First Take SA

HAWKS' captain Lloyd Ramovha says fifty thousand rands per child was the ransom demanded by the kidnappers of three teenagers of Ethiopian origin over the weekend. The five suspects were arrested by the HAWKS around Brixton and Mayfair areas in Johannesburg YESTERDAY (thursday). The parents of the teenagers had reportedly been contacted with ransom demands.

COSATU and its affiliate the South African Society of Banking Officials has encouraged workers in the banking sector to report for work today. This follows yesterday's decision by the Labour Court's to interdict their protest that was planned for this morning. COSATU's deputy secretary-general Solly Phetoe says they are now seeking leave to appeal the ruling. He says the union will also resubmit a section 77 notice to the National Economic Development Labour Council (NEDLAC

The Department of Basic Education is working on formalising Grade 9 as one of the exit points of schooling. That means learners will be able to finish school at Grade 9 and attain The General Education Certificate. This has been revealed by the minster of Basic Education, Angie Motshega at SADTU's elective conference held in Nazrec, Johannesburg. Ditaba Tsotetsi reports

Banking union; The South African Society of Bank Officials says they are redy to embark on a nationwide strike this Friday by banking employees. Around 40-thousand members are expected to take part in the strike - which is against the retrenchment of workers and digitalisation of banking systems. SASBO says the union will ensure that ATM's and banking operations are not functional. In Gauteng.

The presidency has welcomed a Constitutional Court judgment that dismissed its application for leave to appeal a High Court ruling regarding the hiring and firing of cabinet ministers. Ramaphosa took the matter to the ConCourt seeking clarity on the powers of the President on the matter. In 2017, the High Court ruled that then President Jacob Zuma must give reasons for his controversial cabinet reshuffle which saw the axing of then Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and his Deputy Mcebisi Jonas.

Social media has been abuzz since YESTERDAY when Limpopo-based Ndlovu Youth Choir had been preparing for its final performance at the finals of America's Got Talent. The group took to its facebook page moments before their performance to thank all South Africans and the world for the support they have received in the competition. Veteran television talk show host, Felicia Mabuza-Suttle had also paid the group a special visit to wish them well.

Labour union DEMAWUSA says it will forge ahead with the strike action until Johannesburg's Metrobus management meets its demands. Metrobus workers belonging to DEMAWUSA embarked on an indefinite strike yesterday over salary progression issues. The union also wants to be given office space and resources at all three Metrobus depots in Johannesburg. Meanwhile Metrobus says their bus that was reported hijacked this morning has since been found parked at a Ghandi Square bus terminal in central Joburg.

Suspended Secretary to Parliament Gengezi Mgidlana says he has already started consulting his lawyers to challenge his dismissal. National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise recently announced that they have accepted recommendations that Mgidlana be summarily dismissed. He was found guilty on seven of the 13 charges laid against him - of which four were very serious. It follows the outcome of an investigation by a disciplinary panel which probed various allegations - which include maladministration.

The 2 month deployment of the army in some crime hotspots in Cape Town comes to an end today. In July Police Minister Bheki Cele announced that soldiers would be deployed to the streets of townships in the mother city following a series of gang related murders. It still remains unclear if an extension will be granted to allow the SANDF to stay longer.

Nigeria's consul general, Adama Godwin, has confirmed that his government will soon start the process of repatriating more than six hundred of it's citizens back to Nigeria. This follows the announcement by the African Diaspora Forum's that it too had received over 400 requests from foreign nationals who hail from Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi who wish to be assisted with returning to their home countries. Violent clashes between locals, who claim to be fighting the scourge of drugs and crime, and foreign nationals defending their livelihoods during the looting of businesses in both the Johannesburg CBD and Tshwane has led to at least 12 deaths thus far. Nigeria's consul general, Adama Godwin says the first trip is expected to leave South Africa this week