First Take SA

Zimbabwean small scale gold miner has filed multiple international legal actions to reclaim swathes of Mashonaland East based lithium. The communications authority in Kenya has extended the SIM card registration by another six monthsThe Standard Chartered Bank announces moves to completely exit some markets in Africa and Middle East. Africa Brief with Victor Kgomoeasoana....

KwaZulu-Natal has been declared a disaster area. Several areas have been affected by inclement weather conditions that have claimed the lives of more than 200 people. President Cyril Ramaphosa has visited the province. Elvis Presslin spoke to Senzelwe Mzila, the spokesperson for the COGTA MEC of the province Sipho Hlomuka...

Close to 300 girls were married before turning 18 in the past years, according to Home Affairs. The figures have prompted Justice Minister Ronald Lamola to put in place legislation to outlaw ukuthwala. Ukuthwala is a practice where young girls are abducted against their will to pressure a bride's family into endorsing a marriage. For more on the legislation, Elvis Presslin spoke to Chrispin Phiri, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services

The Lebombo Border Post between Mozambique and South Africa will now operate 24 hours a day. Authorities of both countries made the announcement of their bilateral agreement in Ressano Garcia, Mozambique. The Border Management Authority believes that the agreement will boost the economies of both countries. Mthobisi Mkaliphi reports....

National traffic officials and other law enforcement agencies have urged motorists to adhere to all safety rules as major freeways are expected to be under strain this Easter weekend. This morning, holidaymakers are expected to be traveling on the N1 to Polokwane, N3 to KwaZulu-Natal, and  N4 to Mpumalanga, among other destinations. Last year, the department of transport recorded 189 crashes, resulting in 235 fatalities nationwide, between 2 April and 5 April. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Road Traffic Management Corporation spokesperson Simon Zwane

"We are now facing a perfect storm that threatens to devastate the economies of developing countries." So says the United Nations Secretary General at the launch of a brief on the impact of the war in Ukraine on food, energy and finance systems globally - an initiative of a Global Crisis Response Group established by the UN Chief in March led by his deputy Amina Mohammed. The war has resulted in disrupted supply chains and rising prices for food, fuel and fertilizer. The UN has called for member states and international financial institutions to make reserves available to countries at risk of hunger and famine, avoid protectionism while ensuring that humanitarian appeals are fully funded- warning that Africa is being particularly affected by the spillover effects of the war. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports....

Parliament's joint committee on ethics and members' interests has cleared former Health Minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize of contravening its Code of Ethics for allegedly benefitting from the irregular Digital Vibes tender. The Executive Ethics Committee found that Mkhize did not breach the ethics code by not disclosing the benefit he received from Digital Vibes. Elvis Presslins spoke to the DA's Deputy Chief Whip Siviwe Gwarube who brought the matter before parliament.

Once again, President Cyril Ramaphosa's message of anti-corruption and renewal is being tested. Despite having adopted the step-aside rule which bars party members facing serious criminal charges from position of leadership, the ANC in Mpumalanga has elected murder accused Mandla Msibi as Treasurer while in Kwa Zulu-Natal Zandile Gumede is elected eThekwini Regional Chairperson. Our Political Correspondent Ntebo Mokobo investigates the shortcomings of the ANC step-aside rule and how serious is the governing party taking the loopholes of this conference resolution.

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Co-operative Governance has confirmed that over 50 people have lost their lives in torrential rains and floods in the province. It is not yet clear how many people remain missing after heavy rains swept away cars and people crossing bridges in low-lying areas. In a statement, Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Doctor Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma says provincial and local disaster teams across the country are on alert. For a look at how the infrastructure of the province has been crumbling due to the heavy downpours, Elvis Presslin spoke to Town Planning expert at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Dr. Hope Hangwelani

The eThekwini Municipality has been identified as among the hardest hit by the floods. eThekwini mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda says at this stage they are unable to quantify the extent of the damage caused by the heavy rains. He held a virtual media briefing, where he revealed that a number of power stations had been severely affected by the storms. Nonkululeko Hlophe filed this report...