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South African rescue specialists on the ground in Mozambique
The University of Johannesburg's rescue specialists are on the ground in Mozambique, responding to severe flooding that's left over 100 people dead and 173,000 affected. The team, led by Mr. Connor Hartnady, includes experts in swift water and aviation rescue and is working with Rescue South Africa and the Nelson Mandela University to provide critical support. The deployment comes after a request for assistance from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Elvis Presslin spoke to Aidan Justus; CEO of Rescue SA, whose rescue members are currently in Mozambique
Manhunt underway for suspects linked to deadly shooting in Atteridgeville
Gauteng police are on a manhunt for suspects linked to a deadly shooting that killed five men in Jeffsville, Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria. Elvis Presslin spoke to Atteridgeville community leader of the Pheli Joint Civic Movement, Elias Makgwadi
COSATU protests and pickets in solidarity with Venezuela
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is standing in solidarity with Venezuela, condemning US aggression and calling for global action against imperialism and racism. The union is organizing protests and pickets, including an international action day this morning and a march in Sandton on Saturday. Elvis Presslin spoke to COSATU's 1st Deputy President, Mike Shingange
Tense stand-off erupts at Addington Primary School in Durban
A tense stand-off erupted once again between anti-illegal immigration protesters and foreign nationals at Addington Primary School in Durban yesterday. A group of March and March, Operation Dudula and MK Party supporters resumed their demonstration at the school over the enrolment of foreign nationals. They are demanding that learners who are South African citizens be prioritised for admission at all schools. Elvis Presslin spoke to Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia, spokesperson Dr. Dale McKinley
Government's spending priorities under fire
The government's spending priorities are under fire after allocating R3.7 billion for VIP protection, more than the R2.4 billion budget for the Hawks. ActionSA says the move shows leaders are out of touch, with ministers and deputies also getting a 3.8% salary boost and spending over R500 million on travel in 18 months. ActionSA has slammed the government, saying "people before perks" is being ignored. Elvis Presslin spoke to ActionSA Member of Parliament, Alan Beesley
Mayor calls for SANDF deployment against overwhelming Zama Zamas.
Frustrated residents of the Seporong Informal Settlement in Randfontein say they are living in fear, claiming they are being terrorised by illegal miners. They allege that police are giving them the runaround despite reports being made. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Rand West City Local Municipality's Executive Mayor, William Matsheke
CRL Chair details Xulu's resignation amid complaints.
CRL Rights Commission Chairperson Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva says complaints against Professor Musa Xulu surfaced at the end of October, with committee members accusing him of autocratic conduct and disruptive behaviour. She says she intervened, shut down a contentious WhatsApp group, and confronted Xulu directly. While he later reaffirmed support for self-regulation, concerns escalated over unauthorized draft documents using the CRL letterhead. Mkhwanazi-Xaluva says this caused public confusion, ultimately leading to Xulu's resignation as Section 22 chairperson. The CRL Rights Commission and the Section 22 Ad Hoc Committee for the Christian Sector were briefing the media in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. Updating the public on the status and significant matters related to the Section 22 Ad Hoc Committee's work, as well as the programs undertaken by the Commission in discharging its mandate. The briefing also addressed several issues surrounding the resignation of Reverend Professor Musa Xulu, who has since stepped down as the chairperson of Section Committee 22, established to probe abuses within the Christian Sector at the CRL Rights Commission.
ANC takes its Back to School programme to KwaZulu-Natal
The ANC is taking its Back to School programme to KwaZulu-Natal this week, with NEC member Dr. Zweli Mkhize leading the charge. The two-day event kicks off today, with visits to four high schools and meetings with religious leaders and the South African Democratic Teachers Union. The initiative aims to address educational challenges and provide support to learners in the province. Elvis Presslin spoke to ANC NEC member Dr. Zweli Mkhize to elaborate further on the programme's goals and expected outcomes
MK Party Takes ANC to SCOPA Over Alleged Misuse of Public Funds
The MK Party has taken the ANC to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, SCOPA accusing the party of misusing public funds for a January 8th event in Bloemfontein. The event, branded as a heritage programme, reportedly featured ANC regalia and messaging with state-funded transport and logistics across 51 wards. The party claims this is a violation of constitutional principles and has called for an urgent investigation. Elvis Presslin spoke to MK Party MP and SCOPA Member, Kwenza Madlala
Two Killed, Three Injured in Shooting at Booysens Magistrates' Court in Johannesburg
Two people are dead and three others injured after a shooting incident at the Booysens Magistrates' Court in Johannesburg yesterday. The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development has condemned the incident and is working with law enforcement to ensure safety measures are in place. The circumstances surrounding the shooting are unclear. Elvis Presslin spoke to Deputy Justice and Constitutional Development Minister, Andries Nel
COSATU welcomes Gazette Empowering Inspectors to Enforce Pension Compliance
The Congress of South African Trade Unions, COSATU has welcomed a new gazette empowering labour inspectors to enforce pension fund payment compliance. The move targets employers who deduct contributions from workers' salaries but fail to pay them, with over 15,000 employers defaulting last year, affecting 600,000 workers. The security sector, municipalities and automotive industry are key offenders, with R7.26 billion in outstanding contributions. Elvis Presslin spoke to COSATU Spokesperson Zanele Sabela
JP Smith seeks investigative powers to fight extortion and shootings.
