Radio 2000 Mixes

The South African economy has suffered a mighty blow as it slips into its first recession since 2009. The grim announcement from Statistics South Africa comes on the back of news that the price of petrol will increase by four-point-nine cents a litre next week. The SABC's Economics Editor Thandeka Qqubule spoke to Sakina Kamwendo.

Former CEO of retail giant Steinhoff International Holdings, Markus Jooste, says he lost 3 billion rand after the company’s share price fell as the accounting scandal emerged last year. Jooste resigned last December as the company’s advisory board decided that a new probe should be instituted into allegations of fraud. He says he was not willing to go through another probe when there had been an independent investigation by German authorities. He says the delay in the release of the financial results would have reflected badly on him as CEO. Meanwhile chairperson of Parliament's Portfolio on Finance Yunus Carrim has warned Jooste that his reluctance to come clean about what transpired at the company may work against him in future.

Joburg Emergency Services have confirmed that one firefighter has died after falling from the Gauteng Health and Human Settlements building in the city center where he was part of a team that was exhinguishing a blaze. Three emergency workers are currently trapped inside the building. Joburg Emergency spokesperson Nana Hadebe says it is unclear at this stage what caused the fire.

In this podcast, Bussai talks to Nthabiseng Tsima. We look at various awareness campaigns for the Deaf Community.

DNA test are yet to be conducted on the body of a child found dumped in Phoenix north of Durban in KwaZulu Natal. It is suspected that it may belong to nine year old Miguel Louw who disapeared in July but police have cautioned against any speculation. Prabashni Naicker reports.

Leaders of the Liberated Metalworkers Union in the Western Cape, say they want union members to be part of the safety team appointed by Rheinmetal Denel Munition. This follows an explosion which has resulted in the death of at least eight workers. The employees were conducting blending operations of propellants at the time of the accident. Chief Executive Officer of Rheinmetal Denel Munition, Norbert Schulze held a media briefing today.

The National Forum on the Legal Profession has welcomed the new South African Legal Practice Council which comes into effect in November this year. The Council will regulate all lawyers and advocates and will replace the four societies across the country. Jutice minister Michael Masutha says the process for nominating members to serve on the council open tonight. Deputy Chairperson of the National Forum on the Legal Profession, Max Boqwana says this body will look after the interests of the public and not those of lawyers.

Metrorail says a human error may be to blame for the collision of two trains in Selby Johannesburg this morning. 112 people were injured, seven of those sustained serious injuries. The trains were coming from opposite ends. Our reporter Pearl Magubane is at the scene of the accident.

Senior Lecturer at the Wits University’s School of Economics and Business Science, Lumkile Mondi says the private sector must play its part in order to help lift South Africa out of the current recession. Statistics SA has released figures showing that the country has sunk into a recession. The economy contracted by 0.7 percent in the second quarter while the number was at 2,2 percent in the first quarter. Contributing factors include a slump in agriculture production, the transport industry, and manufacturing. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Mondi.

GCIS Acting Director-General Phumla Williams broke down during her testimony at the State Capture Commission of Inquiry today. Williams has told the commission about the abuse that she was allegedly subjected to by former Communications minister Faith Muthambi who bullied her. She says she had to seek medical help as she continued to work under stressful conditions which triggered panic attacks that she had experienced after being tortured for being involved in the struggle against apartheid in 1988. Our reporter Mbali Thethani is at the Commission and we also crossed live to the proceedings.