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Scores of Johannesburg residents take to the streets over lack of water supply
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Scores of residents from Melville and surrounding areas in Johannesburg took to the streets this morning in protest over the lack of water supply in their areas. Some residents says it's been more than 8 weeks since they've had regular water coming out of their taps. They say supply has either been non-existent or they're getting up at midnight to do their washing and water collection. SABC reporter, Thabiso Radebe is on the ground and brings us an update....
LGE2026: The IEC says they're committed to making the voting process more efficient
By Newsbreak Senior Producer, Taresh Harreeparshad - The Electoral Commission says they have employed a lot of measures to improve efficiency of the voting process for next weeks Local Government Elections. These include managing sequence numbers on voters roll, having readily available QR codes to check if you're in the right queue and more efficient use of voter management devices. It's about a week left for the elections- and KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Electoral Officer Ntombifuthi Masinga says it's all systems go...
[LISTEN] UKZN launches R2.2 million upgraded engineering LAN facility at Howard College #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Shona Terri Naidoo - The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) says its newly refurbished Local Area Network or LAN will provide its students with a world-class engineering foundation. In partnership with Aberdare Cables, the "AberTech LAN" was launched through a R2.2 million investment. Among those in attendance at the launch were Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, who welcomed the upgraded LAN equipment, highlighting its role in improving the quality of graduates by ensuring they have access to reliable, up-to-date technology. Professor Glen Campbell Snedden of UKZN's Department of Mechanical Engineering says the upgraded facility accommodates 163 students and provides modern technology for engineering design, digital modeling and specialised software training...
[LISTEN] Rising global commodity prices threaten renewed inflation pressure for SA consumers #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Rising global commodity prices are raising concerns about renewed inflationary pressure in South Africa, with motorists, businesses and households potentially facing higher costs. Geopolitical tensions, tightening energy supplies and climate-related disruptions are driving up prices across fuel, food and industrial commodities. South Africa's reliance on imported fuel and the risk of weaker agricultural output could add to the pressure on consumer prices and household budgets. Sector Economist at Global Risk Assessment Firm, Coface, Simon Lacoume says diversification is key and industries need to forward plan as far as possible...
[LISTEN] SANBS appeals for urgent blood donations as national stocks drop to 3.9 days #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hossen Ebrahim - South Africa's blood stocks have dropped to 3.9 days' cover, prompting the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) to appeal for urgent donations ahead of the festive season. The service needs 3,500 units of blood daily to meet patient demand, but current collections remain below requirements. Some regions are facing even greater pressure, with stocks falling below three days' cover. SANBS warns that the shortage could put pressure on the availability of blood for life-saving procedures and emergency care. SANBS Spokesperson, Neelashan Govender explains...
[LISTEN] Colours of Bliss Autism Centre prepare to host second annual charity golf day on the Bluff #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - The Colours of Bliss Autism Centre is gearing up to host its second annual fundraising golf day next month at the Bluff Golf Course, raising vital funds to support children and young adults with autism. The non-profit organisation is reaching out to businesses and the broader public to assist through hole sponsorships, prize donations and goodie bag contributions to ensure the event's success. Fundraising coordinator Jeeven Padayachee joins us to share more about the upcoming golf day and how the community can get involved...
[LISTEN] Natal Indian Congress Legacy Foundation condemns xenophobic violence and attacks in KZN #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - The Natal Indian Congress Legacy Foundation has condemned the ongoing xenophobic violence in KwaZulu-Natal, particularly in eThekwini, where foreign nationals have reportedly been killed, injured and forced from their homes and communities. The organisation says targeting people based on their nationality violates South Africa's Constitution and international agreements. NICLEF has also criticized political parties it accuses of supporting groups involved in violent operations targeting foreign nationals. The organisation says unemployment and poverty are rooted in South Africa's post-apartheid economic realities and should not be blamed on foreign nationals. NICLEF spokesperson, Dr Lubna Nadvi explains...
[LISTEN] Man accused of raping and killing four year old daughter sentenced to life behind bars
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - The 34-year-old man who pleaded guilty to the assault, rape and murder of his four-year-old daughter has been sentenced to life in prison by the Johannesburg High Court. The man says he was using drugs and does not understand why he committed what he described as a heinous crime. During cross-examination, he also told the court that he was not the biological father of the four-year-old girl. The case stems from an incident at the family’s home in Eldorado Park in August 2025 where the child was allegedly assaulted and sexually abused. SABC reporter Musa Mhlongo is at court and brings us an update....
[LISTEN]Duduzile-Zuma-Sambudla's unrest trial continues
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - An investigating officer has taken the stand in the 2021 July unrest trial of former president Jacob Zuma's daughter - Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla - in Durban High Court. The states second witness is currently being cross examined by the defense. Zuma-Sambudla is facing charges of incitement to commit public violence and incitement to commit terrorism in connection with the 2021 unrest following her father's imprisonment for contempt of court. The trial has been set down for 2 weeks. SABC reporter, Dries Liebenberg is at court and tells us more....
[LISTEN] Alleged "Guardrail Mafia" appear in court following multi-million-rand infrastructure theft #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - The so-called "Guardrail Mafia" has appeared in the KwaDukuza Magistrates' Court following their arrest for allegedly stealing road guardrails worth millions of rands. KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma commended police and prosecutors for the arrests, saying the thefts has contributed to the deaths of road users. The case has raised serious concerns about the safety of motorists and the protection of public infrastructure. Spokesperson for the KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Ndabezinhle Sibiya...
