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Lotus FM News Break
#PODCAST Case against church elder accused of raping 13-year-old Dobsonville girl, postponed
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - The case of a church elder accused of raping a 13-year-old girl in Dobsonville on Good Friday has been postponed to Wednesday next week. The 56-year-old Dobsonville church elder and ANC branch member appeared briefly in the Roodepoort Magistrates court, west of Johannesburg. Hundreds of people including GBV activists, community members and political party representatives gathered outside court chanting songs and holding placards in support of the victim and her family. SABC reporter, Refilwe Mekoa was at court and brings us an update....
#PODCAST The acclaimed one-woman show "Roti Queen" by Shika Budhoo returns to entertain Durban audiences this April and May #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - The Roti Queen is back! The acclaimed one-woman show by Shika Budhoo returns in April and May running in Umhlanga and Westville, in Durban. The play first premiered at the Red Mango Arts Festival in 2025 with sharp comedy and heartfelt storytelling and is now being published as a play text. Budhoo shares what audiences can expect at the theatre experience... *The Roti Queen runs at the Umhlanga Apart-Hotel on April 26th and at the Westville Theatre Club on May 1st and 2nd
#PODCAST The Colours of Bliss Autism Centre will host its Mini Sports Gala this Saturday in Merebank, south of Durban #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - The Colours of Bliss Autism Centre will host its Mini Sports Gala this Saturday, 18 April, at the Dhubri Road Grounds in Merebank to promote community inclusion through adapted athletics. The event offers free admission for families and features a variety of races and games specifically designed to provide a safe, engaging environment for neurodivergent youth. In today's Medical Monitor, Colours of Bliss fundraising co-ordinator Jeeven Padayachee explains what can be expected this weekend... Key Details: Saturday, 18 April 2026, Dhubri Road Sports Grounds, Merebank. Start Time: 09h00 ENTRY: FREE
#PODCAST Luxmi Stars & the Tamil Advancement Society mark Tamil New Year with a weekend celebration in Chatsworth, south of Durban #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Millions of Tamil speaking Hindu's around the world will observe prayer ushering in the Tamil New Year today. In marking the occasion, entertainment group, Luxmi Stars and the Tamil Advancement Society will host a celebratory event this weekend. The event will take place on Sunday, the 19th of April, at the Umhlatuzana Civic Hall at Chatsworth south of Durban.The event is aimed at paying homage and give thanks to forebears, while promoting the language and culture in South Africa. Manager of Luxmi Stars, Ashley Kisten says guests can expect a star-studded line up... *The event will take place on Sunday, the 19th of April, at the Umhlatuzana Civic Hall in Chatsworth, from 2:30pm.
#PODCAST Social media expert testifies that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's Tweets fuelled the July 2021 Unrest #sabcnews
A social media expert has stuck to her evidence under cross-examination that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's tweets during the 2021 unrest contributed to - and encouraged the violence. Emma Sadleir testified in the trial of former president Jacob Zuma's daughter - who is facing charges of incitement to violence and incitement to sedition. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla has pleaded not guilty. The unrest - that claimed the lives of more than 350 people - broke out shortly after the former president was arrested to serve a sentence for being in contempt of the Constitutional Court. Dries Liebenberg reports...
#PODCAST Five suspects arrested for jewellery store robbery
By Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - Police in KwaZulu-Natal have arrested five suspects following a daring jewellery store robbery at a shopping mall in Umhlanga, north of Durban. The suspects, aged between 20 and 44 years, were tracked to Umlazi, south of Durban after police received intelligence that they were attempting to sell the stolen goods. A coordinated operation by the Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit and the eThekwini District Task Team led to their arrest in the early hours of this morning. Jewellery worth an estimated three million rand, along with other items, have been recovered. According to KZN police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza, the suspects now face charges of business robbery and attempted murder, and are expected to appear in the Durban Magistrate's Court this Wednesday...
#PODCAST The "game changing" HIV prevention injection Lenacapivir will be rolled out to South Africans in under six months #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi says the HIV prevention injectable Lenacapivir will be rolled out to South Africans much earlier than the next six months. This month The Department of Health received the first batch - or 37 thousand 920 doses of Lenacapavir. More is expected soon- as part of the Global Fund's pledge to South Africa of 900-thousand-doses. The medication has been hailed as a gamechanger in the fight against HIV- because a bi-annual injection has an up to 100% efficacy rate to prevent the contraction of HIV. South Africa has one of the largest HIV-positive populations in the world – with an estimated 8.15 million people living with the virus. Dr. Motsoaledi says they have identified 350-thousand high burdened districts in the country that will be the first to receive Lenacapivir...
#PODCAST KZN Public Works MEC Martin Meyer says he'll report on the Havenpark Secondary "depot" debacle this week #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal Martin Meyer says he has received a report looking into Havenpark Secondary School, north Durban allegedly allowing their sports field to be used as a depot of trucks and buses. MEC Meyer visited the school last month saying that it was improper to rent out the school sports field to trucks and buses during school hours. MEC Meyer says he aims to make that report public this week...
#PODCAST KZN Education Department investigate reports of animal remains found at the Glenhaven Secondary in Verulam #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - The Department of Basic Education KwaZulu-Natal is currently investigating the circumstances around animal remains being found at Glenhaven Secondary School in Verulam, north of Durban. It is alleged that a large group of congregants held an Easter celebration on the school premises- leaving the school in a deplorable state. Pictures show animal remains, blood and an infestation of flies swarming classrooms. The incident has put the issue of renting out school property for commercial use under the spotlight. Media Liaison Officer for the Department Mlu Mtshali says they're intervening...
#PODCAST The Democratic Alliance's newly-elected Federal Council Chairperson Ashor Sarupen puts forward his plans for the future of the party #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - The DA's newly elected Federal Council Chairperson Ashor Sarupen says he plans on keeping the legacy of the party alive. Sarupen takes over the reins from Helen Zille- having served as her deputy for the past 6 years. The DA's Federal Council is responsible for party operations and administrative efficiency in this regard. The 37-year-old politician says he's committed to fighting for a better South Africa...
#PODCAST Wellness expert Shayne Fraser-Bierman outlines the key distinctions between Burnout and Stress #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - Fleeting through the day on autopilot? Or maybe you can't even get out of bed? That's a common feeling most people complain about when they seem to have lost their spark. And while most people describe this as stress and burn-out: did you know that there is a huge difference between the two? In this week's Wellness Wakeup Burnout Prevention expert Shayne Fraser-Bierman- known as Wellness Mamma- helps us understand the difference...
#PODCAST Vigilante Justice or Brotherly Love? Advice Desk for the Abused discuss the Sandesh Moothee Ram incident #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - A Durban businessman is set to reappear before the Durban Magistrate's Court on May 15th for the alleged attempted murder of his sister's husband. It's alleged that Sandesh Moothee Ram received that his sister was allegedly being abused by her husband. In response to this, it's alleged that Moothee Ram assaulted the man. Moothee Ram was released on R10 000 (ten-thousand-rand) bail. National Prosecuting Authority in KwaZulu-Natal, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, explains Moothee Ram's bail conditions...Meanwhile, there has been mixed reactions on social media - with sections of society condoning Moothee Ram's actions. Board Member of the Advice Desk for the Abused in Durban, Dr Lubna Nadvi, says this shows the public's frustration with reports of gender-based violence...
Schools urged to do their homework before renting out their facilities #sabcnews
-by Newsbreak's Taresh Harreeparshad. The Department of Basic Education is investigating Glenhaven Secondary School in Verulam, north of Durban- after the school was left in state of chaos. It is alleged that the school premises was rented out for an Easter celebration. But according to community members- an animal was slaughtered at the school. This resulted in animal remains and blood smeared across the classroom. Meanwhile Public Works and Infrastructure MEC in KwaZulu-Natal Martin Meyer is expected to release a report about Havenpark Secondary School, north of Durban, for allegedly turning their sport field into a bus and truck depot. These incidents have opened a critical debate about whether or not schools should lease their property to private entities for commercial use. Take a listen...
