First Take SA

A general household survey released by Statistics South Africa today reveals that almost a third of the population is now relying on social grants. There's been a steady increase over more than a decade from 12.7% of the population in 2003 to 30.1% percent in 2015. PM Live anchor Tšepiso Makwetla speaks to the Statistician General Pali Lehohla

The South Africa National Editors Forum has called on the SABC to review its decision not to broadcast footage of public property being destroyed during protests. The SABC argues that showing such material on its news bulletins and using sound on its radio stations, might encourage other communities to do the same. However, SANEF national chairperson Mpumelelo Mkhabela says the SABC could find creative ways to tell stories without omitting any material facts surrounding the destruction of property.

Gauteng MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Paul Mashatile is this hour expected to visit Sekampaneng outside Hammanskraal where the community went on rampage yesterday.Two people were killed and three buses set alight as the community which protested against being evicted on a land owned by the City of Tshwane municipality. According to the police the situation remains tense but under control.

After seven years on suspension more than 500 members of the South African National Defence Force can report back for duty. The follows the announcement by the chief of the National Defence Force, Solly Shoke to reinstate the soldiers who were suspended after they stormed the lawns of the Union Buildings, in a violent protest in 2009. The members have been on special leave, on full salaries, since the illegal march.

N our Tech Talk feature this week...... In 2015, Nosipho Gamede founded GigNet Mobile App, South Africa's first and only fully integrated entertainment networking platform that allows for the interaction of multiple user groups in a single entertainment ecosystem. The Mobile App allows for entertainment consumers to view and track their favourite entertainers and more.

Mantshali Motijoane took her daughter’s relatively new tablet in for repairs at the Edgars Active store based at Clearwater Mall, west of Johannesburg, at the beginning of this year. This after it stopped functioning in December 2015. She says she could not take it to Edgars Active then, because of her December holiday programme. But now the gadget has seemingly disappeared.

Reserve Bank Governor, Lesetja Kganyago, has announced that the repo rate will remain unchanged at seven percent. This means that the prime lending rate remains steady at 10 point five percent. The move had been widely expected following Stats SA's announcement of better than expected inflation data. CPI slowed year on year to six point two percent in April. However Kganyago has voiced concern about the expected increases in food and fuel prices in the coming month. Ike Phaahla speaks to Ian Cruickshanks, Chief Economist at the South African Institute of Race Relations.

Former mine workers say today's ruling by the Johannesburg High Court that they can now bring a class action suit against mining companies to claim for compensation for contracting silicosis and TB is a first step towards justice. At least 200-thousand current and former gold miners and their families may join the class action.

This week we introduce a new feature on the show called Trends watch. Our Producer Aphiwe Honono will take us through the social media commentary on some of the stories that made headlines during the week.

The Supreme Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal by Aurora directors, upholding a high court ruling that they be held personally responsible for the destruction of Pamodzi mine assets. The directors, including President Jacob Zuma's nephew, Khulubuze and former president Nelson Mandela's grandson, Zondwa will in terms of the judgement be sequestated if they do not pay for damage and the outstanding wages of more than five-thousand workers. Labour union Solidarity says further criminal investigations including corruption and maladministration will follow.