First Take SA

Maritime experts have called for greater protection and control of Mozambique's ocean territories, especially in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. This follows reports that at least six people - three villagers and three fishermen - were beheaded by suspected militants. Radicals linked to the Islamic State have been terrorizing the northern parts of Mozambique for a while, recently attacking and killing 50 people at the town of Palma in March earlier this year. The Rwandan military, together with troops from SADeC have been assisting the Mozambican army with fighting the insurgents. For an analysis of this and what needs to change on the fight against the militants. We spoke to Professor Francois Vrey from the Security Institute for Governance and Leadership in Africa at Stellenbosch University... 

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) says officials of the Department of Health as well as former Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize, flouted the law in awarding contracts to a company linked to Mkhize's associates. The SIU says it has recommended that the department take disciplinary action against officials implicated in the matter. SIU Head Andy Mothibi has told Scopa that the unit has also referred other cases to the NPA for prosecution. This relates to contracts awarded by the department to Digital Vibes to provide communication services to the department.

US soldiers have destroyed most of the heavy military equipment it was forced to leave behind at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan. This follows the final exit of US soldiers from the country following the force take over by the Taliban. The Taliban group has meanwhile vowed to fix the demilitarized weaponry and appealed to foreign and domestic investors to work with it in rebuilding the country's economy. It still remains unclear what form of rule the Taliban will use as tensions rise over the the rights of women and children amongst other issues. For more on the final withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan.  We spoke to military expert and Professor of Strategic Studies at Stellenbonsch University, Abel Esterhyse

COPE: Presidency's disciplinary process against Diko is 'whitewash'

The Presidency has confirmed that suspended Presidential spokesperson, Khusela Diko, will not be returning to her position but to a different position in the Public Service. The Presidency says it has completed a disciplinary process against Diko which concluded that she failed to disclose her interests in certain companies as required by public service regulations on the disclosure of financial interests. Diko has been served with a written warning for this offence. This after reports that the Gauteng Health Department awarded Diko's husband, the late AmaBhaca chief Thandisizwe Diko, tenders to the tune of 125-million rand to supply the PPE.  Opposition party COPE has dismissed the disciplinary process against Diko as a 'whitewash'. We spoke to COPE’s spokesperson Dennis

While the EFF has opposed the move, the leader of the United Democratic Movement, Bantu Holomisa, has announced that his party will join the ANC, as it approaches the Electoral  Court asking for the re-opening of the registration of election candidates for a day. The governing party says it couldn't register some of its candidates for the upcoming local elections due to problems beyond its control. All political parties had until 9 pm on Monday to submit their candidate lists for the upcoming Local Government Elections to the IEC. Holomisa says the IEC's timetable was unrealistic to start with and his objections on the matter fell on deaf ears... 

Victor Kgomoesoana, Director at "Africa Is Open For Business" who has also authored a new book "Africa Bounces Back", looks at this week's top African economic stories......

** Kenya and Tanzania sets December deadline to remove trade barriers

** American company to buy all processed Cashewnuts in Tanzania

** Globacom launches TV streaming service to boost customer experience

South African National Defence Union has written to the Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise requesting that she immediately provide starving soldiers who were deployed in KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng, with food or it will take the necessary action. This, as the soldiers have complained about the lack of food allowances since their deployment in response to the unrest last month. South African National Defence Force authorities have admitted that there had been issues with meal allowances, but claim they have since been attended to. South African National Defence Union (SANDU) Secretary-General, Advocate Pikkie Greef elaborates on some of the issues.....

South African Airways flight tickets go on sale from today (26 August 2021). The airline yesterday announced that it will resume operations on the 23rd of September. Interim CEO Thomas Kgokolo says they will start operating flights from Johannesburg to Cape Town, Accra, Kinshasa, Harare, Lusaka and Maputo. Kgokolo says the aviation sector is currently going through a testing period and that the airline, under new management, is aware of the challenges that lie ahead. For some analysis on this here is Editor and Publisher of SA Flyer Magazine Guy Leitch...

Traditional leaders, working together with health experts, have encouraged rural communities to come forward and get vaccinated. This as psychologists have noted that vaccine hesitancy stems from several factors which include, lack of information as well as group thinking influence. The World Health Organization says vaccine hesitancy is one of the main challenges to containing and combating the fight against COVID-19.  According to the Health Department, more than five million people in South Africa have been fully vaccinated, so far and this number needs to be improved especially in rural communities. Contralesa president, Chief Lermock Mokoena takes a look at the hesitancy....

The governing party's financial woes are continuing to impact employees as salary payments have once again been delayed. The African National Congress informed its staff that it will delay paying August salaries, which were due yesterday (WEDNESDAY). This, as July payments, are also still outstanding. ANC employees have been on a go-slow since last month as a result of late salary payments. For more on this chairperson of the ANC staff representative committee, Mvusi Mdala...