#PODCAST ANALYSIS: DA gears up for decisive federal congress
By Newsbreak Producer, Taliesha Naidoo - The Democratic Alliance heads into a pivotal elective congress this weekend, with a leadership shake-up on the cards as long-time figures such as Helen Zille and John Steenhuisen step aside. But it's the emergence of an unexpected challenger that's turning heads - relatively unknown Sibusiso Dyonase has entered the race at the eleventh hour to take on frontrunner and Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. Is this a sign of a more competitive, democratic DA or deeper divisions within the party? We unpack this with independent political commentator - Professor Pieter Duvenage....
#PODCAST Minister Macpherson visits illegally occupied police station in Carletonville
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - The Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has raised concern over abandoned Government properties being illegally occupied and used for criminal activities. The Minister today conducted a visit to an illegally occupied police station in Carletonville as part of a broader government push to reclaim hijacked state properties. The visit forms part of the broader "Operation Bring Back" campaign, aimed at restoring government buildings that have been unlawfully taken over. The affected station is located within the Merafong City Local Municipality, where several state properties are reportedly under illegal occupation. SABC reporter, Culvin Mabasa is there and brings us an update...
#PODCAST Suspects in AKA, Tibz murder case abandon bail application
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - The two brothers linked to the murder of rapper Kiernan "AKA" Forbes and his friend Tebello "Tibz" Motshoane have once again abandoned their bail. The Durban Magistrate's Court was today expected to hear Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande's bail application. During the last proceedings, the brothers informed the court through their legal representatives, that they would now seek bail after previously abandoning their first application. The Ndimande siblings were extradited from Eswatini last year. They were then transferred to the Ebongweni Super Maximum Correctional Facility in Kokstad in January, due to security concerns. They are due back in court next week Friday. SABC reporter, Celumusa Zulu was at court and brings us an update....
#PODCAST Newsbreak Fishing Report - 10 April 2026 #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Cast away with this week's Newsbreak Fishing Report, brought to you by KZN angler Sanjay Ramsarup...
#PODCAST eThekwini Ratepayers Protest Movement threaten mass action in contestation of proposed municipal tariff increases #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Civil society group, the eThekwini Ratepayers Protest Movement (ERPM) are threatening mass action in contestation to the proposed 2026/2027 tariff increases. Mayor Cyril Xaba in his recent Draft Budget Policy Statement announced a proposed electricity tariff increase of 10-point-5 percent for business and residential consumers. The proposed Water tariff increase is 16 percent for business and 15 percent for residential. The proposed sanitation tariff increase is 14 percent for business and 13 percent for residential, while the proposed tariff increase for refuse is 13 percent for residential consumers. Following a mass meeting held earlier this week, concerned residents and organisations expressed frustration toward the proposed increases, calling it unaffordable amid a climate of poor service delivery. Chairperson of the Movement, Asad Gaffar explains the options put forward by residents in taking this matter forward...
#PODCAST No More Excuses: UP experts slam state neglect, as millions face a "water justice" crisis #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Experts from the University of Pretoria are warning that South Africa's water crisis is a failure of water justice, as millions remain without safe and reliable access. This crisis is particularly acute in KwaZulu-Natal, where major hubs like eThekwini and Msunduzi face critical wastewater collapses and ongoing water curtailments due to neglected infrastructure. Postdoctoral fellow Dr. Olayinka Adeniyi stresses that the state must stop offering justifications and instead treat these persistent service failures as a direct violation of human rights...
#PODCAST Pressure mounts as civil society groups call for the release of the National Register for Sex Offenders #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - Pressure is mounting on the South African justice system as civil society groups are calling for the release of the National Register for Sex Offenders. Civil rights organisation - Action Society has launched a national campaign demanding the immediate publication of the register to help protect women and children. Last year, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi said efforts were under way to ensure the NRSO would be accessible to the public. Juanita du Preez, the national spokesperson for Action Society says despite this, the register remains inaccessible to the public, putting vulnerable lives at risk...
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