The government’s plan to remove all state security personnel aged between 50 and 58 could deal a severe blow to the country’s intelligence capabilities, according to experts. This warning came after details emerged of a meeting between Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, the minister in charge of the State Security Agency (SSA), and 200 senior SSA employees. Lerato Mbele was in conversation with Dr Nel Marais, intelligence analyst and Dianne Kohler, member of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence.

The government’s plan to remove all state security personnel aged between 50 and 58 could deal a severe blow to the country’s intelligence capabilities, according to experts. This warning came after details emerged of a meeting between Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, the minister in charge of the State Security Agency (SSA), and 200 senior SSA employees. Lerato Mbele was in conversation with Dr Nel Marais, intelligence analyst and Dianne Kohler, member of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence.

POWER Talk is a mid-morning talk show programme, hosted by Lerato Mbele. The show delves deeper into the news of the day along with larger societal themes, inviting listeners to help unpack issues on the day’s current affairs agenda and topics close to their hearts. Mbele also interviews the biggest newsmakers and experts in South Africa, helping listeners makes sense of their world.

POWER Talk is a mid-morning talk show programme, hosted by Lerato Mbele. The show delves deeper into the news of the day along with larger societal themes, inviting listeners to help unpack issues on the day’s current affairs agenda and topics close to their hearts. Mbele also interviews the biggest newsmakers and experts in South Africa, helping listeners makes sense of their world.

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State Security Agency Staff Cuts Threaten National Intelligence Capabilities

In South Africa, there are over 1.3 million women abused by the opposite gender.  A recent study on gender-based violence (GBV) revealed shocking statistics. Nearly 40% of women are victims of physical or sexual abuse in SA. The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) released the findings of their first national study on gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa on 18 November 2024. Deputy President Paul Mashatile and Build One SA leader, Mmusi Maimane have proposed plans to help fight the GBV crisis in SA. Lerato Mbele spoke to Dr. Hazel Gooding, Deputy Representative, South Africa Multi-Country Office, United Nations Women and Dr Mpumi Zungu, Research Director in the Public Health, Societies and Belonging (PHSB) research division of the Human Sciences Research Council. 

In South Africa, there are over 1.3 million women abused by the opposite gender.  A recent study on gender-based violence (GBV) revealed shocking statistics. Nearly 40% of women are victims of physical or sexual abuse in SA. The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) released the findings of their first national study on gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa on 18 November 2024. Deputy President Paul Mashatile and Build One SA leader, Mmusi Maimane have proposed plans to help fight the GBV crisis in SA. Lerato Mbele spoke to Dr. Hazel Gooding, Deputy Representative, South Africa Multi-Country Office, United Nations Women and Dr Mpumi Zungu, Research Director in the Public Health, Societies and Belonging (PHSB) research division of the Human Sciences Research Council.

The Masterclass - The Crux of Gender-Based Violence

The amount of waste going to landfills or polluting the environment is hugely underestimated due to a lack of reliable data, putting South Africa “at risk of turning into a wasteland”. Johannesburg generates about 1.6 million tons of waste annually, a majority of which goes to landfill. Three out of four landfill sites are approaching their full capacity, with less than 10 years disposal time left. To avoid adding more landfill sites, it is suggested that Johannesburg must move away from a waste-to-landfill model. Lerato Mbele was joined by Malcolm Mogotsi, Department of forestry, fisheries and the environment Acting Chief Director: Integrated Waste Management and Stacey Jansen, Director at Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa.

The amount of waste going to landfills or polluting the environment is hugely underestimated due to a lack of reliable data, putting South Africa “at risk of turning into a wasteland”. Johannesburg generates about 1.6 million tons of waste annually, a majority of which goes to landfill. Three out of four landfill sites are approaching their full capacity, with less than 10 years disposal time left. To avoid adding more landfill sites, it is suggested that Johannesburg must move away from a waste-to-landfill model. Lerato Mbele was joined by Malcolm Mogotsi, Department of forestry, fisheries and the environment Acting Chief Director: Integrated Waste Management and Stacey Jansen, Director at Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa.

Waste Is Piling Up All Over South Africa 

Joburg Mayor Dada Morero’s office had its electricity and water cut off when an ANC property ally and city landlord failed to pay his utility bill. Without council approval, the mayor moved to a private building in Braamfontein owned by ANC-linked property mogul Lonwabo Sambudla. Sambudla, who also owns two other properties leased by the city, failed to pay his bills, accumulating R22.1 million in debt. The City is deep in the red and is on an enhanced debt collection drive to lower a deficit of R4-billion a month, as declared by Morero last year. Finances have gotten worse since. Lerato Mbele spoke to Prof. Mike Muller, School of Governance, Wits University and Former DG Water.

Joburg Mayor Dada Morero’s office had its electricity and water cut off when an ANC property ally and city landlord failed to pay his utility bill. Without council approval, the mayor moved to a private building in Braamfontein owned by ANC-linked property mogul Lonwabo Sambudla. Sambudla, who also owns two other properties leased by the city, failed to pay his bills, accumulating R22.1 million in debt. The City is deep in the red and is on an enhanced debt collection drive to lower a deficit of R4-billion a month, as declared by Morero last year. Finances have gotten worse since. Lerato Mbele spoke to Prof. Mike Muller, School of Governance, Wits University and Former DG Water.

State Security Agency Staff Cuts Threaten National Intelligence Capabilities

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