SAfm Current Affairs
The Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa, Edward Molopi, says negotiations are ongoing between the City of Johannesburg and evicted traders for a fair trading solution.
The Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa says it is negotiating with the City of Johannesburg and all relevant stakeholders over the removal of informal traders from various parts of the City. This has court proceedings remain delayed at the High Court in Johannesburg. This follows the municipality's clean-up and by-law enforcement drive, which includes a new registration system aimed at regulating more than 20,000 informal traders. As part of the operation, officials have been removing those trading without permits or outside approved areas. For the latest in these negotiation Sakina Kamwendo spoke to advocacy officer at the the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa, Edward Molopi
ANC Gauteng fights back after motion of no-confidence against mayor
The ANC in Gauteng is fighting back after coalition partners filed a motion of no-confidence against Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero. The party says the move is opportunistic and aimed at destabilizing progress. The motion was brought by the UDM, Al Jamah, ATM, and AHC, who cite Morero's alleged interference in administrative processes and failure to implement key decisions. The ANC says it won't be swayed and is standing by the mayor. Elvis Presslin spoke to Mzi Khumalo, ANC Gauteng spokesperson
Gauteng Education department accused of acting unlawfully
The Gauteng Department of Education has been accused of acting unlawfully by announcing late funding cuts for Quintile 5 schools. The Democratic Alliance says the move will cause financial pressure for parents and may lead to significant fee increases. The party is considering legal action to reverse the decision, which it claims is invalid and reckless. The department had previously topped up funding for these schools, creating an expectation that this would continue. Elvis Presslin spoke to Sergio Isa Dos Santos, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education
Hawks Section Head faced tough questions at the Madlanga Commission
Hawks Section Head Brigadier Lesiba Mokoena faced tough questions yesterday over his unit's role in last December's raid on controversial figure Katiso "KT" Molefe's Sandhurst home in Johannesburg. Witnesses at the Madlanga Commission claim the Hawks disrupted the police operation. Mokoena insists the Hawks were there to prevent any impersonation of officers. Elvis Presslin spoke to Security Strategist and retired Interpol Ambassador, Andy Mashaile
Judgement reserved over publication of matric results
The North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has reserved judgment in a case between the Information Regulator and the Department of Basic Education over the publication of matric results. The Regulator is seeking clarity on whether the DBE's method of publishing results complies with the Protection of Personal Information Act. The court heard arguments from both sides and will deliver its judgment at a later date. Elvis Presslin spoke to Nomzamo Zondi, Senior Manager of Communications and Data at the Information Regulator
ActionSA tables the Election Integrity Bill
ActionSA has tabled the Election Integrity Bill, aimed at regulating political opinion polling to protect the integrity of South Africa's electoral democracy. The proposed legislation seeks to prevent the dissemination of unverifiable or manipulated data and ensure transparency in political polling. Currently, South Africa lacks specific laws governing political opinion polling, unlike countries such as Brazil, Canada, France and Italy. The bill aims to amend the Electoral Commission Act and the Electoral Act to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for political opinion polling. Elvis Presslin spoke to MP and ActionSA Parliamentary Chief Whip, Lerato Ngobeni
SAWS dismisses allegations of corruption and governance failure
The South African Weather Service has dismissed allegations of corruption and governance failure as "unfounded" and "misleading". The entity is currently engaged in a wage dispute with a labour union operating within the organisation, which SAWS says is behind some of the claims. The entity's Executive Management is accused of procurement manipulation, financial mismanagement, unchecked executive power and a culture of impunity. Elvis Presslin spoke to the Senior Manager, Communication and Stakeholder Relations at the South African Weather Service, Oupa Segalwe
POPCRU stage sit-in at the Baviaanspoort Correctional Centre in Pretoria
Members of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) are staging a sit-in at the Baviaanspoort Correctional Centre in Pretoria. The action follows the alleged victimisation of union representatives, including the suspension of the POPCRU Chairperson and intimidation of shop stewards. The union is demanding the release of arrested members, an end to intimidation and the reinstatement of its Chairperson. They also want the withdrawal of new shift changes pending proper dispute resolution. Elvis Presslin spoke to POPCRU Spokesperson, Richard Mamabolo
Israeli military ordered to carry out strikes in Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the military to carry out immediate strikes in Gaza, citing a ceasefire violation by Hamas. Netanyahu's office says Hamas returned remains to Israel that did not belong to any of the 13 unaccounted hostages, constituting a "clear violation" of the ceasefire agreement. Elvis Presslin spoke to Naeem Jeenah, Researcher at the Mapungubwe Institute for strategic reflection
DA won't beg for support on motion of no confidence against Premier Panyaza Lesufi
The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng says it will not beg for support in its upcoming motion of no confidence against Premier Panyaza Lesufi. The motion stems from the failed Amapanyaza crime prevention programme in the province, which the DA says was poorly planned and unlawful. Elvis Presslin spoke to DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Community Safety, Crezane Bosch
ArcelorMittal SA ordered to reinstate employees unfairly retrenched
