First Take SA

New Finance Minister Tito Mboweni's Medium-term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) is expected to give clarity on Government's intention to reprioritise 50 billion rand of funds to stimulate the economy and create jobs. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the stimulus package in September. Economists say re-prioritising funds is the better option rather than increasing taxes. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) chief executive Bonang Mohale

Students at the Tshwane University of Technology have welcomed the arrest of two police officers believed to be linked to the death of 3rd year LLB student, Katlego Monareng. Monareng was shot and killed in August during a protest over SRC election results at the Soshanguve campus, north of Pretoria. Its alleged the police fired live ammunition at the students as warning shots. The arrested police captain and a constable will appear in court TODAY where TUT students will also hold demostrations. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to student leader at the TUT Soshanguve campus, Thabang Boima

The Giyani municipality in Limpopo, which invested 161 million rands in VBS, has initiated legal processes to recoup some of the monies linked to the mutual bank's scandal. Municipal spokesperson, Steven Mabunda says former chief financial officer, Hitler Maluleke, has been fired while the former technical services director - Precious Mathebula - resigned after their involvement in the VBS scandal. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Giyani Munipality spokesperson, Steven Mabunda

Finance Minister Tito Mboweni has lamented the public sector salary bill ahead of his maiden Medium Term Budget Policy Statement on Wednesday. Using Eskom as an example, Mboweni says the power utility will probably need to shed over 30-thousand jobs as it is bloated. He was speaking at the second annual Kader Asmal Memorial lecture at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology's Mowbray Campus in Cape Town. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to general secretary of the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) Zwelinzima Vavi

The Jesus Dominion International Church (JDI), of which controversial rape accused Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso is the founder, has been the target of furious protesters this past weekend. Various political parties and members of the public joined forces in a protest to have the church closed. Yesterday (sunday) they gathered in front of the church in Port Elizabeth while a service was underway. They later dispersed peacefully after the congregants left the building at the conclusion of a two hour church service. Meanwhile, Some church leaders have called on the church to stand and speak out against what's happening. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Pastor Siyabonga Malinga the senior pastor at HIS Planting family church

Siyabonga Gama has been dismissed as chief executive of Transnet. The company had given Gama until October 15th to give reasons why his contract should not be terminated after he was implicated in misconduct and maladministration in the acquisition of locomotives from a Chinese rail company in 2012. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Transnet non-executive board member Mpho Letlape

The Port Elizabeth High Court has postponed the case against the controversial pastor, Timothy Omotoso, to Monday. This is after witness Cheryl Zondi, told the court that Omotoso allegedly raped her at various places, when they travelled for church events. During cross-examination, Zondi told the court that she thought of approaching the police in Durban, but alleges that she decided against it because some of them were part of Omotoso's protocol observers. Meanwhile, there continues to be an outcry over how defence lawyer Peter Dauberman questioned Cheryl Zondi. The Commission for Gender Equality has expressed dismay at what it describes as an 'insensitive' line of questioning by Otomoso's defence lawyer. Javu Baloyi from the commission says they will approach the the General Council of the Bar of South Africa and the judiciary over the matter. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Javu Baloyi from the Commission of Gender Equality.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has set up a Commission of Inquiry into allegations of impropriety at the Public Investment Corporation (PIC). The inquiry will be headed by former president of the Supreme Court of Appeal Justice Lex Mpati. The president has given the inquiry six months to complete the investigation. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader, Bantu Holomisa

The Passenger Rail Agency - PRASA - has put the cost of yesterday's damage to the trains in Germiston, east of Johannesburg at 6 point 5 million rand. Two Metrorail trains were burnt at the Germiston train station. Another train travelling from Germiston to Springs was also torched damaging only the seats. No injuries were reported in all the incidents. Over 5-thousand commuters were affected by train delays as a result of the incidents. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Gauteng Metrorail sopkesperson, Lillian Mofokeng

TALKING POINT:

*** Liberian government attracts major investments for the country's fishing industry

*** The World Bank Group says financial technology (fintech) companies are key pillars in supporting sustainable growth and poverty reduction

*** Conflicting death toll reports following last Friday's Osisioma pipeline explosion in Abia, Nigeria