The African National Congress in Gauteng has thrown its weight in behind Al Jama-ah's Kabelo Gwamanda as its prefered candidate for the position of Johannesburg Mayor. Gwamanda will face off against the Democratic Alliance's Mpho Phalatse and ActionSA's Funzi Ngubeni. Council members are expected to finally elect a moyor after Al Jama-ah's Thapelo Amad resigned last month, in a bed to avoid a motion of no-confidence against him. On Tuesday, plans to elect a Mayor collapsed after different political parties requested several caucus breaks. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Horisani Sithole.

The High Court in Pretoria has postponed to Monday the case against five men accused of murdering soccer star, Senzo Meyiwa. Proceedings adjourned after Sipho Ramosepele, the lawyer representing accused number 1 and 2 fell ill in court. State Witness, Mthokozisi Thwala earlier told the court that the first person to react when the intruders came into the house where Meyiwa was gunned down, was Longwe Twala.  Mthokozisi Thwala is the second witness who was present at the home of Kelly Khumalo's mother in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni, when Meyiwa was shot and killed in 2014. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Pearl Magubane

Former ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule has appeared before the Bloemfontein High Court on the 255 million rands fraud and corruption Asbestos case. The case against Magashule and co-accused has been postponed to the 15th of April 2024.  Magashule, business man Edwin Sodi and former human settlements head Thabani Zulu maintain that their right to a fair trial has been infringed. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Abongile Dumako.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions says while it welcomes National Treasury's new Eskom debt relief measures for 165 municipalities, more measures need to be put in place to ensure that residents pay for electricity. The programme will result in the bail out of over half of the country's municipalities if the commit to dealing with residents who refuse to pay for services like electricity and installing smart meters, among other conditions. Collectively, the country's 257 municipalities owe Eskom over R56-billion. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Cosatu parliamentary co-cordinator, Matthew Parks.

Senzo Meyiwa murder trial has resumed at the High court in Pretoria. One of the witnesses in the Senzo Meyiwa murder case is expected to be back in court.   Mthokozisi Thwala is the second state witness in the trial for the murder of the soccer star. He was inside the house when Meyiwa was shot and killed at the home of singer Kelly Khumalo in Vosloorus, south-east of Johannesburg, in October 2014. Five men are accused of involvement in Meyiwa's murder.  Sakina Kamwendo spoke SABC reporter, Pearl Magubane 

The state continues leading new evidence from a new witness in the Sindiso Magaqa murder trial in the High Court in Pietermaritzburg. The state has lined up over 50 witnesses. The first key witness, Jabulile Msiya - earlier this week told the court that after the attack on Magaqa she feared for her life. Msiya maintained Magaqa's attack was related to the uMzimkhulu Memorial Hall renovations, which they suspected involved fraud and corruption. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Nonjabulo Makamu.

The gunshot detection technology seems to be working well for the city of Cape Town since the system went live 5 months ago. The system is helping law enforcement to arrest criminals discharging guns in a public space. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to JP Smith , the City of Cape Town's mayoral committee member for safety and security 

The Bloemfontein Magistrates Court has postponed to May 11 and 12, the bail application of the celebrity doctor, Dr Nandipha Magudumana and 5 others accused of assisting convicted murderer, Thabo Bester when he escaped from prison last May. Earlier, the court adjourned to allow for consultations

Delivery of food to some KwaZulu-Natal schools as part of the National School Nutrition Programme, has commenced. This after a failure to deliver food to some of the schools in the programme since the start of the second term .  About 5-thousand schools have been affected, leaving many learners starving at schools. Pacina Retail, a company contracted to supply food in schools in the whole province, has been accused of not delivering. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Fanele Mhlongo

Voting for the new City of Johannesburg mayor may not materialise today as parties continue to struggle to reach agreement. Councillors are expected to elect a mayor  after former executive mayor of the City, Thapelo Ahmad resigned last week. Ahmad  was facing a no confidence motion. The coalition partners that voted Amad in power, have vowed to protect the speaker of council and the chief whip. They say the coalition remains intact and strong in spite of the resignation and unhappiness expressed by Patriotic Alliance President Gayton Mackenzie. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Horisani Sithole 

The Department of Correctional Services says it has decided to terminate its contract with the Bloemfontein Correctional Center. The centre is contracted to operate the controversial Mangaung Correctional Centre, from which convicted rapist and murderer, rapist Thabo Bester escape last May. Bester was serving a life sentence when he staged his own suicide and walked out of the facility, allegedly assisted by employees from the facility. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Department of Correctional Services Spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo.

