First Take SA

Former president Thabo Mbeki has condemned the spate of attacks on foreign nationals in Pretoria last week. Speaking at his inauguration as chancellor of the University of South Africa today, Mbeki said many socio-economic challenges will not be solved by attacking foreign immigrants. Tsepiso makwetla spoke to Professor Mcebisi Ndletyana, a Professor of Politics at the University of South Africa.

The department of water and sanitation has warned of possible flooding along the Vaal River as Vaal Dam reaches full capacity. The Vaal Dam, among other areas in Gauteng, reached 100 percent capacity for the first time in six years. The Water and Sanitation Department says it's started releasing water from Bloemhof dam and will do the same for the Vaal dam. The department has also announced that it is in the process of lifting water restrictions in the Gauted province. Nationwide restrictions were implemented last year after an El Nino weather pattern brought drought conditions to much of southern Africa. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Wits Professor and water expert Professor Mike Muller

KZN MEC for Community Safety Mxolisi Kaunda has welcomed the swift arrests of two suspects in connection with a shooting that left four people dead and seven others wounded at uMlazi G-section over the weekend. The two are believed to be friends of the three men who allegedly killed four members of the Mzila family and also wounded seven others at a tavern nearby. The third suspect died in a shoot out with police during the robbery at the Mzila home. On Sunday community members burnt three houses believed to be those of the three suspects. MEC Kaunda visited uMlazi today and called on the community not to take the law into their own hands. Tsepiso makwetla spoke to KZN MEC for Community Safety Mxolisi Kaunda

Acting National Police Commissioner Khomotso Phahlane says they have the situation in the Pretoria CBD under control, this after violence broke out between locals and alleged illegal immigrants. Phahlane also indicated that over 130 people have been arrested in the past 24 hours. Ike Phaahla spoke to Mametlwe Sebei who is part of Coalition of communities against xenophobia for his reaction to the march

The ANC has called for tolerance towards foreign nationals and condemned the violence that broke out in Pretoria today. Police used stun grenades to disperse groups of people in the Pretoria CBD after a stand-off between locals and migrants. Earlier this month, similar scenes were seen in Rosettenville, south of Johannesburg, where houses believed to be drug dens and brothels were torched. The ANC has blamed the Mayor of Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba, for the current state of affairs following comments he made about foreigners in December last year. Ike Phaahla spoke to ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa and DA Johannesburg Regional Chairperson, Khume Ramulifho

During a press conference earlier today, Minster of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba condemned xenophobic attacks in the country, stating that crime has no nationality. The Director General of Home Affairs Mkhuseli Apleni spoke to Ike Phaahla about the departments sentiments and plan of action. We also spoke to the leader of Nigerian Youth Council Murtala Gamji who denies vandalism of a MTN building in Abuja.

DA says Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan should consider alternative ways other than a tax increase, to reach the R28 billion budget for the financial year 2017/2018. Some of these alternative are economic growth, selling assets and cutting wastage and expenditure. These were revealed when DA finance spokesperson David Maynier and his deputy Alf Lees shared the party's "tax alternatives" at a briefing in Parliament on Monday. Minster Gordhan is set to give his budget speech on Wednesday.

As Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan prepares to deliver the budget speech tomorrow, President Jacob Zuma emphasised in his State of the Nation Address that the state will play a role in the economy to drive transformation. Zuma said Government will use legislation, regulations, licensing, budget and procurement as well as Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment Charters to influence the behaviour of the private sector and ensure transformation. Tsepiso Makwetla speaks to Duma Gqubule who is a BEE expert.

Dancing the Death Drill, journalist and author, Fred Khumalo tells the story of the SS Mendi

Madibeng municipal area branch chairperson, Bethuel Mmutle, former ANC deputy chairperson in the North West China Dodovu, and political analyst from the University of the North West, Professor Andre Duvenhage on Brain Molefe membership.