First Take SA

The International Relations ministry maintains that relations between South Africa and Rwanda are solid despite the recall of the country's high commissioner in Kigali. This follows derogatory tweets by Rwandwa's Deputy Foreign Minister towards International Relations Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu. Sisulu who had met with former Rwanda army commander General Faustin Kayumba Nyamwana who lives in South Africa. Sisulu was trying to normalise relations with Rwanda after a diplomatic spat following attacks on Nyamwasa's home in Johannesburg and the killing of Rwanda's former intelligence chief in Sandton.

There continues to be wide-spread reaction to the allegation that ANC national spokesperson, Pule Mabe sexually harassed his 26-year old female personal assistant. The governing party YESTERDAY* swiftly came out to confirm that it had received a grievance report about the issue and that it's receiving urgent attention. Meanwhile, the ANC Women's League also came out condemning sexual harassment while also noting the principle of innocent until proven guilty. Social media was also abuzz with many expressing disappointment that sexual harassment still manifests itself in the workplace

Four South African women are behind bars in Miami, in the US, following their recent arrests on drug smuggling charges. The women - three from Durban and one from Lusikisiki - have appeared in a US court where they pleaded not guilty. Employed on a cruise ship, they were arrested during a dramatic raid, after they allegedly smuggled cocaine from Jamaica to Miami. If convicted, they could face ten years imprisonment. But there are many more South Africans - in fact, there are hundreds - currently languishing in prisons worldwide. Most are convicted drug mules

President Cyril Ramaphosa will today announce the effective date for the implementation of the National Minimum Wage at a ceremony with relevant stakeholders in Kliptown, Soweto. This occasion is will acknowledge contributions made by representatives of government, business and labour under the auspices of the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) to achieve the consensus that produced a national minimum wage that is currently set at R20 rands and hour.

Some political parties in Parliament say the resignations of the four SABC board members is unfortunate. President Cyril Ramaphosa has accepted the resignation of Khanyisile Kweyama, Krish Naidoo, John Mattison and Mathatha Tsedu

The Democratic Alliance has written to Energy Minister Jeff Radebe seeking clarity on reports that the CEO of the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa - NECSA - , Phumzile Tshelane, as well as the Chairperson of NECSA, Dr. Kelvin Kemm, have been dismissed. NECSA has faced numerous governance problems in the recent past and some reports say the board had been asked to give reasons why it should not be removed.

The significance of both houses of parliament deciding to amend section 25 of the constitution in order to expropriate land without compensation

The department of Home affairs has relaxed its requirements for children travelling in and out of South Africa. The amendments took effect on the first of this month. The department says children who are foreign nationals from countries where visas are required will no longer have to carry supporting documents

Several roads in and around Westbury in Johannesburg are blocked to traffic following an early morning protest by residents. The protest was sparked by the provisional release from custody of two of the four people arrested in connection with the murder of Westbury mother Heather Peterson. Peterson was killed after she was caught in a cross fire of a gun battle of alleged drug dealers in October.

The Man and Boy foundation will be hostiung the 1st Annual Boys Art Festival. The event will form part of the 16 days of activism campaign hightlighting the role men and boys have in ending the scourge of violence against women and children. According to police statistics the murder rate for women has increased by 16% in the past five years, and more than 18,000 child rape cases were recorded over the 2017/2018 financial year.