First Take SA

Protesting students have brought the academic programmes to a standstill at Rhodes University in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape. They are protesting over the alleged failure of management to act against sex crime suspects. It's alleged some students sustained injuries after police allegedly fired rubber bullets while students were setting up barricades and disrupting classes. The students are demanding for the suspension of the eleven students accused of sex crimes, whose names were posted on a social media platform.

Angry students have disrupted classes at Rhodes University in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape. They are protesting over management's alleged failure to deal decisively with suspected rapists. This follows the publishing of a list of eleven names of former and current students on Facebook. They are accused of having raped fellow students and no action was taken against them.

Constitutional experts say Parliament has a duty and responsibility to take disciplinary action against the President. This follows demands from opposition parties in Parliament that disciplinary action should be taken against President Jacob Zuma for allegedly misleading the National Assembly. A meeting was held between Parliament's presiding officers and members of political parties, to discuss the Constitutional court Nkandla judgment. The court ruled that President Zuma failed to protect, uphold and respect the Constitution by not complying with the Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's Nkandla report.

The Pretoria High Court has dismissed Justice Minister Michael Masutha's application for leave to appeal the release of Chris Hani's killer, Janusz Walus. Walus is serving a life sentence for killing the SACP leader in 1993. Masutha approached the court, arguing that it erred in law in it's judgement when it ruled that Walus should be released on parole. Earlier this year, Masutha set aside a decision by the medical parole board to have Walus freed and called for further dialogue with the SACP and Hani's family.

The ANC's SEFAKO Makgatho branch in Johannesburg's inner city is the first ANC branch to call on the ruling party to remove Jacob Zuma as its president and as head of state. The branch has written a letter to ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe raising its unhappiness about the Constitutional Court findings against President Zuma on the Nkandla upgrades issue. The branch wants Zuma replaced by his Deputy Cyril Ramaphosa until the next ANC conference, as well as a special national congress to discuss the matter.

Liziwe Ntshengulana is a public speaker and charismatic teacher, who touches many with her powerful message of empowerment, service, excellence and gratitude. A powerful life coach who comes with an inspiring story highlighting her own transformation from years as an educator in the schooling system, first as a high school teacher and subsequently as a Head of Department then principal. Ntshengulana is now the Circuit Manager of Koali-Nzo in Maluti District Department of Education in the Eastern Cape.

Passenger Rail Services of South Africa says it will deal effectively with members of SATAWU embarking on a strike action on Thursday in Cape town. PRASA Regional Manager, Richard Walker says the strike is a diversion from internal disciplinary processes against a small group of union members implicated on serious allegations. He says the union is being misused for selfish gain. The union has called for Walkers' resignation and an end to out-sourcing as well as permanent employment of contract staff. Walker has reassured the public of uninterrupted Metrorail services.

The ANC in Parliament has once again thrown its weight behind president Jacob Zuma. This follows a failed bid by opposition parties to have the president impeached. This is light of the Constitutional court ruling that found that the president violated the constitution by failing to implement the remedial action contained in the Public Protector's report on the controversial Nkandla project.

The ANC National Working Committee meeting is still underway in Cape Town. The meeting comes amid growing calls from within and outside the ANC for President Jacob Zuma to resign. The meeting which is also open to the ruling party's National Executive Comittee members, is expected to reflect on the latest developments and challenges that the ANC is facing ahead of the local government elections. This includes the Constitutional Court ruling that the remedial actions of the Public Protector are legally-binding and that the President failed to uphold, protect and defend the Constitution. This because he failed to pay back the money for the non-security features at his Nkandla home. President Zuma has since apologised.

Preliminary statistics show road fatalities decreased by 46% during the Easter period this year. Transport Ministers, Dipou Peters, says the huge decrease is due to rigorous public education campaigns to raise awareness about road safety, visible policing, the school holiday that fell over the two long weekends and the involvement of church and community leaders as well as celebrities.