First Take SA

Thousands of people have participated in Black Monday protests against farm killings countrywide. South Africans were encouraged to wear black to show solidarity against the rising number of farm attacks and violent crimes in South Africa. Reports indicate that there have been over 340 attacks and at least 65 murders on farms in 2017. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Omri van Zyl, executive director of AgriSA

German software giant SAP has admitted paying money to get contracts from state-owned companies in South Africa. The company has voluntarily disclosed information on the situation in its South Africa business to American authorities responsible for enforcing the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. A Gupta-controlled company apparently helped SAP to secure the Transnet deal in return for around 100-million-rand. SAP earned almost 600-million-rand from SOE companies. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Susan Comrie, an Investigative journalist with amaBhungane's Centre for Investigave Journalism, who is part of team that initially uncovered this story and also to Transnet's spokesperson, Molatwane Likhethe.

The lawyer representing the office of the public protector, Advocate Maleka, has told the high court in Pretoria that there is no rational basis to set aside remedial actions in the STATE OF CAPTURE REPORT. This is in the wake of an earlier argument by lawyers representing president Jacob Zuma that the public protector has no powers to instruct him to establish a commission of inquiry. President Zuma is challenging the report by former public protector Thuli Madonsela on grounds that the remedial actions which instruct him, are in violation of separation of powers doctrine. Maleka says the public protector recommended an inquiry due to lack of resources to fully investigate all allegations. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to the Executive Secretary at the Council of Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC), Lawson Naidoo

Police Minister Fikile Mbalula has warned farmers to be careful not to employ undocumented and unregistered foreigners for the purpose of cheap labour. Mbalula says its makes it difficult to trace some of those undocumented foreigners if they commit farm attacks. He spoke in Parliament during a briefing on the release of the 206/2017 crime statistics. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Dr. Chandré Gould , a senior research fellow at Institute for Security Studies.

Former World Trade Organisation General Secretary Pascal Lamy will this evening deliver a lecture on the theme "Globalization and the danger of the commons: Can the world achieve shared Prosperity?". The lecture, a partnership between the Mapungubwe Institure for Strategic Reflection and the University of Johannesburg, will take place at the latter's campus at 7pm this evening. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Mr Lamy about the lecture...

Russia's embassy in South Africa has dismissed reports by the Sunday Times newspaper, that Russian president Vladimir Puttin, had a hand in President Jacob Zuma's Cabinet reshuffle. The newspaper at the weekend reported that a Russian delegation reportedly coerced President Zuma into appointing David Mahlobo as the Minister of Energy last week, to ensure that the nuclear deal is realised. In a statement Russia's embassy dismissed the reports as "fake news and anti-Russian attacks". Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Alexander Kulyaev, the press officer at Russia's embassy in South Africa

The victim of the coffin assault incident, Rethabile Mlotshwa says his offenders should get a harsh sentence for the crime they committed against him. The Middleburg High Court in Mpumalanga found Theo Jackson and Willem Oosthuizen guilty on six of seven charges - including assault, attempted murder, kidnap and intimidation. Mlotshwa has been testifying at the sentencing of the two men who forced him into a coffin and threatened to set it alight. During today's court proceedings Mlotshwa was repeatedly asked by the defence to take off his shirt to reveal his injuries but refused. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to our reporter Abongile Dumako

The National Prosecuting Authority has given President Jacob Zuma until November 30 to make submissions before it decides whether to reinstate the corruption charges against him. The NPA says any further representations by Zuma should relate to issues not previously considered by authorities. The Supreme Court of Appeal last Friday upheld a High Court ruling to reinstate the charges. They were set aside in 2009, paving the way for Zuma to run for president. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to the NPA Spokesperson, Advocate Luvuyo Mfaku

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has expressed his deep sadness at the death of his spokesperson Joe Maila. The minister says the circumstances around his death are unclear at this stage. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi.

On our Open Mic feature: Tsepiso Makwetla speaks to Grammy Award-winning Beninese singer-songwriter and activist, Angélique Kidjo.