The Labour Court has ruled in favour of workers at ArcelorMittal South Africa, ordering the company to reinstate employees who were unfairly retrenched. The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, NUMSA, took the company to court after ArcelorMittal proceeded with dismissals despite ongoing negotiations with the Industrial Development Corporation to purchase the company. The court has ordered ArcelorMittal to restart consultations with NUMSA and pay workers their salaries for the period they were retrenched. Elvis Presslin spoke to Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, NUMSA National Spokesperson
SERI going to court over removal of informal traders in the City of Johannesburg
The Socio-Economic Right Institute of South Africa (SERI) is taking the City of Johannesburg to court today over the removal of informal traders in parts of the city. In recent weeks, the municipality has implemented its clean-up and by-law enforcement programme as part of reclaiming the city. The initiative has also seen City officials embarking on a new registration system aimed at regulating the more than 20 000 informal traders. This involves the removal of unregistered informal traders operating without authorisation and outside designated areas. Elvis Presslin spoke to Zanele Kanya, Candidate Attorney at SERI
Charges laid against Western Cape officials over false or fake budgets
The GOOD Party has laid criminal charges against Western Cape MECs and senior officials for allegedly tabling falsely balanced provincial budgets ahead of last year's general election. The party claims the MECs presented a rosy picture of the province's finances, only to later declare a R3.8 billion budget shortfall. A dossier of evidence has been submitted to the police and the party says this is the first time in South Africa's history that a government has been caught tabling a false or fake budget. Elvis Presslin spoke to Brett Herron, GOOD Secretary-General and Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament
Calls for justice after the death of cousins in Mamelodi East
NotInMyName International is calling for justice after two cousins, Tshiamo and Baleseng Moramaga were shot dead in Mamelodi East, Tshwane, on Sunday morning. The organisation is demanding a swift and transparent investigation into the brutal murder and is calling for increased police patrols and support for the affected community. This latest incident has reignited concerns about gender-based violence in South Africa, with NotInMyName International condemning the systemic failure to protect women and combat femicide. The organisation is urging the government to declare GBV a national emergency and take decisive action. Elvis Presslin spoke to NotInMyName International Secretary-General, Themba Masango
AFRICA BRIEF with Victor Kgomoeswana
Elvis Presslin takes a look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoeswana, author of "Africa Is Open For Business" and "Africa Bounces Back". Victor is also the Executive Director for Marketing and Communication at the University of Limpopo
Eight former ActionSA JHB councilors heading to court
Eight former ActionSA councillors in Johannesburg are heading to court to challenge their removal from the City council. They claim their dismissal was procedurally flawed and politically motivated. The matter will be heard in the High Court tomorrow (Tuesday). The councillors argue that ActionSA ignored their rights by proceeding with replacement processes despite receiving cease and desist letters. They say the case is about fairness, accountability and democratic procedure. Elvis Presslin spoke to Elmari Atterbury, Spokesperson for the applicants and ActionSA National Chairperson, Michael Beaumont
"Tswa Daar!" campaign to combat substance and alcohol abuse
The Gauteng Provincial Government will today launch "Tswa Daar!", a massive campaign to combat substance and alcohol abuse. The initiative aims to provide support to those affected and their families, while also addressing the root causes of the problem. Multidisciplinary teams will be deployed across the province to offer assistance and a central database will be created to track substance abuse and allocate resources effectively. Elvis Presslin spoke to Gauteng Government Spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga
Activists and Citizens Forum questions lack of arrests in Tembisa scandal
The Activists and Citizens Forum is questioning the lack of arrests in the Tembisa Hospital corruption scandal, despite the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) identifying suspects and confiscating assets. Over R2 billion in corruption has been allegedly stolen at the hospital, with syndicates working with corrupt officials to manipulate the tender system. The Forum is calling on the Investigation Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) to immediately arrest those implicated, including alleged kingpin Hangwani Maumela. Elvis Presslin spoke to Dennis Bloem, Activists and Citizens Forum Spokesperson
NFP loses confidence in KZN Premier
The National Freedom Party says it has lost confidence in KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli. The party is citing financial mismanagement and lack of transparency in the Government of Provincial Unity. The party says the current administration has failed to deliver on its promises, and it's time for a new approach. The NFP suggests allowing the MK Party to take a leading role in future governance, given their strong showing in the recent provincial elections. The party remains committed to supporting a government that prioritizes service delivery, good governance, and transparency. Elvis Presslin spoke to National Freedom Party (NFP) KwaZulu Natal Provincial Deputy Secretary, Zithembe Ngobese
SA removed from the FATF greylisting
South Africa has been removed from the Financial Action Task Force's grey list after a 32-month period. The Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) has welcomed the decision, citing a concerted effort by various role players to address identified deficiencies and implement necessary reforms. The country was placed on the list in February 2023 by the global terror-funding watchdog for failure to detect money laundering and terrorist financing. Elvis Presslin spoke to Waldo Krugell, a Professor of Economics at Northwest University
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