First Take SA

1.8 million HIV-infected people will die over the next 10 years in South Africa if US President Donald Trump cut foreign aid supporting HIV/AIDS treatment. This is according to a global study by the Annals of Internal Medicine. According to scientists and researchers globaly; sky-rocketing deaths in the African nations would far outweigh savings.The President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) funding will now be $5 billion per year compared to the previous $6 billion, However, US State Department says no patient currently receiving antiretroviral therapy through PEPFAR funds will lose that treatment. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Treatment Action Campaign's General Secretary, Anele Yawa

Treatment of psychiatric patients in Gauteng hospitals still remains a challenge. DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, Jack Bloom says Gauteng public hospitals admits thousands of psychiatric patients but many of them end up being placed in ordinary wards with other patients. Bloom says many hospitals have no dedicated psychiatric wards but still accept large numbers of psychiatric patients. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, Jack Bloom

The search for two miners still trapped underground at harmony Gold's Kusasalethu mine near carletonville on Gauteng's West rand continues. The body of the third miner was brought to surface yesterday morning. About three thousand mine workers were underground when a tremor caused part of the mine to collapse. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to the Investor Relations Manager at Harmony Gold Mining Company, Lauren Fourie.

The Eskom board is meeting to discuss reports that global management consultancy Oliver Wyman had red-flagged the payments made to financial advisory firm Trillian and global business consultancy McKinsey. The power utility board, in a statement, indicated that the main objective of the meeting is to find a lasting solution to stem negative coverage. Meanwhile, the DA says it will be writing to the Acting Public Enterprises Committee Chairperson Zukiswa Ranthoto to ensure that Eskom hands over the report by Oliver Wyman to Parliament for scrutiny. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to OUTA Chief Operating Officer, Ben Theron

French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting a summit with several European and African leaders in a bid to strengthen efforts to curb migrant flows across the Mediterranean. Leaders from Chad, Niger, Libya,Germany, Italy and Spain will from part of the talks. The spotlight will be on Chad, Niger and Libya, which are the major transit countries for migrants who risk their lives trying to reach Europe. French president Macron wants to see asylum requests handled in Africa. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to a senior research fellow at the Institute for Security Studies, Dr David Zounmenou..

Three City of Johannesburg theatres are reviewing their security measures following a fatal shooting at the Hillbrow theatre at the weekend. A man opened fire on patrons while watching a musical show, killing one person and wounding eight others. This is after he complained about his cellphone being stolen. Police have launched a manhunt for the alleged shooter who fled on foot immediately after the shooting. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to police spokesperson Colonel Lungelo Dlamini

The search continues for two miners still trapped underground at Harmony Gold's Kusasalethu mine near Carletonville on Gauteng's West Rand. The body of a third mine worker was brought to the surface earlier today. Two other bodies were also found and brought to the surface over the weekend. About three-thousand mine workers were working underground when a tremor caused part of the mine to collapse. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to National Union of Mineworkers Health and Safety Secretary Erick Gcilitshana

The Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, Athol Trollip says they will not re-instate Mongameli Bobani as Deputy Mayor. This, after the United Democratic Movement (UDM) gave the DA an ultimatum to re-instate Bobani by the close of business today or they'll no longer be part of the coalition. Bobani has been voted out of office in a no confidence ballot. He is accused of, among other things, voting with the opposition in the council. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to the Leader of the United Democratic Movement (UDM), General Bantu Holomisa.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) say they view the removal of Mongameli Bobani as Nelson Mandela Bay deputy-mayor as bullying by the Democratic Alliance.. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to EFF National Spokesperson, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.

Eight City of Johannesburg employees working at the City's revenue department at Thuso House have been arrested for their alleged involvement in issuing fraudulent refunds on properties. A total of 17 officials have been accused of defrauding the city of 2.5 million rand. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba...