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At least five initiates have died in North West during this initiation season.
The North West government has expressed profound sadness and extended its heartfelt condolences to the families of two young initiates who tragically lost their lives during the 2026 winter initiation season. One initiate died at a registered initiation school in Bodibe Village, while the other died at an illegal initiation school in Khuma. Authorities have since closed the illegal school and rescued 41 initiates, who were taken for medical treatment. Nationally, at least 43 initiates have died, while authorities have opened 116 criminal cases and shut down dozens of illegal initiation schools this year. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Northwest Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs spokesperson Thebeetsile Keameditse
Gauteng Government welcomes Public Protector Food safety report.
The Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka has raised concerns over the low compliance of spaza shops with licensing and food safety regulations across Gauteng. Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka says municipalities are struggling to enforce health and business laws because of a severe shortage of Environmental Health Practitioners. The Public Protector office, today released the findings of an investigation into the enforcement of food safety and hygiene regulations in Gauteng's informal food sector. The probe follows a series of incidents across the country in 2024, when children died after allegedly consuming contaminated food bought from spaza shops. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Gauteng Government spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga
Limpopo arrests 3,000 undocumented foreigners monthly - Major General Scheepers
More than 300 undocumented migrants have now been arrested in Limpopo. This as officials from the police, Home Affairs and the Hawks conduct a multidisciplinary operation to deal with illegal immigration. Police have set up roadblocks across the province including the Capricorn District where some commuters have abandoned their vehicles. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the province's Acting police commissioner, Major General Jan Scheepers,
Analyst: Immigration tensions could risk Namibia-South Africa decades-long cooperation.
South Africa and Namibia are set to strengthen ties as leaders meet in the 4th Session of the South Africa-Namibia Binational Commission. Ministers from both countries have reaffirmed their commitment to deepen co-operation. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says the relationship between South Africa and Namibia is a special one. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Professor Henning Melber, Analyst and Senior Advisor at the Nordic Africa Institute in Sweden.
Weekly Coalface feature with Martin Creamer.
This Friday, SAfm’s radio anchor Sakina Kamwendo once again spoke to Martin Creamer, publishing editor of Engineering News & Mining Weekly, delving deeper into the world of mining and engineering.
PanSALB condemns profiling people through language accents
The Pan South African Language Board, PanSALB has voiced strong concern over reports of people facing discrimination based on the languages they speak during ongoing anti-immigration protests. PanSALB stresses that while illegal immigration needs addressing, no one should be targeted or suspected simply because of their accent or mother tongue. CEO Dr. Keaobaka Seshoka pointed out that in Africa, language often crosses borders and cannot reliably indicate nationality. She joins us on the line to elaborate further on her sentiments Elvis Presslin Spoke to The Pan South African Language Board, PanSALB CEO Dr. Keaobaka Seshoka
SASSA condemns illegal sale of queue spots at its offices
SASSA in Gauteng says 143 contract workers started this week to help with grant reviews and eLife Certification at local offices. The agency says extra staff, queue walkers and a fourth monthly payment day aim to reduce waiting times. Elvis Presslin spoke to SASSA National Spokesperson and Head Of Communications, Dr. Paseka Letsatsi...
ActionSA alleges SAPS ignored key Phala Phala findings
ActionSA says it will today reveal damning internal police records that point to an alleged deliberate cover-up by SAPS in the Phala Phala matter. The party claims the documents show efforts to shield members of the Presidential Protection Unit over unlawful conduct. National Chairperson Michael Beaumont and MP Lerato Ngobeni will lead the press conference at Radisson Red in Rosebank this morning. Elvis Presslin spoke to the party's National Chairperson Michael Beaumont
COSATU opposes African Bank retrenchment plans
African Bank has started formal consultations with union Sasbo over a restructuring that could cut 1,200 jobs and close 90 branches. The bank says costs are outpacing risk-adjusted revenue, and it has already looked at savings in IT, procurement and property. Interim CEO Zweli Manyathi says no final decisions have been made and the bank will work with the union through the Section 189A process. Elvis Presslin spoke to COSATU National Spokesperson, Zanele Sabela...
Two former EMPD officers granted R5,000 bail each.
Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police officer Adrian MacKenzie and former EMPD officer Kersha-Leigh Stols have each been granted R5,000 bail by the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court. The pair face charges linked to the alleged unlawful raid on a Johannesburg property where precious stones worth nearly R15 million were seized. Charges against private security boss Etienne van der Walt have been withdrawn. Two other suspects remain at large, while a sixth suspect has since died. Sakina Kamwendo to SABC reporter Horisane sithole
City Power says 90% electricity restored to most affected Johannesburg customers.
