Drama/Umdlalo womoya

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) says it has found that the rural area of Umzimkhulu in Kwazulu-Natal is plagued high levels of child marriages, gender-based violence, child abuse, and neglect amongst other social ills. The Commission's KZN provincial manager, Zanele Ncwane, says the commission has been working with the community of Umzimkhulu since 2019 after a non-profit organization (NGO) alerted it to the case of a 15-year-old who was married off to an older man. Meanwhile, Stats SA has also revealed that South Africa recorded 207 child marriages in 2021, of which 188 were brides and 19 were grooms. Statistics South Africa revealed this to the African Union special rapporteur who is currently in the country to monitor and evaluate progress on how South Africa is performing in its campaign to end child marriages. For more on this we spoke to KZN's provincial head for Commission for Gender Equality manager Zanele Ncwane

Presenter: Big Joe

AM Drama

PM Drama

Niger mediation efforts have stalled after the leaders of a July coup rejected another diplomatic mission. Neighbouring allies who back the armed take over appealed to the United Nations to prevent a military intervention.Niger's junta denied entry to a joint delegation from African countries and the United Nations yesterday, resisting pressure to negotiate ahead of a summit on Thursday in which the main regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), will discuss possible use of force. The coup leaders defied a deadline to reinstate the ousted president on Sunday. The possibility of military intervention will also be discussed, but ECOWAS has said it is a last resort. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Nigerian journalist, Jonathan James Lyamgohn

Gauteng Social Development MEC Mbali Hlophe has confirmed that a toddler seen in a horrific video being violently kicked by her mother has been moved to a place of safety, away from the mother. The horrific video, which has since gone viral, depicts the mother also applying pressure with her foot on the neck of the child as he lay on the floor. A case of child abuse has been being investigated, and the mother of the child is expected to appear in court tomorrow. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Mbali Hlophe

AM Drama

The City of Cape Town has declared that it will press criminal charges against the leadership of the South African National Taxi Council, SANTACO, for acts of violence and unrest that were caused during SANTACO's ongoing taxi strike in the Western Cape, which started last week

The provincial Transport MEC Xolile Nqatha is today meeting with the taxi industry leadership, as well as their counterparts in the bus industry, to find a solution to attacks on both local and long-distance buses, allegedly by taxi operators. The most recent incident was the burning of two buses from AB350 in Cacadu two months ago. This meeting comes after a second court order was obtained by Intercape in the Makhanda high court, compelling the Minister of Transport and SAPS to develop a comprehensive safety and security plan to protect its passengers and drivers. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Eastern Cape provincial transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose..

The City of Cape Town has declared that it will press criminal charges against the leadership of the South African National Taxi Council, SANTACO, for acts of violence and unrest that were caused during SANTACO's ongoing taxi strike in the Western Cape, which started last week. A man has been shot and killed and three others injured in Nyanga (on the Cape Flats) amid the ongoing taxi strike in the province. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Cape Town's mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith..

The police in the Eastern Cape are investigating an apparent suicide murder tragedy that played out in Butterworth at the Weekend. It is believed that a mother of three first killed her daughters before taking her own life. Police spokesperson, Col Priscilla Naidu says a neighbour found the 38-year-old, Bongeka Buso, hanging in her rondavel on Sunday morning. Her two younger daughters were found on the bed while her 14-year-old was stabbed in the neck. Meanwhile, the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development has gathered in the very same community where this tragic incident happened. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Busisiwe Jemsana-Mantashe, speaking on behalf of the province's MEC for Social Development, Bukiwe Fanta, who is still engaging with community members...

PM Drama

The police in the Eastern Cape are investigating an apparent suicide murder tragedy that played out in Butterworth at the Weekend. It is believed that a mother of three first killed her daughters before taking her own life.

Presenter: Big Joe

AM Drama

PM Drama

The City of Cape Town authorities say officers have made 27 arrests following the blockade of the N-2 highway by taxi drivers, while police have arrested eight taxi drivers in Mfuleni. In the early hours of this morning, approximately 30 taxis blocked the N-2 inbound at Borcherd's Quarry. Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith says numerous incidents have been reported, including four Golden Arrow buses being torched. Four private vehicles were set alight. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Atule Joka

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane is vising Queens High School in Johannesburg following the death of Brian Ndlovu, a Grade 9 boy learner from the school. Brian Ndlovu died after he was allegedly bullied by another learner and forced to consume poison. His mother, Mildred Ndlovus says the law must take its course. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Sashin Naidoo

AM Drama

Presenter: Big Joe

A group of various lawyer associations have defended their call to have Road Accident Fund CEO, Collins Letsoalo removed. Ten professional bodies in the legal fraternity including the Black Lawyers Association(BLA), The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA), and the South African Medical Association Medico-Legal Association (SAMLA) and others have signed an urgent memorandum over what they describe as a crisis at the fund. They accuse the fund of mismanagement due to the delay in claim payments, poor communication, and incapacity. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to RAF CEO, Collins Letsoalo and Gauteng Chairperson of the Black Lawyers Association, Theo Mapheto...

Presenter: Big Joe

Presenter: Big Joe

Presenter: Big Joe

Presenter: Big Joe

PM Drama

The West African regional bloc ECOWAS has given Niger's coup leaders one week to hand over power to the President of that country or face possible military intervention. The deadline comes after Niger's democratically elected president was toppled by members of his presidential guard last week. Members of ECOWAS led by Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu gave Niger's junta leaders a week to release and reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to International Crisis Group and Senior Advisor for African Union Liesl Louw-Vaudran...

