First Take SA

Tripartite alliance partners, Cosatu and the SACP are opposed to President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent proposal for the privatisation of some main train routes in the country. It's reported that the proposal forms part of Ramaphosa's new economic recovery plan presented in Parliament last Thursday. The proposal primarily focuses on routes in Gauteng and the Western Cape. The ANC's alliance partners say the proposal will marginalise the poor and the working class.

The Special Investigations Unit wants Parliament to create laws that will prevent officials who are under investigation, from moving from one government department to another, without ever being held accountable. The SIU, alongside the Hawks and National Prosecuting Authority, appe

The fight over retrenchments at the SABC continues to rage. This time, the management and worker representatives have given parliament differing versions of where the negotiations are at. The unions have accused the corporation of negotiating in bad faith, while the SABC says it has gone beyond what is required to accommodate the employees.

Former Transnet Board chairperson, Mafika Mkwanazi has conceded that the then Transnet board's decision to award former Transnet CEO Siyabonga Gama R17 million in back pay and legal costs - after a disciplinary process found him guilty of misconduct - was indefensible. The State Capture Commission of Inquiry heard that Transnet paid Gama the legal costs which Gama should have paid to the company following a high court ruling to that effect. Makhwanazi testified before the commission via audio link.

Union BEMAWU is threatening legal action at the Labour Court against the SABC should it proceed with its retrenchments without further consultation. The public broadcaster YESTERDAY announced that according to the Labour Relations Act, it is now at liberty to unilaterally implement contemplated retrenchments after failed talks facilitated by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration - the CCMA. As many as 600 full time staff could be retrenched. However the SABC says it will afford the consulting parties one last chance to make a written submission regarding proposals about the organizational structure or alternatives.

The SABC says according to the Labour Relations Act, it is now at liberty to unilaterally implement the contemplated retrenchments after failed talks facilitated by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration - the CCMA. The public broadcaster has been in consultation with workers' representatives over the past four months over its plans to retrench around 600 full time employees.

ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule has warned the Hawks against acting irresponsibly, with what he calls, Hollywood style arrests. Magashule says they locked horns with the Scorpions for such behaviour, but says it seems as if the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation has adopted the same methods. The ANC Secretary General - who is reported to be on the radar of law enforcement agencies - says he will continue with his party duties, until the Hawks visit him.

This year marks the 43rd anniversary of the death of Black Consciousness Movement leader, Steve Biko. Decades after his demise, his ideas still resonate with millions across the globe. Biko's arrest and death on the 12th of September 1977 sparked a huge outcry. A month later, Black Wednesday happened. Eight organisations linked to the Black Consciousness movement and three newspapers were banned by the apartheid government. A move to silence critics and hide the truth.

The intended beneficiaries of the corruption-tainted Estina dairy farm project in the Free State want to be compensated. The more than 250 million rand project is fully operational, but the would-be beneficiaries have been sidelined.

Agri South Africa has urged farmers and the community to act within the confines of the law during the court case of two murder accused in the Senekal Magistrate Court today. The call follows threats of more chaos by farming community should the two accused get bail. Sekwetje Mahlamba and Sekola Matlaletsa are expected to apply for bail following their arrest two weeks ago. They are accused of the murder of farm manager Brendin Horner. Horner's body was found tied to a pole with a rope in an open space on the De Rots farm two weeks ago.