First Take SA

The South African Association for Jazz Education - SAJE- will host its 5th Jazz Festival from the 28 to 30 April 2017 where International Jazz Day will be observed on the 30th. The jazz festival is also culmination of Jazz Appreciation Month which draws public attention to jazz and its heritage throughout April.

The High court in Pretoria has dismissed Hawks Boss Bernard Ntlemeza's leave to appeal last month's high court decision that his appointment be set aside. This follows an application by Helen Suzman Foundation and Freedom Under Law arguing that Ntlemeza should never have been appointed to head the elite crime-fighting unit. Meanwhile Police Minister Fikile Mbalula yesterday announced a decision to withdraw the appeal. The court has also ordered that Ntlemeza must be fired with immediate effect. Earlier on we spoke to Ulrich Roux, a Litigation specialist and Director at BDK Attorneys.

EFF leader Julius Malema says it does NOT matter how many people attend marches to the Union Buildings from Church square. Malema says the 12th of April March is part of rolling marches that will be organised to pressure the president to step down. he was speaking to Tsepiso Makwetla on PM Live

Cartoonist, Zapiro, has defended the use of rape as a theme in his latest cartoon about state capture. The cartoon depicts a rape scene where President Jacob Zuma is buckling up his trousers, as one of the Gupta brothers gets ready to "rape" a woman depicted wearing a South African flag, with State Security Minister David Mahlobo, Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini and The New Age editor Moegsien Williams pinning her down. Cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro know as Zapiro joins us on the line

The spokesperson of Parliament, Moloto Mothapo, says the Speaker of the National Assembly, Baleka Mbete will attend to requests by some opposition parties to postpone a motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma. It is scheduled to be held in the House next Tuesday. The DA, UDM and EFF who had requested the motion, are now asking for a postponement - in the light of a pending court case. The UDM has approached the Constitutional court for direct access - to in the end compel the National Assembly to allow a secret ballot during a motion of no confidence. Moloto Mothapo speak to tsepiso Makwetla

South Arican Renewable Energy Council says it is concerned that the deadline for financial closure of outstanding Power Purchase Agreements has not been met. The signing was postponed today after Energy Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi moved the deadline that was set by the former energy minister, Tina Joemat-Pettersson. The renewable energy industry has accused Eskom of dragging its feet on the conclusion of power purchase agreements with 37 Independent Power Producers. Tsepiso Makwetla speaks to South Arican Renewable Energy Council Brenda Martin

EE Publishers Managing director, Chris Yelland says new minister has NO background in everything. Yelland says there is policy shambles with regards to energy in South Africa. He speaks to PM Live Anchor Tsepiso Makwetla

Parliament insists that neither the rules of the National Assembly or the Constitution make provision for a motion of no-confidence in the President of the country. Spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo, says it is on this basis that Parliament will oppose an application for direct access to the Constitutional court earlier by the UDM, to enable a secret ballot in the National Assembly. The Assembly is set to vote on a motion of no-confidence in President Jacob Zuma, next week. Mothapo spoke to Tsepiso Makwetla

The Constitutional Court is considering whether to force parliament to hold a secret ballot during a no- confidence vote against President Jacob Zuma next week. The UDM approached the court after Speaker of Parliament, Baleka Mbete refused to sanction a secret ballot. Tsepiso Makweta spoke to UDM leader Bantu Holomisa.

President Jacob Zuma says he has met with Finance Minsiter, Malusi Gigaba, SARS Commissioner, Tom Moyane and Reserse Bank Governor, Lesetja Kganyago to discuss the recent downgrades by Standard and Poor's and Fitch rating agencies. Last week, the two rating agencies downgraded South Africa to non-investment grade, this as result of the cabinet reshuffle. Earlier I Spoke of Senior Director & Head of Middle East and African sovereigns at Fitch Ratings, Jan Friederich..