosweu in Coligny in the North West. Mosweu died in April last year, and the state alleges he was pushed off a moving bakkie by the accused, Pieter Doorewaard and Phillip Schutte. Kgabi was on patrol on the day Mosweu died and attended to the scene. She has told the court that upon arrival, she found the injured teenager lying on the ground, with two men watching him. Our reporter Itumeleng Kgajane is in court.

Constitutional law expert Dr. Pierre De Vos says the Economic Freedom Fighters and the Democratic Alliance have a winnable case against the presidency. He was reacting to threats by both parties to force former president Jacob Zuma to pay back money used for his legal fees relating to his corruption case. Responding to a question by EFF leader, Julius Malema, in parliament last week -- president Cyril Ramaphosa revealed that the state paid more than 15 million rand towards Zuma's case. The DA and EFF insist that the 2006 agreement by the presidency to pay Zuma's legal fees was unlawful. Senior political journalist, Amos Phago has this report.

Emergency officials in Gauteng remain on high alert as floods continue to batter the province. Some of the worst affected areas are Centurion in Pretoria and Thokoza in Ekurhuleni amongst others. The City of Joburg says other areas that are high risk are Alexander, Soweto, Fourways, Kempton and Edenvale. Pictures of people walking knee deep in rain water while making their way to work have been posted on social media and news sites. There are also heavy rains in the North West province, the Free State, KwaZulu Natal and parts of Mpumalanga. Our presenter Stephen Kirker spoke to Johan Pieterse from the Tshwane Emergency Services.

This is our lunch-time market update with economist at Nedbank Busisiwe Radebe.

The Life Esidimeni Arbitration hearings may have concluded with an outcome that has been accepted by all parties, but there are still questions around those who were not part of the process. 144 mentally-ill patients died following the Gauteng Health Department's decision to terminate its long-standing contract with Life Esidmeni. Over 1 700 patients were then moved to unlicensed and ill-equipped NGOs across the province where some died of hunger, cold and dehydration. However, only around 135 victims and survivors were part of the 1.2-million rand settlement awarded by retired Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke. Wisani Makhubele compiled this report.

Parliamentarians want the board of VBS Mutual Bank to appear before the Joint Standing Committee on Finance to explain what led to it being placed under curatorship. The South African Reserve Bank placed the bank under administration earlier this month saying it was in the best interest of VBS' clients. The Reserve Bank has been making representations in Parliament this morning. The MPs including the chairperson of the committee Yunis Carrim stated their views on whether the bank should be called to Parliament.

Suspended Cape Town Mayor Patricia De Lille's disciplinary hearing is underway in the city today. She is facing charges of misconduct. The DA is alleging that she covered about maladministration. She is also alleged to have solicited a bribe from a company manufacturing fire extinguishers. De Lille has vehemently denied the allegations against her and says she will clear her name. She also wants the proceedings to be open to the media as she fears that she might be prejudiced if that does not happen. Our reporter Chris Mabuya is monitoring developments.

According to SABC's COO, Chris Moroleng, National radio station, SAfm, which has suffered significant audience losses, is set to undergo radical reformatting, which will include major changes in the line-up and on-air personnel. This as the Public Broadcaster embarks on a massive restructuring project at a programming level in an effort to increase audiences and revenue. Maroleng was briefing the Communications Committeee in Parliament.

A Limpopo family is struggling to bury a family member due to a shortage of funds at the VBS Mutual Bank. The family is unable to access its money as the bank is under curatorship. Our reporter Michael Makungo has the story.

Our lunch time market update with Arabile Gumede.

Arguments around the Basic Education Department's infrastructure law are being heard in the Bisho High Court in the Eastern Cape this afternoon. Civil organisation Equal Education says the law as it stands now, allows the department to get away with some of its responsibilities. It says they want those loopholes to be closed. Here is what the counsel for the Department of Basic Education has been arguing.

A group of people earlier chanted slogans outside the Rustenburg Magistrate Court, as nine people including senior police officers appeared in court for the multiple murders at Lonmin operations in Marikana. The courtroom is packed to capacity and security is also tightened. The nine are facing charges of murder, defeating the ends of justice and contravention of the IPID ACT. The murders were committed on the 13th of August in 2012, while the case of defeating the ends of justice relates to failure by police to report that one of the arrested miners on the 16th of August died in their vehicle. Our reporter Itumeleng Kgajane is in court.

Stephen Kirker speaks to the SABC's Francis Herd about the lunch time market update as well as the impact of the court's decision dismissing an application by Gupta-owned companies that sought to compel the Bank of Baroda to stay in SA.

Gauteng MEC for Education Panyaza Lesufi says there should be no confusion about who is in charge in the classroom. He was speaking during his visit to the Three Rivers Secondary School, in Vereeniging earlier today, where he went to assess the situation after a learner hit a teacher with an exercise book. Video footage of the incident has been circulating on social media. Lesufi says learners must know their place.

VBS clients at the embattled bank's Thohoyandou branch in Limpopo are streaming in to enquire about their accounts and investments. The Reserve Bak yesterday announced that VBS was being placed under curatorship owing to a liquidity risk. Some clients are not worried about the bank's future as they believe that there are enough financial controls in the country.Our reporter Katlego Nyoni is following the story.

