Portfolio Committee on Public Accounts SCOPA, has recommended the immediate suspension of HoD of Health in the North West, Dr. Thabo Lekalakala for making a pre-payment of 30 MILLION rand to a Gupta-linked company MEDIOSA. Lekalakala, who the Treasury found that he bended rules in awarding a 180 million rand to MEDIOSA company has also conceded that he enjoyed a 4 day all-expenses paid trip to INDIA which he admitted to have forget to declare to the MEC. He, and MEC flanked by senior managers appeared before SCOPA, where he admitted the trip were authorised by Premier Supra Mahumapelo. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Lucas Mothibedi...

Political parties in Parliament expect Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba to strike a delicate balancing act between government's spending priorities and the burgeoning budget deficit. Gigaba is expected to table the budget speech in parliament at 2 o'clock on Wednesday. This comes as opposition parties have been calling for Gigaba's sacking accusing him of failing to ensure financial stability at State Owned Enterprises that fall under Treasury. Lulama Matya

President Cyril Ramphosa has described the Marikana tragedy as the darkest moment in South Africa's young democracy. He also says the Life Esdimeni tragedy is the most appalling dereliction by the state to its people. He was replying to the Joint SONA debate. He also told MPs that young White South Africans still have better opportunities than their young Black counterparts. Our Parliamentary Correspondent Mercedes Besent tells us more.....

Police in the Eastern Cape have confirmed that at least 6 police officers have been killed after gunmen attacked the police station in the small town of Ngcobo in the Eastern Cape. Police say the alleged attackers came into the police station after 11 pm last night and locked some of the officers in a room. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Eastern Cape police spokesperson, Captain Khaya Tonjeni

Market analyst, Wayne McCurrie looks at Asian Markets in the midst of Lunar New Year holiday and the day before finance minister, Malusi Gigaba's much anticipated budget speech

Market analyst, George Glynos of ETM Analytics looks at SA markets ahead of the budget Fitch has indicated that the improved growth outlook since Ramaphosa took control, the Budget due to be released on Wednesday and SARB's leading indicator for Dec released

This year's budget speech by Minister, Malusi Gigaba is expected to be one of the hardest he has yet had to address. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Faith Ngwenya, technical executive at the South African institute for professional accountants who says it is a daunting task for Gigaba to try and budget what we as the country have available to us

A man who has turned state witness in a murder case involving 14 men from Marikana near Rustenburg in the North West, has told the North West High Court sitting in Mogwase that there are many people who were involved in Petrus Sabata 's murder in 2016. The 14, including community activist Napoleon Webster, are facing murder charges. Sabata was hacked to death with knives and spears in Marikana four years ago, allegedly over the allocation of RDP houses. Bafedile Moerane reports

More ANC branches in KwaZulu-Natal have made their voices heard following the recall of Jacob Zuma as President of the country. Some branches from the KwaDukuza, Abaqulusi and Musa Dladla regions have condemned the manner in which the ANC NEC handled the recall. During the weekend NEC members were deployed to various regions of the province to communicate the decision to recall Zuma. Vusi Khumalo reports.

The interim Leader of Zimbabwe opposition MDC-T Nelson Chamisa has appealed for tolerance as the party bids farewell to its late founder Morgan Tsvangirai. Chamisa - one of three vice presidents who have been jostling for power since Tsvangirai fell ill, spoke at the memorial service at Freedom Square in Harare. Opposition leaders in South Africa also paid tribute. Nthakoana Ngatane reports