First Take SA

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has expressed shock and disappointment after the arrest of its councilor Muzi Ngiba for the alleged murder of his predecessor. Ngiba was arrested in the eThekwini metro in connection with the murder of late party candidate, Siyabonga Mkhize. Mkhize - together with another party member - was killed ahead of the November municipal elections last year. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to ANC eThekwini spokesperson, Mlondi Mkhize

AgriSA has called on the government to consider all viable options to buffer the cost pressures that impact food prices. This, as the agricultural sector and consumers, face a massive hike in the price of fuel from today (Wednesday). The increases are smaller than feared after Treasury decided to grant an extension of the reduction in the general fuel levy. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Agri SA Chief Executive Christo van der Rheede

On World No Tobacco Day today (31 May 2022), the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) has reiterated its call for the regulation of e-cigarettes through the implementation of the new Control of Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill. The new bill, soon to be presented to Parliament to be passed to amend the existing Tobacco Control Law, focuses on hundred percent smoke-free indoor areas; banning adverts at tills in retail outlets, and regulation of e-cigarettes, among other things. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to National Manager Health Promotion for CANSA, Lorraine Govendor

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the North West province say the decision by the North West Provincial Executive Committee to place eight municipalities under administration due to a serious financial crisis, is a desperate move by the ANC to advance its political interests and take advantage of the plight of the people in the province. The intervention comes a few days after the Auditor-General painted a bleak picture of the state of municipalities in the North West. Elvis Presslin spoke to Political Analyst from North West University, Professor Andre Duwenhage

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...

Trade Union Satawu says Transnet board members should equally be accountable for the paralysis, mismanagement, and maladministration at the freight and logistics utility. This follows the arrest on Friday of former Transnet officials on charges of fraud, corruption, and money laundering. Amongst the officials arrested is the former chief executive Siyabonga Gama. The accused appeared in court and were granted bail. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Satawu Deputy General Secretary Anele Kiet

Scores of Sibanye Stillwater mineworkers camping outside the Union Building in Pretoria say they're optimistic about a breakthrough in the wage negotiations between unions and mine management that are scheduled to resume today. The talks were adjourned on Friday after unions and mine management disagreed on the tabled wage offers. The unions AMCU and the NUM, rejected the offer of R700 in the first year, R1000 in the second, and R900 in the third. The unions are demanding a one-thousand-rand wage demand and a six percent increase. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to NUM PWV Regional Secretary, Bonginkosi Mrasi

Swiss-Anglo Mining Company Glencore has pleaded guilty to a web of bribery and price manipulation charges. Authorities in the United States, Britain and Brazil announced that three of Glencore's subsidiaries were pleading guilty to a range of crimes including market manipulation and bribery related to its conduct in developing countries. The penalties will total about one-point-five-billion- U.S dollars. For more on this, Elvis Presslin  spoke to a professor at the University of Johannesburg Department of Sociology, Prof. Patrick Bond

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) has called on Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana to extend the R1.50 per liter temporary reduction of the general fuel levy beyond 31 May. This is as government deliberates whether to continue with its fuel price relief intervention introduced in March, as the latest data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) shows that consumers could see another huge increase in fuel prices in the coming months. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage

Vaccine hesitancy has decreased slightly from 28% in July 2021 to 25% in November 2021, according to a COVID-19 Democracy Survey by the University of Johannesburg, UJ, and the Human Sciences Research Council, HSRC. The online survey has also revealed support for compulsory workplace vaccinations. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Sibongiseni Dhlomo