First Take SA

Economists estimate that the ongoing strike action by Transnet employees is costing South Africa billions of Rands, also warning that it could have a wider negative impact in that countries can lose confidence in ordering goods from South Africa. Concerns have been raised over the timing of this strike, as the country battles inflation and load shedding and the recent announcement from the International Monetary Fund downgrading its outlook for the country's economic growth for this year. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to the head of logistics at Investec for Business, Denys Hobson

Time to take a look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoesoana, 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.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says he has received the amended version of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture Report, which incorporates corrections made by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, who chaired the Commission. The release follows the granting of permission by the Pretoria High Court on the 4th of October 2022, to allow Zondo to make corrections to the final volume of the report which was submitted to the Presidency in June this year. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Professor Sethulego Matebesi, a political analyst from the University of Free State

South Africa's economy is facing yet another setback as several labor unions from various sectors have declared wage disputes with employers. Workers at Transnet have embarked on a nationwide strike, which has impacted the port of Durban, the largest and busiest port in sub-Saharan Africa. This is as other unions, including the Public Servants Association ( PSA) and the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu)  have announced their plans for industrial action in the public service, after their members rejected the government's wage offer. For some analysis on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to political analyst Dr. Ebrahim Harvey

Public protector spokesperson Oupa Segalwe has resigned from the position. The office of the Public Protector announced Segalwe's departure after 13 years of service. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Oupa Segalwe 

Wage negotiations between trade unions at Transnet and management are expected to continue today. This is as the parties seek to find solutions to the current wage impasse that has resulted in a nationwide strike. Both the United National Transport Union (Untu) and the SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) have rejected Transnet's latest offer of a 4 to 5 percent salary increase. They are calling for an above-inflation wage increase of 12 to 13 percent. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to UNTU president, Steven Leshabane 

The Special Tribunal will today hear arguments in the application to review and set aside an R6.7 million lease agreement entered into between SABC and Rybak Properties in 2016. The application relates to the office accommodation of the SABC's Mpumalanga Office. The SABC is seeking to recover all the monies paid by Rybak. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Advocate Selby Makgotho, Spokesperson for the Special Tribunal.

Half of Durban was without power following a massive explosion at Klaarwater substation last night. The substation is a key supply point to the city from Eskom. Many areas around Durban have been affected by the power outage. For the latest, Elvis Presslin spoke to SABC senior reporter in KZN Fanele Mhlongo

Action SA will today lay criminal charges of bribery against senior leaders of the Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu Natal. The party claims the DA convened a meeting with one of its councillors from Newcastle, Shandy Singh to reportedly convince him to switch parties to fill the position left by Zwakele Mncwango - who recently resigned. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to ActionSA's National Chairperson Michael Beaumont.

Police Minister Bheki Cele will today visit the North West following the arrest of twenty illegal miners at a shaft in Stilfontein. The suspects were arrested yesterday during a multi-disciplinary operation between various law enforcement agencies. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Hawks Spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale