Drama/Umdlalo womoya

The labour appeals court has issued an order interdicting with immediate effect essential service workers affiliated to Nehawu from continuing with the strike or any other form of industrial action. The court order comes as Nehawu had vowed to intensify its strike this week. NEHAWU says it will comment on matter as soon as it receives legal advise. Udo Carelse spoke to NEHAWU president, Mike Shingange

Presenter: Big Joe

The National Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya held a media briefing earlier today to give an update on high profile cases the HAWKS are investigating as well as to outline and take stock of milestones achieved since the previous quarter. Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya says the killing of police poses a threat to the people of South Africa.

There is a severe microbial contamination in South African rivers and dams . Tha's according to a report from the Department for Water and Sanitation which found that more than half of the sampled sites presented a high health risk if water from the source was used for irrigating crops that were eaten raw, and only 42% indicated a low risk. The results also revealed that water in 64% of the sampled sites was unsuitable for recreational activities. Jon Gericke spoke to Dr Moloko Matlala, Chief Director for National Water Resource Information Managemnt at the Department of Water and Sanitation

Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gade has visited the school where a learner's body was found in a pit latrine. Police have opened an inquest docket after the four-year-old girl's body was found in the toilet at a school in Vaalbank village in Glen Gray on Tuesday morning. Jon Gericke spoke to SABC reporter Sidima Mfeku.

The Centre for Child Law, together with Public Interest Law Centre, Section 27 have expressed dismay and shock at the latest death of a young pre-school learner who's body was found in a pit latrine toilet in Vaalbank Village in Glen Grey near Queenstown in the Eastern Cape. Police say the 4-year old's mother went to the school asking about the girl's whereabouts as she did not return home. Jon Gericke spoke to Stanley Malematja from the Centre for Child Law.

Presenter: Big Joe

Online publication, Ground Up , has reported that Irvin Jim, the General Secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUMSA) has given Zwelinzima Vavi notice that the Trade union intends to recall him from his role as general secretary of the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) . In the letter seen by Ground Up, Irvin Jim cites that Vavi's conduct over a protracted period of time has plainly brought NUMSA as an organisation in disrepute. According to SAFTU constitution, SAFTU office-bearers can be recalled by the affiliate which provided the office-bearer if the member violates the constitution of the affiliate, or brings it into disrepute. To unpack what these internal squabbles mean, Sakina Kamwendo spoke to labour analyst, Terry Bell.

Four independent electricity contractors employed by the municipality of Ekurhuleni to fix electricity at Crywagen Park in were killed by angry community members who suspected them to be cable thieves on Monday afternoon. The ANC in Ekurhuleni, says its highly concerned about mob behaviour which has resulted to the four fatalities. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to ANC Caucus Whip, Jongizizwe Dlabathi.

The strike by members of NEHAWU in the health sectors continues to impact health services in the Eastern Cape. The strike affects health service provision at Dora Nginza and Livingstone Hospitals. However, the Eastern Cape department of health secured a court order interdicting striking workers from interfering or preventing the department from executing its duties. The interdict also bars the striking workers from coming within a 200-metre radius of the department's facilities, unless they report for duty. Patients, workers and clients may also not be interfered with or intimidated. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Nehawu spokesperson, Lwazi Nkolozi.

Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla says at least four deaths can be attributed to the strike action. He also hit hit back at workers saying the principle of no work and no pay shall apply as long as the strike continues.

The country's healthcare system has come under strain as workers affiliated to trade union NEHAWU forge ahead with their national strike action. This despite at least five of the country's provincial health departments obtained court orders interdicting the striking workers from interfering nor preventing the department from exercising its duties. The interdict also bars workers from coming within a 200 metre radius of the department's facilities, unless they report for duty. CEO at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in Johannesburg, Gladys Bogoshi gave this grim picture of how the situation has been at her hospital.

Presenter: Big Joe

Human Rights activist and Daily Maverick Editor, Mark Heywood says the ongoing wage strike by NEHAWU affiliated workers has resulted in the loss of life. Workers in the public sector have downed tools in demand of a 10% wage increase from government. Heywood says it is vital that striking worker do not prevent patients from accessing healthcare.

Disruptions have been reported in all main Gauteng hospitals including at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, Helen Joseph Hospital and the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital. Speaking with SABC reporter, Nothando Magudulela , Nehawu's regional secretary in the province, Vhunani Masindi refuted claims that some strikers pelted cars with stones outside the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital on Wednesday.

Wits SRC deputy president Kamogelo Mabe has announced the suspension of student protests for 24 hours. The SRC say the suspension is on conditions that Wits university removes police and private security from campus. Mabe and the SRC Secretary General at Wits University, Tshiamo Chuma were briefing the media on the latest update on the ongoing protest.

Presenter: Big Joe

Former Public Protector, Thuli Madondela continues to engage with members of Parliament's Section 194 committee probing suspended PP, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane's fitness to hold office. This follows a heated engagement between Madonsela and Mkhwebane's legal representative, Advocate Dali Mpofu yesterday where Madonsela accused Mpofu of conducting himself in an unethical manner. Madonsela has been taking questions from members of the committee and here is a snippet of the interaction.

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe says African leaders must be at the forefront on the solutions to fighting problems facing the continent when it comes to energy. Mantashe was delivering his keynote address on the first day of the Africa Energy Indaba, which starts today at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Organisers of the conference say the aim of the Indaba is to provide space and a platform to discuss and seek solutions for adequate energy generation across the continent.

