First Take SA

The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) says the notice of intention to de-register the union is an onslaught to its efforts for social justice and economic emancipation. This follows the announcement by government which described the union as not being genuine under the Labour Ralations Act. AMCU boasts over 200-thousand members within both the gold and platinum mines which are operated by amongst others Sibanye-Stillwater and Lonmin.

Mopping-up operations continue and residents count their losses, President Cyril Ramaphosa visted many of the areas that have been devastated by the storm

The death toll following the devastating floods in Kwazulu Natal has risen to 51. In the meantime the weather Service is warning that the rains will continue over the province today* - with the weather only expected to clear from tomorrow.

Three disgruntled ANC members in the Free State are today taking the ANC and the IEC to court to have names of 41 candidates nominated at the provincial list conference nullified. They say the ANC Provincial List Conference held in December last year to nominate eleven members to the National Assembly and thirty to the Provincial Legislature was unlawful and unconstitutional. The matter will be heard on an urgent basis in the Gauteng South High Court later in the day*. But Acting ANC Spokesperson Dakota Legoete says the case is a waste of time as these members had enough time to raise their concerns with the ANC long before the list was sent to the IEC

24 suspects have been arrested in connection with Sri Lanka bomb explosions that left about 290 people dead and more than 500 injured. The bomb blasts ripped through churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka, in the first major attack on the Indian Ocean Island since the end of a civil war 10 years ago. But it is not yet known who carried out the attacks

The Ombudsman for Banking Services says there has been an alarming increase in credit card fraud over the first quarter of the year. The ombudsman says the increase in credit card fraud had grown from 12.2 percent to almost twenty-percent with more than half of the victims being of pensionable age. According to statistics from the ombud, those aged between 61 and 70 account for 21 percent of fraud complaints

Calls continue to intensify for president Cyril Ramaphosa to appoint the eight candidates to serve on the SABC board. Director at Media Monitoring Africa, William Bird says they will be writing a second letter to the presidency on why the public broadcaster's board has yet to be appointed. The presidency has meanwhile denied that it is employing delaying tactics citing vetting processes that have yet to be completed. Bird however says president Ramaphosa has until the end of business today to appoint the board of face legal action

Alexandra residents, north of Johannesburg have vowed to continue with their total shut down today. The residents are demanding that Joburg Mayor Herman Mashaba meets with them and address their concerns. Last week, protestors blockaded roads, over the mushrooming of shacks and illegal structures as well as a lack of service delivery. Alexandra Community leader, Patrick Baloyi speaks to Elvis Presslin.....

The Carletonville crèche where shocking videos of toddlers being physically abused by an employee were taken has been closed by the Department of Social Development. There was widespread outrage after the videos emerged. Police say the woman was arrested two weeks ago, and is currently out on bail

Energy expert says loadshedding will continue as long as systems remain offline and dont receive due maintenance on time. This follows Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gorhdan saying there is now a better understanding of Eskom's electricity supply issues and that there should be no loadshedding from this point on.