First Take SA

Former Bosasa COO, has confirmed to the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, that the Minister Nomvula Mokonyane recieved a monthly bribe of 50-thousand-rand, over a number of years. Agrizzi continued to spill more beans his testimony at the Commission in Parktown, Johannesburg. Agrizzi also testfied that ANC MP Vincent Smith was taken care of... And that monthly bribes to the correctional services department increased after Tom Moyane was appointed national commissioner

Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa has cut his international trip short and is returning to home amidst widespread condemnation of the response of security forces to fuel protests in the country. Mnangagwa was expected in Davos, Switzerland this week after visting Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. Zimbabwe will now be represented at the World Economic Forum in Davos starting on Tuesday by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube. Rights groups in Zimbabwe say security forces, accused of night raids at homes of suspected protesters, are now trying to track down people who have gone into hiding.

The African Union has postponed the visit by a high-level delegation to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The delegation was due to arrive in the DRC today to discuss concerns over the results of last months presidential poll. The country's Constitutional Court has upheld the victory of Felix Tshisekedi. Runner-up Martin Fayulu disputes the results saying he is the true winner. Regional body SADeC has endorsed the court ruling and called for the congolese people to respect the outcome. The AU however has joined the Catholic Church in expressing serious reservations about the counting process after the elections.

The Commission of Inquiry into State Capture's first witness for the year, former BOSASA COO Angelo Agrizzi has revealed the extent of corruption at the facility and management company. He has told the commission of how BOSASA spent more than R600 million rand a month in bribes. Agrizzi continued to give his testimony at the Commission underway in Parktown in Johannesburg.

Justice and Correctional Services Minister, Michael Masutha, has once again denied Chris Hani's murderer, Janusz Walus' bid to be placed on parole. Masutha made the announcement in Pretoria YESTERDAY (Wednesday). Last year the High Court in Pretoria returned the matter back to Masutha ordering that the Minister had to decide in 120 days whether Walus would be placed on parole or not.

Zimbabwean nationals living in Pretoria protested outside the Zimbabwe Embassy calling for ambassador Isaac Moyo to update them about the recent developments in their home country. The country has been embroiled in violent protest following President Emerson Mnangwagwa's petrol price increase announcement. Among their list of demands was the unblocking of internet services which had been allegedly shutdown at the instruction of the government. The protesters have also called on SADC to intervene.

Kenyan authorities are reviewing their security strategy following explosions and gunfire in the capital, Nairobi. There are conflicting figures with some sources putting the figure at 15. In yesterday's attacks, four men stormed a hotel complex with explosives and bullets, sending by-standers diving for cover and trapping civilians inside. Al-Shabaab miliant group, which carried out an attack a notorious assault on a Nairobi shopping mall, has claimed responsibility for the attack. More than 100 civilians were rescued in the middle of the night. The attack happens exactly three years since more than 100 Kenyan soldiers died inside Somalia in their military camp when they were ambushed by al-shabaab militants.

Members of Parliament in Britain were last night expected to vote ** on whether to back prime minister Theresa May's deal for leaving the European Union. May has called for politicians to back her deal or risk what she calls letting the British people down. There has been speculation that with many of her own MPs expected to join opposition parties to vote against the deal, it is widely expected to be defeated

The commission of inquiry into state capture resumes later THIS MORNING* in Parktown Johannesburg. Last year the inquiry heard testimonies from various government representatives who detailed their interactions with the controversial Gupta family which is perceived to be at the centre of alleged corruption relating to the state. Former president, Jacob Zuma has been fingered by many witnesses during the commission but has yet to give any indication regarding his availability to appear before deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo. Duduzane Zuma has however been formally summoned to testify before the the Commission, after being directly implicated in impropriety by former deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas

Angry protesters in Zimbabwe 's capital Harare barricaded roads and burned tyres yesterday after President Mnangagwa announced a massive fuel price hike. In Bulawayo, police fired teargas to disperse hundreds of protesters. Reports have suggested that five people have sustained gunshot wounds following the unrest. Mnangagwa announced over the weekend a more than 100 percent rise in the price of petrol and diesel.