 ANC President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has emphasized a number of issues being faced by society - including poverty, unemployment and inequality. COSATU's national May Day celebration is underway at the Bethlehem Showgrounds in the Free State. Ramaphosa has called for unity among members of the tripartite alliance...

 It has been four years since the families of three miners trapped underground  Lily Mine, near Barberton in Mpumalanga, set up a camping site on the periphery of the mine. The three workers Pretty Nkambule, Yvonne Mnisi and Solomon Nyerenda were working in a container used as lamp room, when it fell down a sinkhole at the mine in 2016. The three are yet to be retrieved and as the country will be celebrates the May day, the families of the three are once again pleading with government to find their loved ones. SABC News reporter, Motsebi wa Monareng has more.

Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi says government will soon implement legislations that deal employers who keep breaking the law by hiring foreigners. Nxesi was speaking to our colleagues Aldrin Sampear and Naledi Moleo amid threats of protests by truck driver protest who are calling for government to address unfavourable recruitment processes in the sector. 

Accused number 2 in the Senzo Meyiwa murder case has been denied bail by the high Court in Pretoria. Bongani Ntanzi is one of five men accused of killing the soccer star and Bafana Bafana captain in 2014. Ntanzi applied for bail last year. While handing down judgement, Deputy Judge President, Aubrey Ledwaba said that Ntanzi has failed to convince the court that it was in the interest of justice that he be granted bail. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Horisani Sithole.

The families of the two boys who were found murdered and mutilated in Soweto has called on the deceased to fight for justice from the grave.  This emerged during he boys funeral service underway at the Jabavu stadium in Soweto. Six-year-old Tshiamo Rabanyane and 5-year-old Nqobizitha Zulu went missing last Wednesday and their mutilated bodies were discovered the next day. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Pearl Magubane.

 President Cyril Ramaphosa has honored South Africans and eminent foreign nationals who have done exceptionally well in supporting democracy, nation-building and inspiring the country. Ramaphosa says those honoured have contributed to the freedoms we enjoy today. He bestowed the order of Mendi for bravery, the order of Ikamanga, order of the Baobab, the order of Luthuli , the order of Mapungubwe and the order of the companions of O.R. Tambo to deserving recipients at the National Orders conferment at the Union buildings in Pretoria.

As South Africa marks the 29th anniversary of the first democratic elections, shack dwellers movement Abahlali baseMjondolo has vowed to continue with its "Unfreedom Day" marches in parts of the country. The movement's leadership has accused the ruling African National Congress of lying to and insulting the intelligence and humanity impoverished communities by claiming that everyone who lives in the country is free. The "Unfreedom Day" marches began in Durban on Wednesday and are expected to spread to other parts of the country by Saturday. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Abahlali baseMjondolo president, Sbusiso Zikode

 Harry Belafonte's passing on the eve of Freedom Day serves as a poignant reminder of his contribution to the international cultural boycott of South Africa during the apartheid years. That was among the key reflections from President Cyril Ramaphosa at the news of the nonagenarian passing from congestive heart failure at his Manhattan home in New York. And as Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports, beyond his music and acting career, he spent his life fighting injustice while funding initiatives towards civil rights in the United States and the fight against Apartheid among others. 

The lawyers representating shareholders at platinum group metals and chrome producer, Eastern Platinum Limited have written to the company's CEO, board of directors and its parent company, Barplats Mines, demanding the immediate halting of transactions for chrome ore to be sold at a reduced price to buyers. The lawyers say the transanctions are being carried out without the authorisation of the Board of Eastern Platinum. The shareholders say the unauthorised transactions have already resulted on 100-thousand tons of chrome concentrates being sold at a price of R1 914,37 ($105.11)  per dry metric ton when the market related price is in fact approximately R3 880,11 ($213.00) per dry metric ton. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the lawyer representing the shareholders at Eastern Platinum Limited, Ulrich Roux.

