First Take SA

Rifles, pistols and rounds of ammunition are some of the valuables that got stolen when three men robbed a police station in the Northern Cape Province this past weekend. The suspects reportedly pointed a gun at a female police officer who was alone when the incident happened.  Police union POPCRU has condemned the incident, raising concerns about the recent spate of robberies at police stations in some parts of the country. The union says similar incidents have recently taken place in Mpumalanga and Eastern Cape provinces. POPCRU spokesperson, Richard Mamabolo tells us more...

There are mixed reactions to a decision by cabinet to dissolve five North West municipalities. The five are among 45 others countrywide that the government has resolved to dissolve.  The ailing Ratlou Local Municipality in Setlagole just outside Mahikeng is one entity facing dissolution. The municipality is reportedly marred by allegations of corruption, fraud and political squabbles. Prof Andre Duvenage from the School of Business at North West University interrogates whether the intervention by government is what is needed in order to mitigate the serious challenges faced by ailing municipalities...

To help us understand why a state-owned enterprise such as Transnet could be a target of cyber-attacks, here is Dr Jaco du Toit, the deputy director at the Centre for Cyber Security at the University of Johannesburg....

South Africa's citrus fruit sector is facing more losses as state-owned Transnet continues to battle a cyber-attack that has caused major backlogs at all the country's port terminals.  Transnet says their systems will be brought back in a staggered manner to minimize any further risks and interruptions. It is expected that some applications may continue to run slowly over the next few days. The citrus industry has been negatively affected and is now facing another major blow after the recent unrest in parts of the country following the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma. CEO of the Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa  Justin Chadwick...

Schooling in Kwazulu Natal, especially in Phoenix got off to a slow start this week as parents have been reluctant to send their children back to the classroom. SADTU's provincial secretary Nomarashiya Caluza has called on learners to get back to class and be agents of social cohesion and tolerance in their communities...

Civic groups which have mobilised themselves under the banner 'Justice For Phoenix Massacre Victims' are expected to march to the Durban City Hall in KwaZulu-Natal. They are calling for the establishment of a commission of inquiry into the deaths of more than 20 people in Phoenix, north of Durban. Some bodies are yet to be identified at a Phoenix mortuary and over 120 people were killed in KZN during the unrest and looting that took place two weeks ago. The Convenor of the Justice For Phoenix Massacre Victims', says there is a need for reparations to be paid to families that lost their loved loved ones in Phoenix. Convenor of the group marching to the Durban City Hall, Jackie Shandu...

The funeral and burial industry has raised concerns about the high number of people that gather at funerals, calling for greater regulation of funeral events. This as the industry continues to struggle with securing coffins for burial and space for corpses at mortuaries. The health department has recorded between 200 and 400 COVID-19 related deaths over the last 48-hour period bringing the total number of deaths since the national lockdown to over 70-thousand nationally. Deputy President of the National Funeral Directors Association, Dr. Lawrence Konyana says families that have been hit by Covid-19 deaths in quick succession are opting to hold a single funeral service for multiple relatives... 

The Road Freight Association has raised concerns about ships starting to bypass South African ports. Transnet says significant progress has been made to restore its IT systems after a cyber-attack last week. Transnet declared force majeure as the IT breach crippled its port operations. Group Manager for Corporate Affairs at Transnet, Ayanda Shezi, says it is expected that some applications may continue to run slowly over the next few days, while monitoring continues. Road Freight Association CEO Gavin Kelly....

A peace accord between the two Western Cape warring taxi associations, CODETA and CATA could soon be signed. This follows separate meetings with the two associations, facilitated by the United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader, General Bantu Holomisa and the general secretary of the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU), Zwelinzima Vavi in an effort to find a solution to the  violence that has already claimed 24 lives.  A document, which includes a list of concerns highlighted by the associations, has been sent to government for consideration. For more on this we are joined on the line by UDM leader, General Bantu Holomisa 

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union has rejected government's wage offer of 1.5 percent pay progression hike and monthly cash allowances of over a thousand rands for public servants. The new wage agreement was signed by the majority of unions represented in the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council on Monday with Public Service and Administration Minister, Senzo Mchunu describing the wage negotiations as the most difficult to date. Other unions which have yet to sign on the wage agreement include NEHAWU and SAPU, prompting concerns of possible strike action. POPCRU spokesperson, Richard Mamabolo...