Radio 2000 Mixes

Another province has been declared disaster area due to drought. Mpumalanga will need at least R900m in relief aid joining the ranks of KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, North West and the Free State who have already been declared drought disaster areas. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Pravin Gordhan....

1. Asian stocks were little changed after a drop in U.S. shares. A stronger yen weighed on Japanese exporters, while energy companies retreated after a decline in oil
2. European stocks climbed, resuming a rally that had stalled earlier this week, amid deal activity and earnings reports
3. Currencies from Turkey to South Africa advanced, trimming losses that have weighed on almost every emerging market this month
4. Thursday Investment Theme: Property Investments

Ten protesting students have been arrested at the University of the Western Cape after setting a number of campus buildings alight. The University of the Western Cape says it is horrified at the conduct of protesting students who have attacked fellow-students and police and damaged property in the name of the FeesMustFall campaign. For more Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the University of the Western Cape's Rector and Vice Chancellor, Professor Tyrone Pretorius, the University of the Western Cape's Rector and Vice Chancellor

Police Minister, Nathi Nhleko, says a Ministerial Reference Group has recommended that a board of inquiry - led by a retired judge or senior advocate - should be established to investigate suspended police commissioner, Riah Phiyega. The MRG has travelled the country since July last year, investigating complaints and concerns against Phiyega. Among others, senior members were removed from their positions as deputy National Commissioners without being consulted, and given lower ranks. Zalene Merrington reports.

While Parliament's Joint Rules Committee was meeting to adopt a joint rule to deal with disruptions during joint house sittings, there was chaos on the Parliamentary precinct. This as police attempted to remove striking NEHAWU parliamentary support services staff from the precinct. Our Parliamentary Correspondent Mercedes Besent tells us more

Police Minister, Nathi Nhleko, says a Ministerial Reference Group has recommended that a board of inquiry - led by a retired judge or senior advocate - should be established to investigate suspended police commissioner, Riah Phiyega. To unpack this Sakina kamwendo spoke to Gareth Newham of the Institute of Security Studies..

1. The big story of the day yesterday was the news that the mega-deal between SABMiller and Anheuser Busch InBev has been confirmed. Talk us through some of the implications for investors.
2. On a very different topic, as South Africans we are very aware of the impact the weakness in the rand has on our economy. On the other side of this coin, strength in the dollar, does that only have
positive impact on the US economy?
3· I understand that yesterday was "Singles Day" in China. Is this like the antithesis to (opposite of) Valentine's Day, or what is this all about?

The Gauteng and City of Joburg officials are working with aid organisations to assist the 300 families which have been displaced at Msawawa Informal Settlement. Yesterdaya fire destroyed their homes which are built near Kya Sands north of Johannesburg. No one was injured in the incident. Noma Bolani compiled this report.

Relationship Wednesdays

A soon-to-be-launched BBEE commission has sent out a stern warning to companies that are fronting. The commission says companies and individuals found to be practising bad behaviour and undermining the new BEE regulations and laws could face stiff penalties and up to ten years in jail. Amina Accram reports