Drama/Umdlalo womoya

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

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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...

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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..

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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...

Residents of Mqhekezweni in the Eastern Cape live in fear as criminals demand protection fee, or they could be victims of rape. The chief in that area has indicated that they are aware of this and the community is patrolling however the challenge is that the criminals are armed with guns. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to reporter, Fundiswa Mhlekude...

Qubudile Dyantjie, Chairperson of the Section 194 committee probing the fitness of suspended public protector Adv Busisiwe Mkhwebane has briefed the committee on the application by Mkhwebane to remove himself from presiding over her inquiry. Dyantyi has decided not to recuse himself and says Mkhwebane failed to provide all the recordings she relied on in the recusal application. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to our reporter in parliament, Joseph Mosia..

Presenter: Big Joe

Presenter: Big Joe

Workers at the Cape Town Office of the State Attorney are enraged that one of their colleague has been on sick leave for seven years while receiving full pay and benefits. Despite being watched by coworkers while on regular holiday trips Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the Solicitor-General within the department of Justice and Correctional Services Fhedzisani Pandelani

Individuals wishing to establish and operate non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and religious institutions may soon undergo mandatory vetting by state security services to evaluate whether they pose a threat to national security. President Cyril Ramaphosa's Cabinet recently adopted the 2023 General Intelligence Law Amendment Bill (Gilab), which makes numerous substantial changes to the laws governing the State Security Agency (SSA), South Africa's leading government intelligence and security body. Gilab is part of Ramaphosa's government's response to the SSA's deeply rooted problems, including political factionalism, mismanagement of millions in clandestine funding, and a general disdain for the law and the Constitution. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Daily Maverick freelancer Heidi Swart

Russia-Africa Summit aims to foster mutually beneficial cooperation and partnerships between Russia and the African continent. This 2nd Summit is expected to consider four declarations and a three-year Action Plan, which will be presented for consideration. Russian president Vladimir Putin has welcomed African leaders at the 2nd Humanitarian and Economic Russia/Africa summit currently ongoing in St' Petersburg. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Professor of International Relations and Director at the African Centre for the Study of the United States at Wits University, Professor Gilbert Khadiagala

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Topic: Legislation of albinism as a disability/Umthetho ohlathulula i-alibhinizimu ukuthi kukhubazeka Guest:Dieketseng Motloung

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The Ad Hoc Committee to Nominate a Person for Appointment as Public Protector has shortlisted eight names from 38 nominees. Those nominated include the Acting public protector advocate Kholeka Gcaleka. The interviews will now take place over two days next month. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC news' senior reporter Mercedes Besent...

Pressure continues to mount on the leadership of the Road Accident Fund following calls for its CEO, Collins Letsoalo and RAF board members to resign. Various stakeholders made the call within the legal fraternity after writing to the government seeking urgent intervention. The lawyers highlighted in their letter what they described as a state of chaos and ineffectiveness in servicing road accident claimants. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Road Accident Fund CEO Collins Letsoalo...

Presenter: Big Joe

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Workers at the Office of the State Attorney in Cape Town are furious that one of their coworkers has been on sick leave for seven years while getting full pay and benefits. This is despite being observed by co-workers while on routine vacations. The employee is accused of posting herself on social media while on vacation and appearing well. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to spokeperson for Public Servants Association, Ruben Maleka

Various stakeholders within the legal fraternity have called on the government to urgently intervene in what they have described as a deteriorating situation at the Road Accident Fund. Long queues, unprocessed claims and poorly administered block settlements have shaped the fund's head offices in Pretoria. Now a collection of the legal fraternity, including the Law Society of South Africa and the Black Lawyers Association, has called for the immediate dismissal of the current RAF board and CEO. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the president of the Black Lawyers Association, Advocate Bayethe Maswazi...

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Presenter: Big Joe

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DA Shadow Minister of Police Andrew Whitfield is expected to lay criminal charges against Police Minister Bheki Cele and the National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola. The charges are in connection with the illegal possession of spy equipment, known as "grabbers," by the South African Police Service. Whitfield says Minister Cele admits to unlawfully purchasing grabbers without obtaining the required exemption certificate under the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to DA Shadow Minister of Police Andrew Whitfield...

The ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has warned the Public Enterprises Minister, Pravin Gordhan, that he could be moved from his portfolio if he doesn't carry out the ANC transport policy. During his address at the ANC Women's League Conference at the Nasrec Expo Centre, south of Johannesburg, over the weekend, Mbalula said the ANC expects performance from its deployees to the government. A few hours after this threat was issued, the ANC issued a statement saying Gordhan's job was not on the line, as alleged by Mbalula. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Political Analyst Sandile Swana...

Amid diplomatic tensions with the US over an alleged sale of arms to Russia, South Africa continues to make a case for its ongoing designation as a beneficiary of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which extends preferential trade access to the American market on certain goods. South Africa is having virtual oral representations with the US government beginning today to keep the trade benefits provided by the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa). Agoa is due to expire in 2025, and there has been much speculation that it might be replaced with new trade agreements between the US and African countries. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Senior Researcher at Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy, Dr Mmatlou Kalaba..

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Presenter: Big Joe

It's that time again on a Friday when Update At Noon presents another Update From The Coal-Face with Martin Creamer, publishing editor of Engineering News and Mining Weekly. 1. This week, The big Impala Platinum mine took steps to generate its own electricity for its mining operations. 2. Gold in Gauteng's old dumps must be recovered to boost the economy, a meeting in the Golden City heard this week. 3. South Africans were this week urged to go all out to promote platinum globally as a climate crisis saviour. Martin Creamer speaking to Sakina Kamwendo

Authorities are scrambling to find answers regarding the recent Joburg CBD explosion that killed one person and injured 48 others. The City of Johannesburg's preliminary investigation has identified three possible scenarios that could have led to Wednesday's blast in the CBD. These ongoing explosions have raised serious concern among many that urgent interventions are seriously needed. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Hulme Scholes, Director of Melan Scholes Attorney.

It has been reported that the Emfuleni Local Municipality has been paying a salary of about R40-thousand a month to a senior engineering technician who hasn't been to work in four years. This was revealed by Gauteng cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs MEC, Mzi Khumalo, in a written reply to DA MPL Kingsol Chabalala's questions tabled in the legislature in May. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Emfuleni local municipality spokesperson, Makhosonke Sangweni...

The parents of the Enyobeni Tavern victims are meeting with the Eastern Cape health department officials at their forensic laboratory in East London. They are demanding a release of the documents citing the cause of death of their children. This follows the end of 21 patrons at Enyobeni Tavern in Scenery Park, East London, in June last year. The parents were informed verbally last year that asphyxiation was the cause of death, and they were not given any form of documentation. Sakina Kamwedo spoke to reporter Lubabalo Dada

All parties in the DA case have agreed that the matter should no longer proceed in the High Court in Pretoria. The DA initially launched an application to compel the government to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin should he arrive in the country after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him over alleged war crimes in Ukraine. The decision comes after confirmation that Putin will not attend next month's BRICS summit in South Africa. Sakina Kamwendo spoke reporter Canny Maphanga...

Presenter: Big Joe