Law Focus this week highlights the yearly statistics of road accidents during the Easter weekend. The focus bifurcates between the role and function of the Road Accident Fund (RAF) and its litigation statistics on the one hand; and the role and functions of the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) in providing law enforcement on the roads on the other hand.

We speak to Simon Zwane who is a spokesperson of the RTMC. Later on, Ofentse Kaupane (Direct Claims Manager of the RAF) speaks on compensation and settlement of claims. DSC Attorneys’ Chris Smit highlights primarily the difficulty of proving the liability of the RAF amongst other issues.

This Road Accident Fund’s edition of Law Focus is produced by Bulali Dyakopu and Hosted by Basil Sherinda. Technical production provided by Kutlwano Serame. wits.journalism.co.za

With the reinstatement of Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, on the one hand and the high crime rates on the other hand, this brought the spotlight on the connection between crime rate and the corrections model that South Africa currently has. Law focus this week revisits the response to crime from the perspective of Cele along with the model of capital punishment (death penalty).

To shed light on the topic of crime rates, we speak to Dr Johan Burger from the Institute of Security Studies and later on, we speak to Selby Xinwa of the Centre for Study of Violence and Reconciliation.

This edition of Law Focus is produced by Bulali Dyakopu and Hosted by Basil Sherinda. Technical production by Kutlwano Gwinch Serame. wits.journalism.co.za

The Department of Labour continues to brief and educate employers and employees on the new national minimum wage (NMW) which is set to come into effect from 1 May 2018. The Law Focus show seeks answers on the implementation of this new wage as well as the working rights of domestic workers.

The show talks to a researcher at the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa, Kelebogile Khunou about the history of domestic work and why it continues to be exploitive.

Even with the anticipated wage increase domestic workers will earn only 75% of the NMW of R3, 500 due to the higher risk of unemployment if the minimum wage is too high. CEO of SweepSouth, Aisha Pandor and the South African Domestic Service and Allied Workers Union’s organiser, Gloria Kente both agree that the minimum wage is disgracefully low.

The show also talks to Legal Aid labour lawyer, Jabulile Duba about how they can legally assist domestic workers to protect themselves from unconducive working conditions in accordance to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.

This edition of Law Focus is produced by Bulali Dyakopu and hosted by Basil Sherinda. Consultant produced by Khutso Tsikane and Executive produced by Lerato Makate. Technical production by Kutlwano Gwinch Serame wits.journalism.co.za