Radio 2000 Mixes

Mineral resource deputy minister, Godfrey Oliphant, says some illegal mining operation needs to be legalized. This follows a recent incident where five bodies were discovered in an open veld in Springs on Gauteng's East Rand. A fight is believed to have ensued between rival groups of illegal miners in the area. Some of the miners had been shot, while others stabbed with sharp objects. Oliphant say they will not rest until they eliminate the big shots behind the illegal operations. Mpho Lepedi reports

A defiant Zimbabwean President and AU Chair, Robert Mugabe has denounced what he called the illegal sanctions imposed on his country by the European Union and the United States. The 91-year old president was addressing the UN General Debate in New York. He re-iterated Africa's common position on the reform of the Security Council and rejected attempts to prescribe new rights that are contrary to the values and traditions of certain countries. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports

President Jacob Zuma has given a hard hitting speech at the United Nations General Assembly urging the international body to be more reflective of today's world. Addressing the 70th session in New York, president Zuma decried the lack progress in resolving the Palestinian question and urged the world to tackle the climate challenge when the UN conference meets in Paris in December. Presidential correspondent Tshepo Ikaneng reports from New York.

About eighty offenders are serving their prison terms in dilapidated structures made from corrugated iron at the Tzaneen correctional centre in Limpopo. This is despite having a newly built prison, standing vacant in the vicinity. Last week two prisoners escaped from the structure through the roof. There is also no recreational facilities for the inmates. Correctional service officers are operating from an old farm house that has been converted into offices. Witness Tiva reports

South African comedian Trevor Noah has officially taken over from Jon Stewart as the host of the Daily Show. Noah's grandmother, Nomalizo Noah, says she is a proud grandmother. The 88 year old was at her Orlando east home in Soweto when the show was aired. Pearl Magubane reports

The SABC's annual financial report tabled in parliament last week drew strong criticisms from a host of political organisations in the country. Many questioned the wisdom of a pay rise of R1million to the broadcaster's COO, while the Corporation had incurred a R400 million loss in the last financial year. On the Forum@8 we speak to the SABC Chief Operations Officer, Hlaudi Motsoeneng the Chief Financial Officer James Aguma and SABC’s Commercial Adviser Anton Heinus

A South African who was held in Equatorial Guinea for two years, has arrived back in the country. Daniel Janse van Rensburg had been detained after a deal with a local businessman turned sour. Van Rensburg was meant to leave Guinea on Thursday, but was blocked by men believed to be working for a former Malabo mayor who accused him of stealing money. For more on this we're now joined on the line by the family spokesperson, Fran Kirsten

1. Asian markets slightly negative this morning despite mixed US equity market
2. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said the U.S. central bank is on track to raise interest rates this year
3. VW's new CEO set to change strategy

Plans for the anti-corruption march which was expected to take place on Wednesday seems to be disrupted. This after the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) gave Numsa permission to strike on a different date than the one they planned for. According to Media reports, Federation of Unions of SA (Fedusa) general secretary, Dennis George, blames Numsa for jumping the gun by announcing the date before it got approval from Nedlac. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to former General Secretary of Cosatu, Zwelinzima Vavi

The Department of Correctional Services has discovered and prevented escape plans by their inmates at Zonderwater Correctional Centre. According to media reports, Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir was among the inmates who were planning a prison break. A number of illegal items like pistol, ammunition, a knife, 10 cell phones, a memory stick and a diary which contained the names of witnesses and investigators in his cases, were discovered in his cell. To tell us more Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the Spokesperson for Departmental of Correctional Services, Manelisi Wolela