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Lotus FM News Break
#PODCAST CRL Rights Commission launch historic first-ever accountability committee for the Hindu community #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (or the CRL Rights Commission) has inaugurated a first-ever Section 22 Committee for the Hindu faith community. Ten community leaders have been appointed following a national consultative process to serve on the committee. The committee will not regulate religion, prescribe doctrine or interfere in the internal affairs of religious organisations, but serves to facilitate structured engagement that will in due course develop a code of conduct and an accountability framework relevant to this community. Commissioner, Dr Rajendran Govender, who will oversee the work of the committee presented the Terms of Reference and outlined the governance framework, administrative arrangements and implementation roadmap that will guide the committee's work. He elaborates...
#PODCAST Mahumapelo calls for constructive dialogue to counter migration polarisation #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - While migration contributes significantly to economic growth, entrepreneurship and cultural diversity, it also represents complex challenges relating to social cohesion and governance capacity. That's according to the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation in the National Assembly of South Africa. Chairperson, Supra Mahumapelo, spoke to Newsbreak's Shanell Daniel following a symposium on migration and social cohesion in collaboration with the Witwatersrand School of Governance and the International Organisation for Migration. Mahumapelo says constructive dialogue will strengthen mutual understanding and contribute towards countering polarisation within communities...
#PODCAST Acting Police Minister Cachalia leads massive security parade in Durban ahead of Tuesday's planned marches #sabcnews
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has led a multi-disciplinary state of readiness parade at Durban's North Beach -- where police officers and other security personnel have been deployed ahead of the 30th of June demonstrations. The parade was attended by Premier Thami Ntuli and Acting Provincial Police Commissioner, Major General Phumelele Makoba. The purpose of the parade was to showcase the province's readiness to mantain law and order during planned marches. Khalesakhe Mbhense reports...
#PODCAST Shocking stats show how South African men are 5 times more likely to commit suicide than women #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - As South Africa wraps up Men's Mental Health Awareness Month this June - there is growing concern that men are less likely to seek psychological help. This is despite men being about five times more likely to commit suicide than women. According to Cloud Therapist wellness clinic- this is because men are socialised to be tougher with their emotions. In this week's Wellness Wakeup founder Sabelo Gumede explains how teaching men to be in touch with their emotions via a multitude of platforms could promote better men's mental health...
#PODCAST South African apartheid-era drama "Sugar Cane Boy" set to release in cinemas this July #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Executive Producer Salma Patel - A South African movie set against the backdrop of the rise of the sugar industry in KwaZulu-Natal is set to hit the silver screen in July. Sugar Cane Boy, written and directed by Rubendra Govender, is set in 1972 and tracks the journey of Soya Sivaramen, a young boy growing up during the dark days of apartheid, segregation and injustice. Ishara Desai plays the character Dolly Sivaramen, the mother in the movie...
#PODCAST Government assure South Africans that June 30th is a normal working day - as police go on high alert #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - Deputy Police Minister Polly Boshielo says tomorrow is not a government gazetted deadline - so everything should operate as normal. This comes as many South Africans experience anxiety about whether or not to close operations for the day. Deputy Minister Boshielo says the public should carry on as normal- because the police will be on standby to protect them...
"That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard" - March and March reacts to looting concerns for 30 June #sabcnews
-by Newsbreak's Taresh Harreeparshad. Anti-immigration group March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma says concerns about possible looting during their demonstrations on Tuesday is the most ridiculous thing she's ever heard. A nationwide protest is scheduled for 30 June- where the group is calling for all undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa. Already police has confirmed that they are on standby for any eventuality. But the public remains anxious that the demonstration could spark a repeat of the July Unrest of 2021. In this edition of Newsbreak Talk- we discuss the plans in place for the nationwide demonstrations...
Exactly who is an African? #sabcnews
-by Newsbreak's Taresh Harreeparshad. "I'm not speaking to you, I am speaking to the Africans" This statement sparked a lot of tension in Durban- after a video went viral showing Ethekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba saying these words to an Indian-origin man in Sherwood, where hundreds of foreign nationals were being repatriated. It is understood that the man was in fact South African. The Mayors office says- they didn't know this. But the issue- in a time when South Africa is experiencing heightened tensions between foreign nationals and local residents- has sparked a tough debate about who exactly is considered an African? 6 Degree Shift director Dr. Rama Naidu and Political expert Prof. Bheki Mngomezulu helped us make sense of this question...
SA TB research redefines global treatment strategies #sabcnews
-by Newsbreak's Taresh Harreeparshad South African Tuberculosis research has redefined the way the diseased is treated globally. The findings of BEAT Tuberculosis, the South African clinical study that began in a research unit in Gqeberha, has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). This is the highest-ranked medical journal in the world. The data of this shifted the standard treatment of TB that required a seven-drug regimen administered over a minimum of nine months. BEAT Tuberculosis was able to utilise a regimen of four to five medications administered over six months. Principal investigator of BEAT Tuberculosis Dr Francesca Conradie says their research study has set the global standard for TB care...
#PODCAST Pressure mounts in Durban as thousands of Malawians race against the looming unofficial repatriation deadline #sabcnews
The race to complete the voluntary repatriation of Malawian nationals is intensifying in Durban. This as the June 30th deadline - set down by the march leaders draws closer. About 13-thousand people have already been transported to Malawi but new arrivals continue to gather outside the old drive-in transit camp. Authorities says the pressure is mounting to process and manage those inside the camp and those still waiting outside. Gcinokuhle Malinga has more...
#PODCAST Newsbreak Sardine Update with Adam Kamdar - 26 June 2026 #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - This morning we crossed to avid fisherman Adam Kamdar for the latest on the 2026 sardine run...
#PODCAST A Durban father and son duo prepare to tackle a 10,000km cross-continent rally to combat Gender-Based Violence #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Durban petroleum executive Darin Samuels and his son Devon are set to embark on a gruelling 10,000-kilometre cross-continental journey in July, as part of the 2026 Africa Rally. Driving a VW Caddy that was written off during the July 2021 unrest and painstakingly restored, the father-and-son duo are turning a painful symbol of past destruction into a mobile message of resilience. Darin explains that their 40-day expedition through Southern and East Africa will raise vital awareness and funds for the TEARS Foundation to combat the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence (GBV)... * You can follow their journey via the website https://www.sevenshadesofpurple.co.za
#PODCAST Police and private security companies team up to monitor the planned anti-illegal immigrant protests #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - A crime a violence analyst believes the collaboration between SAPS and private security is the best way to monitor and control the planned anti-illegal immigrant protests on the 30th of June. The Acting National Police Commissioner Puleng Dimpane has assured South Africans that the SAPS together with other law enforcement agencies, including the metro and private security, are fully prepared for the planned demonstrations. While march organisers maintain that protests will remain peaceful, law enforcement is preparing for any eventuality. Independent Crime and Violence analyst, Dr Chris de Kok elaborates...
#PODCAST Newsbreak Fishing Report - 26 June 2026 #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Cast away with this week's Newsbreak Fishing Report, brought to you by KZN angler Sanjay Ramsarup...
#PODCAST High consumer demand keeps a sophisticated illegal crayfish syndicate thriving along the N2 highway #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - The illegal crayfish trade along the N2 near Hibberdene is showing no signs of slowing down, with authorities blaming strong consumer demand for keeping the market alive. Environmental activists say the roadside trade is linked to a sophisticated syndicate that has operated for decades while officials warn that the network stretches far beyond the vendors seen selling along the highway. Enforcement efforts are complicated by the mix of legally and illegally harvested crayfish entering the supply chain. Authorities say repeated crackdowns have failed to dismantle the operation completely. South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) spokesperson, Desmond D'Sa has urged the public to stop buying crayfish from roadside sellers to help curb the trade...
#PODCAST Fourth suspect arrested in kidnapping and murder case of 7 Newark family members
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - KwaZulu-Natal police have confirmed that a fourth suspect has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping and murder of seven family members from Newark on the KZN north coast in April this year. The suspect was arrested yesterday, just a day after three other suspects appeared in court. On Tuesday, one of the men accused, indicated in the KwaDukuza Magistrates Court that he intends to apply for bail. The bodies of the victims were later found in the Melmoth area about 2-hundred kilometers from their home. The case has been remanded to the 31st of July for further investigation. PR Councillor in the Mandeni Municipality, Kuben Naicker says there is a sense of relief amongst community members that all suspects are now going to face the full might of the law....
#PODCAST Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala enters plea and sentence agreement
By Newsbreak producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Alleged underworld kingpin Vusumuzi "Cat" Matlala is set to turn state witness, after pleading guilty to all charges against him in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. He faced charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering linked to a 228-million rand SAPS contract awarded to his company Medicare 24. The case was separated yesterday from that of his 16 co-accused, who include suspended National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and several senior SAPS officers. State prosecutor Santhos Manila has proposed a sentence of 15 years' direct imprisonment, with seven years suspended after Matlala also reached a sentence agreement with the state. SABC reporter, Sphiwe Mkhize is at court brings us an update.....
#PODCAST KZN Home Affairs unlikely to complete repatriation of Malawians from Durban before 30 June
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - KwaZulu-Natal Home Affairs says it is unlikely that officials will meet the initial deadline for completing the repatriation processing operation, as the number of Malawian nationals arriving at the transit camp in Durban continues to grow. The department says it has already processed more than 8-thousand Malawian nationals. It also revealed that the operation is under increasing pressure due to the continuous arrival of people from across the province, placing additional strain on officials responsible for processing and repatriation. SABC reporter, Gcinokuhle Malinga is on the ground and joins us for an update....
#PODCAST Anti-migrant protest organisers have promised a peaceful national shutdown with no looting come June 30th #sabcnews
Civil organisations have assured the public that the planned national shutdown on the 30th of June will be peaceful, with no violence or looting. This comes as groups, including March and March, United South Africans and Operation Dudula, briefed the media in Johannesburg ahead of protests calling for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa. The organisations say they want to correct what they describe as misinformation surrounding the planned demonstrations. Siphesihle Nhlapo reports…
#PODCAST Over 1,000 KZN youth receive skills training certificates in a boost for employment hope in the construction sector #sabcnews
Over 1,000 young people have received certificates after completing extensive skills training aimed at boosting employment in KwaZulu-Natal's construction sector. KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma says the graduates will be integrated into the construction value chain and the broader built environment industry. The initiative forms part of government efforts to tackle youth unemployment while driving infrastructure development. Hoosen Ebrahim filed this report...
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