 Parliament's Standing Committee of Public Accounts has resolved to summons former Eskom Group Chief Executive Andre De Ruyter  to appear before it to give further information. This follows De Ruyter's refusal to disclose the name of the minister who allegedly told him to let some people eat a little. De Ruyter stated unwillingness to jeopardise ongoing investigations and fear for his own security as some of the reasons for this. He was appearing before parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts which wanted him to elaborate on his comments in a TV interview about criminal networks working at Eskom. Sakina Spoke to SABC reporter, Joseph Mosia 

Former Eskom Chief Executive Officer, André de Ruyter has continue to face pressure from members of Parliament's Standing Committee of Public Accounts, as he refused to reveal the name of the senior politician he has accused of engaging in criminality at the power utility. A number of MPs have asked de Ruyter over and over again why is did not make statements to authorities after he claimed to have alerted them about criminality at Eskom. During an interview with journalist, Annika Larson earlier this year, de Ruyter made allegations of maladministration, corruption and the sabotage of infrastructure allegedly involving a senior politician. Chairperson of the committee, Mkhuleko Hlengwa pressed him to tell Parliament the name of the politician.

 President Cyril Ramaphosa is currently hosting his Finnish counterpart, Sauli Väinämö Niinistö at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Trade and investment, renewable energy and information technology are expected to dominate their talks between the two countries.The visit was initially planned for 2020, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The two countries enjoy strong bilateral relations after Finland supported liberation movements in southern Africa. Let us take a listen to President,  Sauli Väinämö Niinistö

The South African Social Security Agency is assuring social grant beneficiaries to not to panic as they will be paid. Most of their South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)/Postbank gold cards are expiring at the end of April and delays at post offices appear to be causing anxiety among recipients. Last month SASSA advised beneficiaries whose cards have expired or are expiring soon, to visit their closest post office to collect a new card. However, not all of the post offices are able to offer card exchange services. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) spokesperson, Paseka Letsatsi

Nelson Mandela Bay has been hit by lockouts and blackouts since Friday after workers vowed to shut down the city to protest against the suspension of their colleagues. Seven officials in Nelson Mandela Bay's electricity department were suspended in the metro's electricity department for what has been described as the biggest corruption scheme in the history of the administration. The Hawks and Special Investigation Unit  are investigating the matter. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Mayoral committee member for electricity and infrastructure, Lance Grootboom

The International Relations Department says its plans are in place to evacuate South Africans who are stuck in Sudan.  South Africa is among the many countries that are racing against time to evacuate their citizens from Sudan. It has put the number of verified South Africans stuck in the country at 77. The sudden eruption of violence between the military and the well-armed Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group earlier this month has triggered a humanitarian crisis. Four-hundred-and-20 people have been killed and millions others left without access to basic services and trapped in their homes. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to founder and chair of the Gift of the Givers Foundation Imtiaz Sooliman.

The family of a 32-year-old man whose body was burned in the prison cell of rapist and murderer, Thabo Bester is expected to identify his remains today. Katlego Bereng was used as a decoy when Bester escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein, in a staged suicide in May last year:  Police confirmed his identity after DNA tests revealed a direct match with his mother Monica Matsie from Bloemfontein. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Makgala Masiteng.

A group of asylum seekers, mainly comprising women and school-going children, who sought refuge at the United Nations Head Offices in Brooklyn almost five years ago, are now pleading with the South African authorities to facilitate their deportation to their respective countries of origin. The City of Tshwane and Home Affairs are expected to relocate the asylum seekers camped in the City in makeshift shelters to Lindela repatriation center. This follow a High Court judgment earlier this month. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Attorney at Lawyers for Human Rights, Deborah Raduba. 

It still remains unclear how German Authorities will proceed in getting former Steinhoff CEO, Markus Jooste to trial following his no-show at a German court yesterday. Jooste was scheduled to appear before a German court for contravening foreign exchange regulations that saw investors losing more than 200-Billion rands. A warrant of arrest was issued against him after his lawyers indicated Jooste could not travel to Germany as his passport was withheld by South African authorities.Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Fin24 journalist, Jan Cronje.