An analyst says the dismissal of a court application by the 19 Gupta-owned companies seeking to force the Bank of Baroda to continue doing business in South Africa, signals another step in the collapse of the empire. The bank was the only one providing a service to the companies, after the country's big four banks terminated their business relationship with them. The Indian state-owned bank will stop its local operations at the end of this month. Judge Moses Mavundla of the High Court in Pretoria delivered the judgment this morning.

The National Consumer Commission has told Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry, that it is left with two weeks to conclude the Ford Kuga investigations. Commissioner Ebrahim Mohamed says they have been told of allegations that the burning Ford Kuga's were dumped in South Africa from another market overseas. Mohamed says the report will be finalised when they get the rest of the requested information from Ford South Africa.

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga have agreed to unite the east African country following months of a political stalemate that has threatened to tear the country apart. The two met in the capital, Nairobi. Kenyatta says it's time for a new beginning and for healing the country. Odinga on the other hand says the two have agreed to set in motion a national reconciliation and healing process. This is the first official meeting between the two parties since the October repeat polls

The court battle between the lawyers of Export Development Canada and the legal representatives of the Gupta family continues in the High Court in Johannesburg this afternoon. The EDC has brought an urgent application on a matter relating to an aircraft. The Guptas paid a 10 million dollar deposit on the Bombadier and signed surety on a loan to and Irish Finance house for the balance. The matter was set down for one day and lawyers for the Guptas sought to have it either delayed or struck off the roll, something that Alfred Cockerell , SC, for EDC, argued was just playing for time.

The High Court in Bloemfontein has ruled that the National Prosecuting Authority can only preserve R40 million of the R220 million it sought to freeze. This relates to the controversial Estina Dairy Farm project which was meant to benefit emerging black farmers. The Assets Forfeiture Unit decsended on the farm last month. The NPA also sought to freeze R10 million from the personal account of Atul Gupta. NPA spokesperson in the Free State Phaladi Shuping, says the court's decision does not mean that their case was weak.

Bloomberg’s Arabile Gumede explains why MTN, which has posted some good results, is considering pulling out of some markets and how Standard Bank is predicting a bumper year. Standard’s optimism is based on its perceptions of the economy’s prospects under President Ramaphosa, a sentiment that is echoed by many other business leaders. One of those is Michael Bloomberg, who met with his “old friend” Ramaphosa this week. Apart from meeting with business leaders Bloomberg is attending the world conference on tobacco in Cape Town and has pledged a billion Dollars to the fight against tobacco.

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) says all beneficiaries of social grants will be paid come April 1st. The announcement was made during a media briefing in Pretoria this morning and comes after the agency made an urgent application in the Constitutional Court earlier this week, seeking an extention of its controversial contract with CashMaster Pay Services (CPS). The court declared the contract invalid in 2014 and ordered SASSA to come up with a new plan to distribute grants within eighteen months of the judgement. SASSA's Acting CEO Ruth Bhengu says they will be able to pay beneficiaries even if the court does not allow them to work with CPS for another six months.

The Hawks in the North West province have raided the office of the Director General in the office of the Premier Supra Mahumapelo and confiscated several documents. The raid comes after alleged irregularities involving a contract with an ICT company came to light. Hawks spokesperson Tlangelani Rikhotso has confirmed that they are investigating cases of fraud and corruption within several provincial departments. North West Government Spokesperson Brian Sentswangbung spoke to Stephen Kirker.

Our presenter Stephen Kirker speaks to economist from Nedbank Busisiwe Radebe about the lunch time market update.

Members of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Justice have lambasted Public Protector Busi Mkhwebane for not increasing the scope of her Estina Dairy Farm investigation into alleged involvment by political officials. Mkhwebane gave reason that she does not have the power to investigate criminal matters and her office was limited by resources and could not afford a broader investigation. Mkhwebane says the first complaint about the corruption at the farm came in 2013 from the Democratic Alliance

pta-owned properties in India have been raided by the income tax department in that country this morning at the Gupta hometown of Saharanpur. We understand that several documents from the properties were siezed. Our Indian correspondent Neha Poonia, spoke to Stephen Kirker.

Gauteng Health and Education have been allocated the lion's share of the province's government budget. Gauteng Finance MEC, Barbara Creecy, presented her budget for the next financial year in the provincial Legislature this morning. The MEC says the budget sets out how the provincial government will fund its commitment to equity and social justice, as well as how procurement spending will be used to improve public facilities and create jobs

The office of the North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo says forensic investigations into the affairs of the provincial Health Department have already started. The department is embroiled in a controversial deal regarding a 30-million rand pre-payment to a Gupta linked private company MEDIOSA. The premier and Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi have been involved in a public spat over this issue. Head of the provincial Health Department Thabo Lekalakala, has been put on leave until the investigation is concluded. Meanwhile our reporter Sisi Segalo reports about the non-payment of workers and what the community says about the clinic.

Police are still looking for those who have been torching cars in what is said to be a feud between metre taxi and Taxify drivers in Pretoria. 21-year old Siyabonga Ngcobo's body was found inside the boot of a burnt vehicle. He was a Taxify driver. On Friday two metre taxis were also torched in the Pretoria CBD in what is suspected to be a revenge attack. Sunnyside police spokesperson Captain Daniel Mavimbela has told our presenter Stephen Kirker that the situation is calm but tense in the area.