First Take SA

The commission investigating political killings in KwaZulu-Natal continues. The commission had a visit at the Glebelands hostel in Umlazi south of Durban - where 89 people have reportedly been killed since 2014. The commission has also heard that there are too many illegal firearms in communities, hence most victims of political related violence are shot. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Moerane Commission's Secretary, Solomzi Mdledle

Residents evicted from dilapidated flats in Joburg CBD are complaining about overcrowding in the tents provided as temporary shelter. Hundreds of residents from Fattis Mansion and Cape York buildings have been temporarily housed at the Wembley stadium in Turffontein south of the city. At the Cape York building, seven people died after the building caught alight earlier this month. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Nomzamo Zondo, Director of Litigation at the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa, who says the City has still done nothing to shelter the residents, and is in breach of a court order and of its constitutional obligations...

The principal of Manyano Primary School in Middelburg, Mpumalanga is now without a job after he was dismissed by the provincial department of Education. He was fired after being found guilty of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, for beating up 14 year old learner Siphamandla Choma late last year. They were being disciplined for allegedly stealing one hundred and fifty rand from a teacher's bag. MEC Reginah Mhaule says the principal has five days to appeal her decision. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Choma's family lawyer, Eddie Mabaso

South Africa has made a recovery in the latest Country RepTrak reputation study, rising four places to 45 out of 71 countries measured. This is despite the current political and policy uncertainty, Conducted by Reputation House in association with the Reputation Institute, the global reputation study reveals that Canada and Switzerland topped the ranking, while the United States recorded the biggest drop in reputation. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Chairman of Reputation House South Africa Dr Dominik Heil

Reserve Bank governor Lesetja Kganyago has announced that the repo rate will drop by a quarter of a percentage point to 6.75%. This means the prime lending rate drops to 10.5%. Some economists had speculated that the Reserve Bank would drop rates. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to by Gina Schoeman Economist at Citi Bank.

Minister of Mineral Resources Musebenzi Zwane may bring an ailing mining industry to its knees! This is according to Jonathan Veeran who is a partner at Webber Wentzel. Zwane has gazetted a proposal to restrict new mining prospecting and mining rights as well as their renewal. Veeran says there is an attempt to force the industry to ultimately bow to the Minister's whim in respect of Mining Charter III. He spoke to Tsepiso Makwetla

Local government association - SALGA - has called for a review of the safety needs of councillors amidst the escalation in the killing of local councillors. Speaker of the Raymond Mhlaba municipal council in the Eastern Cape - Thozama Njobe - was shot several times. She later died in hospital. Salga says the killing of councillors is an indictment on the local government and its constitutional mandate to deliver basic services. Tsepiso Makwetla, Salga presidency spokesperson Phindile Chauke

Death threats against ANC MP Dr. Makhosi Khoza and a number of other prominent South Africans have once again raised questions about the ability and willingness of law enforcement agencies to protect public officials and ordinary citizens. Khoza has been vocal in condemning President Jacob Zuma's leadership and has even called on him to step down. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Bheki Mngomezulu, Professor of political science at the University of Western Cape, who says "Factional battles within the ANC have allowed "ill discipline" to flourish."

The latest TransUnion vehicle pricing index has revealed that prices for new passenger vehicles shrunk from 8.4 percent in last year's second quarter to 5.4 percent in this year's second quarter. The vehicle pricing index, considers data from South Africa's top 15 manufacturers, comparing the rates at which both new and used financed vehicle prices increase on a quarterly basis. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Kriben Reddy, Director for Product and New Business Development for TransUnion Africa

Miway Insurance says its investigating the source of an email allegedly from Miway Insurance Management instructing each other not not approve claims from black people in the country.The company is currently trending on social media. In a statement the insurance company says "An urgent investigation has been launched and they can confirm that the email with its content was not sent from a MiWay employee and that there was also no such meeting that took place or decision to this effect. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to branding expert Thebe Ikalafeng