[LISTEN] Female workplace safety under spotlight as experts address GBV dynamics and reporting barriers #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - The ongoing crisis of gender-based violence in South Africa - punctuated by the tragic murders of women in Ekurhuleni - has once again thrust the issue of women's safety into the national spotlight. While public spaces and homes are critical areas of concern, safety issues also extend directly into corporate and workplace environments - where power dynamics often prevent women from speaking out against harassment or inappropriate behavior. Mark Baker, CEO and psychologist at Mygrow, joined us this morning (Tues. 27/10/2026) to discuss workplace safety dynamics and why female employees often hesitate to report misconduct when it first occurs...
[LISTEN] Zuma-Sambudla defense team accuses investigating officer of pre-judging July 2021 unrest case #sabcnews
The legal team of former president Jacob Zuma's daughter has accused the investigating officer in the Durban High Court of pre-judging the unrest-related case against her as early as July 2021. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla is being charged with incitement to commit violence and incitement to commit terrorism. The charges stem from a series of 38 Tweets she posted within 36 hours after Zuma went to prison for contempt of court. Widespread unrest broke out in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, claiming more than 300 lives and costing the economy billions of rands. Dries Liebenberg reports...
[LISTEN] Stroke Week | Health experts warn of rising stroke risk among younger adults in Indian community #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - A follow up now on a story we broadcast last week... South Africa is facing growing concern over strokes affecting younger people, particularly within the Indian community. Health experts are warning of rising risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. With Stroke Week beginning tomorrow, medical professionals are urging the public to recognize the warning signs and seek emergency treatment without delay. Durban vascular surgeon Dr. Vinesh Padayachy says inherited risk, unhealthy diets and increasingly sedentary lifestyles are contributing to the problem...
[LISTEN] Woodhurst Secondary alumni launch fundraising drive to restore decaying Chatsworth school #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Concern is mounting over the deteriorating condition of Woodhurst Secondary School at Chatsworth, south of Durban, with the state of the school raising concerns about the quality of teaching and learning. The 45-year-old school is also grappling with low morale, while its learner intake appears to have declined over the years. The schools alumni and stakeholders are now turning to fundraising initiatives* to restore the institution to its former glory. Woodhurst Secondary School reunion committee member, Kimberly Naidu says they hope these efforts will help create a better learning environment and revive the school's standing in the community... * The first event takes place this Saturday the 31st of October - you can find more information on the Woodhurst Secondary School Facebook page or contact the school directly.
[LISTEN] Man heroically rescues drowning bather after unexpected change of plans to visit Ansteys Beach #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - An unexpected change in plans resulted in a man risking his own life to save a drowning bather at Ansteys Beach, south of Durban. On Saturday evening, 49-year-old Marvin Phillips from Clairwood had intended to visit Durban's North Beach with family, however they decided to visit Anstey's Beach instead. In a video circulating on social media, Phillips is seen diving into tumultuous water to save a man who was visibly having difficulty out at sea. Without hesitation, Phillips dove into the water and after several minutes successfully pulled the man to shore. Phillips says he believes he was at the right place at the right time...
[LISTEN] Defend Our Democracy urges voters to interrogate political party tactics ahead of November 4 elections #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - As election campaigning reaches its intensity ahead of November the 4th- electoral watchdog body Defend Our Democracy (D.O.D) has urged prospective voters to be very mindful of the tactics that political parties will be employing to garner votes. DOD chairperson Rosalie Manning explains some key areas of focus that the electorate needs to interrogate before they make the decision about who to vote for...
[LISTEN] Wellness Wake-Up | WeWork advocates bringing playground concepts to workplaces to boost employee wellness #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Bringing the concept of a traditional playground to the workplace may improve employee wellness and co-worker engagement in a world that barely connects the way it used to before technology's evolution. According to Stefano Migliore, CEO of WeWork South Africa, the playground once taught children how to deal with different people and that screens have created distance between co-workers. In this week's Wellness Wake-Up, explains why coordinating presence matters more than counting it...
[LISTEN] President Ramaphosa decries political killings during ANC Soweto campaign trail #sabcnews
ANC President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has decried the political killings that have rocked some parts of the country recently. Last week, four ANC members were killed in Katlehong, east of Johannesburg and two in Umgababa in KwaZulu-Natal. They were allegedly killed by members of rival parties. Speaking during his party's campaign trail in Soweto on Sunday (25/10), President Ramaphosa said political parties must implore on their members to avoid political violence. Ntebo Mokobo reports...
LGE26 Alternative parties have their say on Newsbreak Talk #sabcnews
-by Newsbreak's Taresh Harreeparshad. Is a vote for a party with a smaller vote share- ultimately a vote for bigger political parties? In this edition of newsbreak Talk we discuss this point with: Trisha Nair, VF Plus Asghar Khan, Al Jama-ah Hans Chotoo, National Freedom Party
LGE26 Newsbreak's Final Debate heats up the election race #sabcnews
-by Newsbreak's Taresh Harreeparshad. Newsbreak on Lotus FM wrapped it's Election Debate Roadshow with eThekwini Mayoral Candidates vying for the 2026 Local Government Election top spot in the metro. The panel consisted of: The ANC's Cyril Xaba The DA's Haniff Hoosen The IFP's Selvan Govender The MKP's Visvin Reddy and The ACC's Imtiaz Syed. Here's how these political players plan on securing your vote this election...
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