First Take SA

The fate of Cyril Ramaphosa as President lies in the hands of the ANC - As the party's National Executive Committee will deliberate over the Phala Phala report today. The ANC NEC will discuss the section 89 independent panel's report that found Ramaphosa may have a case to answer regarding the theft on his Phala Phala farm, in Limpopo. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Fikile Vilakazi, Political analyst and lecturer in Public Policy and Political Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, UKZN

President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed he will challenge the section 89 panel report in the Constitutional Court - according to reports. Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says the President was seriously considering taking the report on legal review. The section 89 panel report found Ramaphosa may have a case to answer regarding his Phala-Phala Farm robbery in 2020. Magwenya says the president believes the report is flawed and needs to be taken for a legal review. For some legal analysis, Elvis Presslin spoke to Advocate Romeo Nthambeleni 

The South African Democratic Teachers' Union (SADTU) has called for a full investigation into the conduct of two members of the Phala Phala panel. SADTU says it will lodge a formal complaint with the Judicial Services Commission against Justices Sandile Ngcobo and Thokozile Masipa. The union says the panel made findings based on hearsay evidence in circumstances where the evidence is wholly inadmissible. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to SADTU General Secretary, Mugwena Maluleke

The search for missing church members who were swept away in the Jukskei River continues today. 14 people drowned during a baptism ceremony when they were caught by flash floods. Several church members are still missing. For the latest on the search, Elvis Presslin spoke to Johannesburg Emergency Services Spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi

Domestic workers will soon be able to claim compensation for work injuries or diseases as a result of labour - If President Cyril Ramaphosa signs into law the compensation bill. Prior to the bill, domestic workers were excluded from occupational monetary benefits until the Constitutional Court ruled in 2020 that a section of the Compensation Act was invalid. To further discuss this Elvis Presslin spoke to the organizer for the South African Domestic Service and Allied Workers Union, Gloria Kente

The National Executive Committee of the ANC is now scheduled to hold a special meeting today. The virtual meeting was meant to take place yesterday to deal with the Phala-Phala Farm saga surrounding President Cyril Ramaphosa. The NEC is set to discuss the Section 89 Panel Report, handed to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. To further discuss this Elvis Presslin spoke to Governance Specialist and Political Analyst, Sandile Swana

Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says the decision President Cyril Ramaphosa makes has to be informed by the best interests of the country. This follows the release of a scathing Phala Phala panel report that found Ramaphosa had a case to answer for the 2020 burglary at his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo. Ramaphosa did not address the nation last night, contrary to previous expectations. Instead - His spokesperson Magwenya told members of the media an announcement by the President on the report is imminent. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Wouter Wessels, National Head of Elections and Strategy for the Freedom Front Plus, and Mxolisi Makhubu, Communication manager for the African Transformation Movement's (ATM)...

Business Unity South Africa, BUSA says the country cannot afford further erosion of confidence and instability following the release of the scathing Phala Phala report against President Cyril Ramaphosa. The report compiled by the Section 89 panel states there's prima facie evidence that Ramaphosa may have acted inconsistently with his oath of office. BUSA has called on leaders to be statesmanlike during this time of uncertainty and avoid actions and narrative or rhetoric that is harmful to the country. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Hugo Pienaar, Chief Economist at the Bureau for Economic Research

Time to take 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

Janusz Walus, the killer of former SACP General Secretary Chris Hani, will officially be a free man today. The Polish immigrant Janusz Waluś, convicted for the 1993 murder of Hani, was stabbed in prison, on the eve of his release on parole. Last week the Constitutional Court set aside Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola's March 2020 decision to refuse Walus parole, ordering his release within 10 days. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Golden Miles Bhudu, spokesperson for the South African Prisoners Organisation for Human Rights.