City Power says is responding to a major network failure at the Orlando Switching Station, leaving thousands of customers across southern and western Johannesburg without electricity. The power utility says the outage was triggered by a burnt pole-mounted transformer at Eikenhof, followed by a secondary fault on a breaker supplying the switching station. Areas served by the Reuven, Lenasia and Hursthill service centres are affected. City Power says restoration teams are assessing the damage, with no estimated restoration time available yet. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to City power spokesperson Isaac Mangena
Officials may have failed to protect state-owned buildings, says Deputy Minister
The Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala is today leading a departmental operation to reclaim illegally occupied and hijacked state-owned properties in Mogale City, Gauteng. This is part of the Department's Operation Bring Back (OBB) campaign and Deputy Minister Zikalala is conducting site visits to several illegally occupied and hijacked state properties.Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala.
CASAC: Court to balance Pres Ramaphosa's irreparable-harm claims against Parliament's constitutional duties.
President Cyril Ramaphosa's legal team has argued at the High Court in Cape Town that misconduct without evidence of acting in bad faith, does not automatically equate to impeachment. The President wants the Parliamentary Impeachment Committee process suspended pending the review of the Section 89 Independent Panel report, that found that he has a prima facie case to answer over the Phala Phala matter. The committee is the result of a May Constitutional Court ruling that the National Assembly acted irrationally when it voted against the implementation of the report and that impeachment proceedings should be instituted against the President. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Lawson Naidoo the executive Secretary of the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution.
SAFA mourns former Bafana player Jayden Adams' passing.
SAFA Vice-President Linda Zwane says the death of former Bafana Bafana player Jayden Adams has plunged South African football into profound shock and grief. Speaking at Adams' memorial service, he described the 25-year-old as a beacon of hope, a humble young man and an exceptional football talent whose promising career was cut short. Family, friends, government officials, teammates and supporters have gathered in Stellenbosch to celebrate the life of the late Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder, Jayden Adams. He was found dead at a residence in Cape Town last weekend.The memorial service, honouring the life of the late Bafana Bafana star, is currently underway in Stellenbosch. It is one of two services taking place in Adams' hometown today. The 25-year-old died in Cape Town over the weekend. Zwane addressing the mourns had this to say
Madlanga Commission hears evidence on Fadiel Adams investigation.
The Madlanga Commission has heard that a junior investigator from the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, or IDAC, assisted in collecting police dockets linked to the National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader and MP, Fadiel Adams investigation. Senior IDAC investigator Colonel Brian Padayachee testified that WhatsApp messages dated the 6th of December 2024 indicate investigators were already at the Police Inspectorate regarding the dockets. However, Padayachee told the commission he did not instruct investigator Rapetsu to retrieve the files and could not explain how Rapetsu knew they were there. He said only Rapetsu could answer who directed him to the Inspectorate. The commission is probing the handling of sensitive police investigations and alleged interference in high-profile cases.
Analyst: NPA must prove legal or procedural errors to overturn Omotoso acquittal
The Supreme Court of Appeal has granted the National Prosecuting Authority leave to appeal the acquittal of Timothy Omotoso and his co-accused on charges including rape, sexual assault and human trafficking. The trio were cleared by the Gqeberha High Court in 2024 after the state failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. This latest development reopens complex legal questions around prosecution standards, appeals, and justice for alleged victims. Elvis Presslin spoke to Constitutional Law and legal analyst, Lufuno Nevondwe...
eThekwini ratepayers say failed petitions forced them into politics.
After years of complaints over service delivery, the eThekwini Ratepayers Protest Movement will contest November's local elections. The civic group says it's time to move from protest to power in Durban. But can a civic movement successfully transition into political power? To answer this and Elvis Presslin spoke to the movement's Chairperson, Asad Gaffar, to discuss their plans...
MISA welcomes Toyota's R10.4bn Durban investment
President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to officiate a R10.4 billion investment by Toyota South Africa Motors in Durban, focused on cleaner energy and new automotive technologies. This comes as global automakers, including Volkswagen, face mounting pressure to cut costs, with potential job losses on the horizon. The developments raise important questions about economic transformation, labour impacts, and the role of media in shaping public understanding. Elvis Presslin spoke to Phakamile Hlubi Majola, Misa spokesperson....
SAMATU: Doctors may testify at Commissions of Inquiry while protecting patient confidentiality.
The Madlanga Commission will subpoena doctors who issued medical certificates to North West businessman Sulieman Carrim. Evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson told the commission Carrim was allegedly seen at a Western Cape shopping centre while seeking a postponement on medical grounds. Witnesses have come forward and video footage will be presented to the Commission today in this respect. For reaction on doctors being subpoenaed before the Commission, Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Tshilidzi Sadiki, President of the South African Medical Association Trade Union (SAMATU)...
Madlanga Commission postponements driving costs higher, warns Bolhuis
The Madlanga Commission has postponed alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala's testimony to 1 September 2026, after granting his legal team's application for a postponement. Matlala's lawyers argued that compelling him to testify before the commission would undermine his Section 35 constitutional rights as an accused person, ahead of his attempted murder trial, which is due to begin next week. The commission accepted the application, delaying his appearance until after the criminal proceedings have progressed. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Private Investigator Mike Bolhuis
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