First Take SA

The tripartite alliance is working towards a reconfigured alliance. A two-day political council meeting of the ANC and its tripartite alliance - of Cosatu, SACP and Sanco - ended in Johannesburg on Monday night, with a resolution to hold an alliance summit later this year. The alliance had been on shaky ground under the leadership of former ANC president, Jacob Zuma, with partners complaining of a lack of consultation when important decisions were made. For more on the outcomes of the two-day political council meeting, Elvis Presslin spoke to SACP 1st Deputy General Secretary Solly Mapaila.

Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs minister, Zweli Mkhize says the fifteen Limpopo municipalities that invested more than one billion rand with VBS Mutual Bank, have provided him with updated reports on forensic audits that led to the investments. The minister met with local and district municipal representatives in Polokwane as part of his oversight visit. He will also focus on issues concerning governance and revenue generation at twenty seven municipalities. Katlego Nyoni reports...

Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago has announced that VBS retail customers will now be able to use Nedbank branches to withdraw their savings. 90 per cent of VBS retail customers will receive their savings through Nedbank branches from this Friday. These include individuals, stokvels and burial societies. The Reserve Bank says business depositors are not a priority at this point. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Gerald Mwandiambira - Acting CEO of the South African Savings Institute (SASI)

The Democratic Alliance and the United Democratic Movement want Duduzane Zuma, the son of former President Jacob Zuma, to be summoned to parliament to answer on his role in allegations of state capture. Zuma was granted bail and his case postponed to next January. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to political analyst at UNISA, Prof. Lesiba Tefo who says Duduzane Zuma is not a flight risk and seems to have been treated unfairly.

The Democratic Alliance and the United Democratic Movement want Duduzane Zuma, the son of former President Jacob Zuma, to be summoned to parliament to answer on his role in allegations of state capture. They say now that Duduzane is back in the country, he should appear before parliament to give testimony. However, Zukiswa Rantho - the Chairperson of the Public Enterprises Committee that is probing allegations of state capture, says the committee does not intend to call Duduzane to parliament, but instead it will recommend in its report that law enforcement agencies investigate further possible criminal charges against him. Abongwe Kobokana repo

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa will be visiting Nigeria on Wednesday for the first time since taking over power from Jacob Zuma in February this year. Our correspondent Phil Ihaza, has more on this from the nation's capital Abuja.

SASSA workers are expected to report for work on Thursday after reaching an agreement with their employer to give negotiations another chance. Social Development Minister Suzan Shabangu had approached the Labour Court in Johannesburg to seek an interdict against the striking workers. However, the court struck the matter of the roll after parties agreed to re-open negotiations. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Public Servants Association General Manager, Tahir Moepa

Afriforum has told the Parliament's Constitutional Review that it's not true that most of the land in the country is in the hands of white people. Afriforum raised this during the last day of public hearings on the possible amendment of Section 25 of the Constitution to allow for the expropriation of land without compensation, at Mhluzi Township in Middelburg in Mpumalanga. Eric Lubisi reports ...

Learner organisation COSAS has threatened to retaliate against teachers who continue to give corporal punishment. It says through its "Fight Fire with Fire" campaign, they will act against teachers who break the law. Corporal punishment was abolished in South African schools in 1997. The learner organisation also want Maths and Science to be taught in learners' mother-tongue. Angela Bolowana has more...

Uncertainty around social grant payments by the Post Office is sowing panic among beneficiaries, especially in rural areas. Recipients who have the new SASSA cards are being turned away from traditional pay points and are being told to collect their money from banks. Panicked beneficiaries have been queuing outside the Mthatha Post office, in the Eastern Cape, since the early hours of Wednesday, hoping for answers or even their money. Zimkhita Manqinana reports.