The Department of Basic Education has been briefing the oversight committee on Basic Education in parliament on Learner Drop-Outs in the System. Earlier this year , while addressing the 8th annual Basic Education Sector Lekgotla, President Cyril Ramaphosa raised concerns over the high number of pupils who drop out of school and urged the sector to redouble efforts to address the crisis. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC correspondent in Parliament, Joseph Mosia

Home Affairs Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi has shed more light on the costs involved in deporting back to the country convicted rapist and murder Thabo Bester together with her alleged accomplice, Dr Nandipha Magudumana. Motsoaledi says a total of 14 people were involved in ensuring the safe return of the pair totalling a cost of one-point-four million rand in hiring a charter flight. Motsoaledi has been briefing Parliament's Home Affairs Portfolio Committee on the Bester scandal.  Minister Motsoaledi also highlights the process of extradition which was followed in returning the fugitives.

Long-haul bus company Intercape is taking legal action Police Minister Bheki Cele for failing to implement a safety plan to prevent its buses from being attacked. The bus company says since it opened its first case on March 4, 2020, not  a suspect arrested has been or prosecuted. It says a further 164 more criminal cases were opened still no response. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Intercape CEO, Johann Ferreira.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially appointed the new SABC Board. In a statement released by the Presidency this morning, the president approved 12 names including former SABC head of News, Phathiswa Magopeni and former SABC journalist, Mpho Tsedu. Former National Youth Development Agency CEO, Khathutshelo Ramukumba has been appointed as Chairperson of the board. This past weekend marked exactly six months since the public broadcaster was without a sitting board with delays resulting from President Ramaphosa's questioning the inclusion of three candidate names recommended by parliament. Sakina Kamwendo spoke Director at Media Monitoring Africa, William Bird 

Tshwane Executive Mayor, Cilliers Brink has painted a bleak picture of the metro's financial state. This comes after the work that has been done to put together the adjustment budget and the draft budget for the upcoming 2023/24 financial year. Brink briefed the media earlier today where he noted that the city's expenses exceed its income. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Mayor of Tshwane Cilliers Brink...

The fraud and corruption trial of former president Jacob Zuma and French arms company, Thales has been adjourned to August 15th by the Pietermaritzburg High Court. The trial has again been postponed for arguments related to Zuma's application to have lead prosecutor Billy Downer removed from the matter. Addressing the court, State prosecutor Advocate Billy Downer told the court that the State had only received a full application with regards to his removal on Sunday and that the State was not yet ready to respond... Here is what Judge Nkosinathi Chili had to say in court today.

The state has dropped charges of murder and arson against 65-year-old Zolile Sekeleni who is a father of Dr Nandipha Magudumana. The state has indicated that after investigations there is no evidence linking Sekeleni to those charges.  He is expected to be back in court on the 16th of May. His 3 co-accused, including his daughter Dr Nandipha Magudumana,  IT expert Teboho Lipholo and dismissed G4S employee Senohe Matsoara will be back in court on May 3 and 4 for bail application. Take a listen to what transpired in court today.

Convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester's girlfriend Dr Nandipha Magudumana will remain in custody while her father Zolile Sekeleni has been released on ten- thousand rand bail. The state says it will object  bail for Magudumana and her two co-accused former G4s employee Senohe Matsoara  and Teboho Lipholo. The case has been postponed to third and forth of May for bail application. In today's court appearance the prosecution requested that Magudumana remove her face mask and reveal her face to allow her to be properly identified by the court which she did. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Aphumelele Mdlalane.

Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi says convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester did not register any identification with the department. Bester and his girlfriend, Dr Nandipha Magudumana were arrested in Tanzania last week and found with multiple passports. Both Bester and Magudumana have since appeared in court on different dates. Addressing the media in Pretoria, Dr Motsoaledi says intensive investigations are underway to determine how the pair managed to get the passports. 

The case against convicted murderer and rapist, Thabo Bester has been postponed to May 16. He has been remanded in custody. He has abandoned bail but has indicated that he reserves his right to apply for it at an appropriate time. Bester's legal team addressed members of the media

The case against convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester has been postponed to the 16th of May in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court. He is facing a string of charges including escaping from lawful custody, defeating the ends of justice, violation of a dead body and fraud. Bester, together with his girlfriend Dr Nandipha Magudumana returned to South Africa yesterday morning, after their arrest in Arusha, Tanzania, last Friday. Bester escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre in the Free State, in May last year.