Cape Town is grappling with a surge in violent shootings. As of today, six people were gunned down in separate incidents four killed in Maitland and two shot dead in Kensington. This follows a weekend tavern attack in Philippi East that claimed eight lives. MMC for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says the city has long sought investigative powers to better tackle extortion, kidnappings, and firearm crimes, highlighting frustration over the ongoing violence. MMC for Safety and Security, JP Smith Reacts.
El Shaddai Christian School mourns four learners in fatal Vanderbijlpark crash.
The El Shaddai Christian School in the Vaal will today hold a prayer service for the 12 learners who lost their lives in yesterday’s scholar transport crash. 12 children died in the scholar transport crash in the Vaal on Monday, with one child still unidentified. The department of education in Gauteng says preliminary investigations into the cause of the scholar transport crash in Vanderbijlpark indicate that the driver was attempting to overtake multiple vehicles when a head-on collision with a truck occurred. SABC reporter Sashin Naidoo spoke to the director of El Shaddai Christian School, Selloane Setai.
Police arrest 22-year-old driver for Vanderbijlpark scholar crash killing 12.
The police have arrested the 22-year-old scholar transport driver who was involved in an accident that claimed the lives of 12 learners in Vanderbijlpark on Monday. Police say the driver was arrested after he was discharged from the hospital. He is expected to appear before Vanderbijlpark Magistrates' Court within 48 hours, facing charges of twelve counts of culpable homicide and reckless and negligent driving. Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo explains.
RISE Mzansi mourns loss of learners in Vanderbijlpark crash
RISE Mzansi is mourning the loss of learners in a devastating crash in Vanderbijlpark, Johannesburg. The party is calling for improved road safety measures, including regular stats updates to Parliament and a clampdown on unroadworthy vehicles. The Department of Transport recently reported a 5% reduction in road deaths but RISE Mzansi says more needs to be done. Elvis Presslin spoke to RISE Mzansi Chief Organiser and National Assembly Whip and MP, Makashule Gana...
Backlash over removal of artwork from the Venice Biennale
The South African government is facing backlash over the removal of an artwork from the Venice Biennale. Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie pulled Gabrielle Goliath's Elegy, citing "division", but critics say it's a clear case of state censorship. The artwork, a ritualised practice of mourning, tackles femicide, sexual violence and patriarchal systems. McKenzie's move has sparked outrage, with the DA condemning the action and calling for his accountability. Human rights activist, Academic and Multidisciplinary artist, Tauriq Jenkins says the decision is a "profound and shameful indictment" of the minister and his department". He spoke to Elvis Presslin
Driver negligence blamed for killing of 14 learners
The Greater Gauteng Learner Transport Organisation has pinned the blame for the Vanderbijlpark accident, In Vaal which killed 14 learners, on the driver's negligence. The Organisation's General Secretary Sibongile Maseko says the driver had proper documentation but failed to ensure safety. She spoke to our Senior producer Ronald Phiri, expressing her sorrow and that they're working with authorities to improve scholar transport safety.
Grieving mother speaks on the Vanderbijlpark crash
Parents of the 14 learners killed in a tragic taxi scholar transport accident in Vanderbijlpark say they are still waiting for a visit from the owner of the taxi and the taxi organisation. Elvis Presslin spoke to Mmaki Josephine Mokhobo, a grieving mother who lost her daughter in the tragic scholar transport accident.
Gauteng pledges stricter rules after fatal collision.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his sadness at the loss of life in a collision involving a scholar transport vehicle this morning. This as chaotic scenes are unfolding in Vanderbijlpark in Golden highway, where distraught parents are demanding access to the scene of a deadly scholar transport crash. Families are pleading to see the bodies of their children who died when a minibus taxi collided with a truck earlier this morning. 13 learners were killed on impact, while five others sustained critical injuries and were rushed to the hospital. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Gauteng education department spokesperson Steve Mabona
Urgent fixes demanded for unsafe scholar transport.
The South African Human Rights Commission has flagged deep-rooted failures in the scholar transport system, warning that overloaded and unroadworthy vehicles are putting learners at risk. The Commission has given provincial authorities 60 days to report on corrective action and 90 days to implement consequence management against officials accused of poor oversight. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the provincial manager of the South African Human Rights Commission in the North West, Shirley Mlombo.
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