WaterCAN has opened a criminal charge against the City of Joburg municipal managers for sewage pollution and says it is time to hold the people accountable for not doing their jobs. According to the initiative, the City of Johannesburg municipal manager Floyd Brink and former manager Bryne Maduka have failed to stop a year-long sewage spill blamed on infrastructure failure. Dr Ferrial Adam, Executive Manager for WaterCAN says polluting water is a violation of basic rights, including the right to health. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Dr Ferrial Adam, Executive Manager for WaterCAN

The Gauteng police have opened an inquiry into the death of a grade 9 pupil from Queens High School in Johannesburg. 15-year-old, Brian Ndlovu was allegedly forced to drink poison. The family says he got sick after returning from school. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the mother of the boy, Mildred Ndlovu...

The Nama-Khoi Municipality in the Northern Cape says efforts to excavate more bodies at a tailing dump site near Kleinzee in the Namaqualand region are continuing. This follows the discovery of 13 bodies after a tunnel collapsed at a mining site. Local police say seven of the 13 bodies were found atop the tailing dump while one was found under the tailing dump. Municipal spokesperson, Jason Milford says local authorities have been working endlessly to retrieve more possible bodies. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Municipal spokesperson, Jason Milford...

Topic: The opportunity for blind and partially sighted adults to write matric. Guest: December Nkosi

AM Drama (New Series)

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has licensed the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA) to operate the country's transmission system. Eskom has welcomed the decision of the NERSA. Eskom will be divided into three entities: generation, distribution, and transmission, which form a key part of Eskom's Turnaround Plan as detailed in the Department of Public Enterprises' Roadmap for Eskom in a Reformed Electricity Supply Industry. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Full-time Regulator Member primarily responsible for Electricity Regulation at NERSA. Nhlanhla Gumede

PM Drama

AM DRAMA

PM DRAMA

The Judicial Conduct Tribunal of High Court Judge Tintswalo Annah Nana Makhubele resumed today. The tribunal is considering allegations of misconduct in relation to Judge Makhubele's time as chair of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) board. This is after commuter activist organisation #UniteBehind laid the complaint with the Judicial Service Commission in 2019 accusing Makhubele of misconduct when she took up dual roles of Gauteng High Court judge and chairperson of the PRASA board. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to reporter Canny Maphanga...

The sixth General Assembly of the Association of African Anti-Corruption Authorities (AAACA) has begun its second day in Kempton Park. The General Assembly focuses on the global fight against corruption and money laundering, exchanges on national experiences in the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows, as well as the importance of cooperation and coordinated approaches for asset recovery in Africa. The subject of the General Assembly is "Promote citizen engagement in the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows, ensuring the African continent's holistic development. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Advocate Andy Mothibi Head of the Special Investigating Unit

The South African National Parks celebrated World Ranger Day in Tsitsikamma in the Eastern Cape. Tribute was paid to the rangers, who were killed or injured on duty. The day was also dedicated to recognising the brave men and women for their outstanding work in protecting our natural heritage and resources. Meanwhile, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy earlier today gave her latest report on measures to combat Rhino poaching. This is as the country has seen a shift in poaching from the Kruger National Park to KwaZulu-Natal's EzeMvelo-KZN Wildlife. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Minister Creecy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy

Riverlea residents, South of Johannesburg say their plea for police visibility in the area seems to have fallen on deaf ears. This is despite an assurance by Police Minister, Bheki Cele that he would ensure the deployment of the Tactical Response Unit - Amabherete - in the area as a matter of urgency. The community took to the streets yesterday complaining of living in fear following an alleged turf war between illegal miners which resulted in a shot out and death of five Zama-Zamas over the weekend. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to reporter, Sashin Naidoo...

AM DRAMA

PM DRAMA

Residents from Riverlea in the south of Johannesburg took to the streets to protest against violence allegedly linked to illegal mining. Five suspected zama zamas were killed at the weekend in Riverlea, following an alleged turf war between rival factions. They believe corrupt police officers are allowing illegal miners to operate in the community freely. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to reporter Sashin Naidoo and Mining Expert, Sifiso Dladla...

Parliament's Section 194 committee, looking into the fitness of the suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane to hold office, is compiling its draft report. The existence of the committee follows the National Assembly's adoption of a motion to probe Mkhwebane's fitness to hold office, after several negative court findings against her. Suspended Public Protector's term of office ends on the 15th of October. Many times the work of the committee was delayed, including two recusal applications for the chairperson, Qubudile Dyantyi and court challenges against the Parliamentary process. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC repoter Lulama Matya..

AM DRAMA

Presenter: Big Joe

The Coal-Face with Martin Creamer, publishing editor of Engineering News and Mining Weekly. 1. Gold is being taken out of the West Rand mine dumps in an impressive new R2.5-billion development project. 2. A new opencast mine will begin producing platinum group metals in Limpopo by year-end. 3. The generation of green hydrogen was this week declared fully competitive.

Just days before the start of the African National Congress (ANC) Veterans League Conference, its presidential hopeful, Tony Yengeni, has been barred from contesting for the post. Yengeni was set to square off with party veteran Dr Snuki Zikalala, who is the Convener of the Veterans League. He says he got an invitation stating that he can only attend the conference as a guest and not as a delegate. The ANC Veterans' League will hold its National Conference this weekend to elect new leaders. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to ANC NEC member Tonny Yengeni

The Institute for Economic Justice together with the #PayTheGrants, have filed an application at the Pretoria High Court to challenge regulations which they say exclude many eligible people from getting the Social Relief Grant. They say fewer people have access to the grant today than was the case at its peak in March 2022. The latest research estimates at least 16 million people should be eligible for the SRD grant. Yet, in May 2023, while 14.4 million applied for the grant, only 8.4 million were approved, with 7.1 million people actually being paid. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Deputy Chairperson of the #PayTheGrant, Elizabeth Raiters...