The High Court in Pretoria is currently hearing arguments challenging the Home Affairs Department's decision to terminate the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit. The Helen Suzman Foundation,  Zimbabwean Immigration Federation, African Amity and 29 others are challenging the decision in court and seek  to have the termination of the permits declared unlawful.  Over 178,000 permit holders, currently lawful residents in South Africa face an uncertain future.  Steven Budlender SC, for the Heleln Suzman Foundation earlier argued that Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi decided the fate of the ZEP  programme without prior notice to or consultaion with ZEP holders and the public 

The Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court has postponed to the 17th of April 2023, a case against  39-year-old former security company G4S employee and the 65-year-old father of Dr Nandipha Magudumana. Cornelius SekelenI and  Senohe Matsoara are charged with aiding and abetting a convicted prisoner to escape from lawful custody.

 Limpho Hani, the widow of late SACP general-secretary, Chris Hani has called on the ANC-led government to start paying attention to South Africans who are living in abject poverty, as the cost of living escalates. She was speaking at the 30th anniversary commemoration of her husband's death at Thomas Memorial Park in Ekurhuleni. Hani was killed by a Polish immigrant Janus Walusz on this day in 1993. Walusz failed to get parole on four occasions. However, the Constitutional Court later ordered that he be released on parole in December last year. Hani's widow says it is wrong to promise people basic services that cannot be delivered.

 Here is the most bizarre true story. He felt a weird cool sensation, up his hip area thinking it's a bottle that might have not closed properly and water might have been dripping down his shirt. As he turned to the left and looked down he saw a cobra....yes that's correct, a COBRA moving its head backwards underneath the seat. That was Mbombela pilot Rudolph Erasmus' encounter with an extra passenger on his plane at 11,000ft mid-air, that turned out to be a Cape cobra. Pilot Rudolph Erasmus tells Sakina Kamwendo the bizarre and scary tale.

Justice Minister, Ronald Lamola says his department intends to appeal the United Arab Emirates decision to deny South Africa's extradition request for Rajesh and Atul Gupta. The brothers were understood to have been in custody in a Dubai prison following last year's high-profile arrest. However, reports have emerged that the brothers were spotted in Switzerland late last month. Gupta family members and associates are accused of fraudulent activities and state capture corruption. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to political analyst, Sandile Swana.

Justice Minister, Ronald Lamola says he became aware of the failed extradition of the Gupta brothers from the United Arab Emirates only late last night. This despite Rajesh and Atul Gupta possibly being released from custody in the UAE from as early as the 13th of February earlier in the year. The brothers were understood to have been in custody in a Dubai prison following last year's high-profile arrest. However, reports have emerged that the brothers were spotted in Switzerland late last month. Minister Lamola says these latest developments in relation to the Gupta brothers should not be understood as a failure by the state.

Minister in the Presidency responsible for Electricity, Kgosientso Ramokgopa, says there are many choices and difficult decisions that are going to be made going forward for the future  to resolve load shedding.   He has been updating the media and South Africans on the power station visits conducted last month. Ramokgopa has highlighted the poor quality of coal at Eskom and a lack of morale among its employees as some of the problems that need to be addressed urgently. Here is short clip of his briefing.

Frankfort in the Free State has been experiencing less frequent load shedding thanks to an independent power producer in the area, Rural Maintenance. The company has been managing power distribution in the town for over a decade and was contracted by the Mafude Local Municipality. Through purchasing electricity from four local solar farms at a more affordable rate than Eskom, Rural Maintenance distributes power across the Mafube Municipality. Eskom has now threatened to block the company from reducing load-shedding schedules. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to CEO of Rural Maintenance, Chris Bosch.

Members of the subCommittee on Communication and Digital Technologies have welcomed the legal advice given by parliament's legal services in reference to the appointment of the SABC board. This after President Cyril Ramaphosa's letter to the National Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, seeking clarity on the three additional names to the list of SABC board candidates was declared unlawful. That's according to the independent legal opinion that Parliament has sought on behalf of the  Communications Committee. Parliament's legal adviser Andile Tetyane explained the committee's stance. Meantime...Members of the sub-Committee on Communication and Digital Technologies welcomed the legal advice given to them on the matter.

The number of suspected cash-in-transit robbers who have died following a shoot-out with police in Sebokeng in the Vaal this morning, has risen to nine. One suspect has succumbed to gunshot wounds in hospital while eight others died at the crime scene. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe who joined the team on the line from Sebokeng, where the police minister and SAPS leadership visited the scene.