Gun Free South African says it intends on instituting class action against the South African Police Service for deaths and injuries allegedly resulting from corruption and negligence firearms management. GFSA says this stems from the deaths and injuries which occurred due to the actions of Colonel Christian Prinsloo and Colonel David Naidoo who confessed to selling over two-thousand guns in police stores to gang leaders on the Cape Flats. Director of Gun Free South Africa Adele Kirsten says as of 2016, the SAPS has recorded that 'Prinsloo's guns' have been used in, at least, over a thousand murders with 187 children being shot by criminals using a 'Prinsloo gun' and 67 minors being killed from those same guns. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Kirsten for further details.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa as the new Minister of Electricity. Speaking to the nation on Monday night, the president said the new minister's primary task will be to significantly reduce the severity and frequency of load shedding as matter of urgency Ramokgopa was working in the presidency before he was appointed minister of electricity. He also served as Mayor of Tshwane from 2010 to 2016. A civil engineer by training, Ramokgopa entered formal politics as a ward councillor for the ANC in Tshwane in 2000. Amina Accram filed this report.

The Police Ministry held a Ministerial Crime Prevention Imbizo in Westbury this morning. Residents had an opportunity to engage with the Minister of Police Bheki Cele , the SAPS and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi. Meanwhile, Police Minister Bheki Cele has deployed a specialised task force to Westbury in Johannesburg for the next 3 months, in an attempt to combat gang violence and the recent increase in crime. This follows a spate of gang related shooting incidents over the last few weeks, which resulted in several people being killed and many more wounded. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Sashin Naidoo

Presenter: Big Joe

Presenter: Big Joe

Several public service institutions have been disrupted as the National Education and Health Workers Union (NEHAWU) has forged ahead with its planned public service strike. The strike comes after the union appealed a court order, obtained by the Department of Public Service and Administration, to interdict the strike action. Public servants are unhappy with government's tabled offer averaging at a pensionable increase of 4.7% for the 2023/24 financial year. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to NEHAWU National Spokesperson, Lwazi Nkolonzi.

The Democratic Alliance says the $580 000 paid in cash to President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm, was not declared to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) in December 2019. DA leader John Steenhuisen filed a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) request with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) in December 2022, after Ramaphosa claimed that he had received US$580 000 from one Hazim Mustafa, a Sudanese national, as payment for cattle as part of a legitimate business transaction. In turn, Mustafa claimed in a media interview that he had complied with the requirement to declare the money to SARS officials at OR Tambo airport upon entering South Africa. Sakina Kamwendo spokes to DA leader John Steenhuisen

Commuters in Johannesburg have been left stranded as Pio-Trans, which operates and manages a wing of Rea Vaya BRT, has run out of fuel. The company, which renders bus services to the City of Johannesburg has parked its busses at its depot. Last Monday drivers downed tools following the non-payment of salaries due to a financial crisis allegedly faced by the company faces. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Johannesburg MMC for Transport, Kenny Kunene.

South Africa is among the countries ranked as having the lowest rate of mental well being in the world. That's according to the Mental Health Million Project's latest world report. However, a new research study by the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) reveals that ongoing load shedding in South Africa has strained residents' mental wellbeing. SABC Specialist Researcher Zandile Myeza reports.

Presenter: Big Joe

Labour Federation, SAFTU has confirmed that it will join the EFF National Shutdown set for the 20th of March. The march is aimed at expressing concern over the rolling blackouts at Eskom, the rising cost of living, unemployment and crime amongst other issues. SAFTU's general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi however warns that their participation in the National Shutdown comes with preconditions. Vavi explains

Police Minister, Bheki Cele, says police must do more to ensure those involved in gang-related violence are arrested. Cele visited the Sophiatown police station in Johannesburg this morning following an escalation of gang violence in the area. The purpose of Cele's visit was to establish the effectiveness of the operational response to the violence, which includes amongst other SAPS units, Crime Intelligence, Public Order Police , Technical Response Team and Anti Gang Unit (AGU). The recent violence erupted after an alleged gang kingpin was killed last week. Cele responded to concerns by community members of police working with gang members

Topic: The alleged rot in our football Presenter: Big Joe

Wits University students in Johannesburg have embarked on a fee-related shutdown protest.Students took to the streets closing the institutions entrances and disrupting the morning traffic. The students are angry over issues over historical debt not being able to register. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter Horisani Sithole

The The Constitutional Court has dismissed President Cyril Ramaphosa's efforts to seek direct access to overturn an independent panel's findings that he may have violated the Constitution and committed money-laundering in connection with the ongoing Phala Phala saga. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to News24 Karyn Maughan.

The much anticipated cabinet reshuffle by President Cyril Ramaphosa seems to be gaining momentum following the resignation of Deputy President David Mabuza as a Member of Parliament. This has been compounded by the imminent swearing in of Finance Minister as a Member of parliament. Godongwana has been one of two non-parliamentary cabinet members as the president is permitted to appoint a maximum of two people to his executive who are not MPs. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Ntebo Mokobo.

Presenter: Big Joe

Some Soweto residents say they are not entirely opposed to the roll-out of pre-paid electricity meters. However, they want them to be linked to a monthly flat rate payment. There has been resistance from residents to the installation of the meters since Eskom introduced them in 2013 to improve revenue collection. Last month Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi proposed that Soweto residents' Eskom debt of 5 billion be written off. SABC senior reporter, Tshepo Phagane filed the following reporter.

Expected rise in strikes, riots and protests are going to test business resilience. This is according to a new report from insurer Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS). The insurer says businesses are increasingly witnessing the impact of protest movements and civil unrest on their operations, a trend that is forecast to grow. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Allianz Head of Property Insurance Ronald Dodo-Tabaziva