First Take SA

Today) is International Gynaecological Awareness Day and health NGO, Right to Care, has called on communities to continue sharing knowledge and raising awareness about cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccinations. The organisation says only half of South African women are screened for cervical cancer at the recommended intervals, with Pap Smear screening lower amongst the poor and those living with HIV. Research shows cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among South African women.

Some foreign nationals in Katlehong, east of Johannesburg, say they are ready to abandon their pursuit of a better life in South Africa and go back to their countries of origin. About 800 foreign nationals have been displaced by last week's xenophobic attacks in Katlehong, and are being sheltered at community halls in the township. They were uprooted from their homes at the Mandela informal settlement and Nhlapo section.

Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) says it hopes to meet with Minister of Police Bheki Cele to discuss a coordinated response to the wave of attacks on businesses in Gauteng. Busa has condemned the violent protests across the province where foreign-owned businesses were vandalised and looted.

South Africa has avoided a recession. The country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew 3.1 percent in the second quarter of 2019. The first quarter GDP numbers recorded a decline of 3.2 percent. GDP data released by Stats SA showed that mining, manufacturing, finance and real estate showed positive growth, while agriculture, forestry and fishing continued to shrink

Police continue to monitor hot spots across Johannesburg and Pretoria. This follows the widespread looting of foreign-owned shops in Tembisa, Pretoria, Germiston, Malvern, Turfontein and the Johannesburg CBD. Police fired teargas, rubber bullets and stun grenades and arrested more than 90 people. Meanwhile, the ANC has condemned the violence and classified it as mere 'acts of criminality'. ANC Secretary General, Ace Magashule has criticised the media for what he calls false and irresponsible reporting of the violence.

The 42 year old man arrested following the disappearance of a University of Cape Town student has been charged with murder rape and defeating the ends of justice. 19 year old Uyinene Mrwetyana disappeared more than a week ago. Meanwhile, boxing champion Leighandre "Baby Lee" Jegels was gunned down by her ex-boyfriend in the Eastern Cape. This as a six-year-old Amy-Lee de Jager is still missing after being kidnapped for ransom outside her school in Vanderbijlpark

Members belonging to the National Truck Drivers' Foundation have called for a nationwide strike today in response to trucking companies taking them to court for allegedly burning trucks. The foundation is also lobbying against the alleged employment of foreign nationals.

Business owners whose shops were looted in Malvern east of Johannesburg this morning are counting their loses. An estimated 50 shops have been looted and over 50 vehicles burnt after a group of people went on the rampage. Some of the shops were also burned. Over 30 people have now been arrested. The motive for the looting is not yet known. The looting incidents started in nearby Jeppestown yesterday morning after three people died in a building fire. But police say the looting is not related to the deaths. They blame this on criminals taking advantage of the situation. These business owners say they've lost everything

Fear and anxiety are mounting in the student community as investigations into the disappearance of a 19-year-old University of Cape Town student continue. Police say Uyinene Mrwetyana was last seen last Saturday afternoon when she left her Roscommon House residence in Claremont. Mrwetyana family has enlisted the services of private investigator Noel Pratten to help with the search. Two more private investigators have also been hired by the UCT to assist with the search.

A report released by corruption watchdog Corruption Watch has revealed that South African police are the most corrupt public servants. The report also shows that for the first time, corruption in the police has overtaken other sectors such as schools, health and local government. It identifies abuse of power and bribery as the leading forms of corruption in the police.