Cash-in-transit heists are now said to have not only increased dramatically in South Africa, but criminals are also becoming more violent. In the majority of incidents‚ heavily armed robbers using stolen or hijacked vehicles, use commercial explosives and strike with military precision, with AK47s‚ R4 and R5 rifles. Five suspects were arrested on Thursday, after two cash vans were attacked in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg. Police said a group of more than ten suspects bombed the cash vans before fleeing with an undisclosed amount of cash. The Police gave chase which ended up at George Goch hostel south of Johannesburg, where some of the stolen money was recovered. Three firearms and a getaway car were also seized. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to spokesperson of the South African Banking Risk Information Centre, SABRIC, Louise Tordiffe.

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC has honored it's first South African Aids Activist for her work. An exhibition of Yvette Alta Raphael in the fight against HIV/Aids was launched yesterday. Raphael is a trusted globally renown advocate on effective and efficient education to the general community regarding new and developing research for medications that treat and/or prevent HIV. She co-found the Tshwaranang Care Center for People Living With HIV & AIDS (PLWHA) and speaks around the globe to advise researchers, advocates, and policy makers. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Yvette Raphael

KwaZulu-Natal police will be closely monitoring some of Durban's northern townships after a local business association issued an ultimatum to foreign shop owners to pack up and leave. The Northern Region Business Association - which operates in Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu - accuses foreign nationals of unfair business practices and making it difficult for South African shop owners to do business. This has sparked panic among foreign nationals, who fear this could lead to xenophobic violence similar to that experienced in 2015. Premier Willies Mchunu met with the disgruntled association and the province's Somali Community Council. Nhlanhla Nxele reports....

The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) says it is intact and financially stable, despite the negative media reports. The union says it is able to pay salaries to its workers, even though it has a loan agreement with the controversial VBS Bank that is currently under curatorship. President of the union, Pule Molalenyane, says they don't have a bond with VBS Bank but an 11 million rand photocopy machine loan agreement. Molalenyane says the contract is still binding and they are servicing the loan through a monthly debit order. The union however says they are not able to withdraw one million rand from its saving account until he VBS curatorship matter has been resolved. Amina Accram reports...

Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga's chief of staff, Marietha Aucamp, has resigned. Aucump, who had been placed on special leave, announced last night that she will quit her position at the end of May. She had been embroiled in a qualifications scandal after it emerged that she allegedly lied about having a B-Tech degree to get the top job in mayor Msimanga's office. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Marietha Aucamp

The Democratic Alliance says the Western Cape High Court judgment is not in the best interests of the people of Cape Town. This after the court ruling that embattled Cape Town mayor, Patricia de Lille, will remain in office for at least the next two weeks until it makes a final ruling on her urgent application to challenge the party's decision to terminate her membership and subsequently remove her from her position as mayor. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to DA Deputy Caucus leader JP Smith

Former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke says South Africa needs to renew debate the transformation agenda, and has urged citizens to resist being lazy in coming up with solutions to find common ground. Speaking during a graduation ceremony to honour him and singer Yvonne Chakachaka, he said South Africa has made progress in certain sectors but that more needs to be done to ensure harmony in the country. The pair were conferred with doctorate degrees by Rhodes University for their various contributions through their work and philanthropic efforts. Former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke spoke Tsepiso Makwetla on a number of issues facing the country

Police in Kwazulu Natal have launched a manhunt following an attack at a mosque in Verulam, north of Durban. One person has been killed and two critically wounded. According to reports, three Egyptian Nationals stormed into the mosque, attacked people with knives and set it alight. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Reaction Unit South Africa's spokesperson, Prem Balram

Former Western Cape Police Commissioner will spend the next six years in prison. Arno Lamoer and three co-accused, two of whom are also former high-ranking police officials, were sentenced to direct imprisonment in the Cape Town High Court yesterday. Tow truck company owner, Saleem Dawjee, was given an effective six years in jail. Police brigadiers; Darius van Der Ross received a two-year jail term and Colin Govender got four years. Carmel Loggenberg Roberts Reports...

Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane has promised the people of Elsies River on the Cape Flats good governance and service delivery. Maimane addressed residents at Leonsdale Civic Centre on various issues including he current situation in the City of Cape Town. He spoke on the eve of the court case in the Cape High Court where ousted mayor Patiricia de Lille is challenging her dismissal from the party. Chris Mabuya reports....