First Take SA

Statistics South Africa says more young people are still finding it hard to find employment. This after the country's unemployment rate increased to 27.7 in the first quarter of this year. This is the highest unemployment rate observed since 2003. Growth in joblessness was driven by the agriculture and trade sectors. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to general secretary of the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu), Zwelinzima Vavi

The Hawks today weighed in on the leaked Gupta emails saying that they're not certain if they would prosecute in the latest chapter of the state of capture scandal. The saga unfolded this week as independent Investigative journalism unit, Amabhungane, and the online journal, the Daily Maverick, released a section of an estimated 200 000 explosive documents. The documents allege impropriety on the part of the state in the management and governance of State Owned Enterprises. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Sikonathi Mantshantsha, Deputy editor of Financial Mail....

A seven-year-old girl from Ndevana outside King William's Town in the Eastern Cape has been not been attending classes since February. This is after her teacher allegedly launched a barrage of insults against her - calling her a witch. It's alleged that the teacher is venting her anger on the child after her mother, Nomfundiso Ndlazi, who was the SGB chairperson at Masijongane Primary School, did not include her name in a list to be considered for the post of acting principal in the school. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Eastern Cape Education Superintendent General Themba Kojana

As we mark World No Tobacco Day, South Africa's tobacco control organisations have called on the Department of Health to finalise amendments to the Tobacco Products Control Act. This as the country works towards reducing tobacco consumption to less than 10% of the population. The organisations include The National Council Against Smoking, the Africa Centre for Tobacco Industry Monitoring and Policy Research and the Cancer Association of South Africa. The amended act has been in the works for more than a year. It will among other issues, force manufacturers to remove the branding on their cigarette packs and include graphic warnings. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Cancer Association of South Africa's Head of Health Michael Herbst and Free Market Foundation executive director Leon Louw

Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown says the Eskom Board will be instructed to rescind the re-instatement of Brian Molefe as Eskom's Group CEO. This is on the advice of an Inter-ministerial Committee consisting of the ministers of Finance, Justice and Correctional Services, Energy and Public Enterprises. Molefe left Eskom in November last year, with a 30-million rand payout. He was sworn in as an ANC MP in January this year but earlier this month took back his old job at the power utility.
Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to the ANC's National Spokesperson, Zizi Kodwa and Independent Energy Analyst, Chris Yelland

Police are pleading with members of the public to stop reporting fake incidents on social media platforms. Police officials say the false incidents create panic and fear to the public. People posting false information to social media are warned that they may face serious consequences including civil suits and criminal cases for any information defaming the character of other people. Yesterday police responded to claims of a minibus taxi allegedly linked to a kidnapping in Naledi, Soweto. On Monday in Kwa-Mashu, Kwazulu-Natal, residents went on the rampage looting and attacking foreign nationals following a viral social media posts which were was later found to be fake. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to national police spokesperson Sally de Beer

Statistician-General of South Africa, Dr Pali Lehohla says the goal of eliminating crime in the country by 2030 as envisaged by the National Development Plan may only be achieved in 2059. Lehohla says SAPS crime statistics show that total crime as a percentage of the population (per capita crime) has been steadily decreasing since 2005 however the rate is too slow. Lehohla today released a report that looks into exploring the extent of and circumstances surrounding housebreaking, burglary and home robbery in the country. Statistician-General of South Africa, Dr Pali Lehohla spoke to Tsepiso Makwetla

The South African Communist Party (SACP) says a group of people in the name of the Hands off Zuma Campaign have protested at the house of its Second Deputy General Secretary Solly Mapaila to threaten him. In a statement released this afternoon the party has condemned this incident, saying the 'so-called defence for President Jacob Zuma has become dangerous and life threatening. A case has been opened with the police following the protest. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to SACP spokesperson Alex Mashilo....

The Western Cape government has called on the provincial police commissioner, Khombinkosi Jula to deploy more police resources to Lavender Hill due to a spike in gang violence. This follows the closure of four schools in the area due to ongoing gang wars. The situation is concerning especially in the light of the mid year exams. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Manenberg Safety Forum Chairperson Roegshanda Pascoe

The death toll of those who have died from malaria in Mpumalanga province has risen to 20 while hundreds have been infected. Residents are complaining about the delay in delivery of malaria testing kits across the province and staff shortages at Tintswalo hospital. Residents say they fear for their lives because health officials are not treating this with the urgency it deserves. The health department says they have teams on the ground across the province attending to this. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Head of the health department in Mpumalanga, Dr Savera Mohangi.