The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has sought to play down the impact of a Special Tribunal ruling ordering the release of five high-end luxury vehicles — including Aston Martins, Ferraris and a Rolls-Royce — seized during raids linked to the alleged R2 billion Tembisa Hospital looting scheme. The unit insists the ruling does not weaken its case against alleged kingpin Hangwani Maumela and says the assets’ value remains protected pending final forfeiture proceedings. 

Guest: Kaizer Kganyago: Spokesperson, Special Investigating Unit (SIU) 

 

KwaZulu-Natal has emerged as the epicentre of South Africa’s Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak, prompting the provincial government to urgently pursue the classification of the crisis as a State of Disaster. 

Guest: Thamsanqa Ntuli: Premier, KwaZulu-Natal E

T

South African soldiers guarding the country’s borders say they are surviving on little more than pap, eggs and pilchards — sometimes just two meals a day — while prisoners receive three balanced meals daily. As troops battle hunger, illness and failing equipment in remote and dangerous conditions, the SANDF is preparing to spend hundreds of millions of rand on Armed Forces Day celebrations, exposing a stark disconnect between leadership priorities and the lived reality of those on the ground. 

Guest: Advocate Pikkie Greef: National Secretary, SA National Defence Union (Sandu) 

 

The Republic of South Africa has officially acceded to the Establishment Agreement of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), marking a historic milestone in Africa’s economic integration and South Africa’s deepening role in shaping the continent’s financial and trade architecture.   

Guest: Siya Biniza: Executive Director, Political Economy Southern Africa NPC 

A police informant linked to explosive testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has died in what police believe was a suicide, just days after surviving an apparent assassination attempt. Wiandre Pretorius was found dead at a petrol station on the East Rand, raising renewed concerns about the safety of whistleblowers involved in high-profile corruption cases.  

Guest: Tebogo Khaas: Chairperson of Public Interest SA 

 

Civil society organisation WaterCAN warns that the water crisis in parts of Johannesburg has already crossed the threshold of a disaster and is calling on the national government to urgently declare Johannesburg a national disaster area to unlock emergency resources, enforce coordination and protect residents’ dignity and health.  

Guest: David Mahlobo: Deputy Minister, Department of Water & Sanitation  

 

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa

9 February 2026

1.    DR Kongo-MONUSCO- South Africa 

South Africa has announced its withdrawal from a United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office this past weekend had informed the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, of the decision. South Africa has supported the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC for 27 years and has more than 700 soldiers deployed there.

2.    Namibia- Windhoek

 President Nandi-Ndaitwah Pays Tribute to Founding President Sam Nujoma and the Third President Hage Geingob

President Ndaitwah delivered a keynote address at the candlelight remembrance ceremony held in honour of the late Dr Sam Nujoma, Founding President and Father of the Namibian Nation, and Dr Hage Geingob, Third President of the Republic of Namibia.

3.    Zimbabwe- Harare 

Outspoken war Veteran and former Zanu PF Blessed Runesu Geza, popularly known as "Bombshell", has died at a cardiac hospital in South Africa. Mr Geza touched many lives with his fight for justice to ensure that all Zimbabweans realise their aspirations," the family said.

His nickname "Bombshell" reflected his confrontational style and the shockwaves his statements often sent across the country's political landscape.

4.    In our historical archives, it was on this day, 9 February 1955, when, in the early hours, around 2,000 policemen, armed with guns, knobkerries and rifles, forcefully moved the families of Sophiatown to Meadowlands, Soweto. 

Their possessions were loaded at the back of police trucks and dumped in Meadowlands, where they were forced to stay. These families, with their children, were exposed to cold, rainy weather.

 

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter

• Barrick gold plans to spinoff US assets 
• 2. New Chinese chipmaker debuts on Hong Kong stock exchange
• 3. Market update

 

Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has secured a commanding mandate after calling a rare mid-winter snap election, overcoming blizzards, market jitters and geopolitical tensions to deliver her Liberal Democratic Party a landslide victory.  

Guest: Prof David Monyae is the Director for the Centre for Africa-China Studies at the University of Johannesburg 

 

 

Tax professionals are bracing for a major shift in South Africa’s VAT landscape as the South African Revenue Service (Sars) prepares to release the full framework for VAT e-invoicing later this year. The initiative is expected to fundamentally change how VAT data is captured, reported and monitored, with phased implementation beginning this year and full operational capability targeted for 2028. 

Guest: Professor Keith Engel: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), South African Institute of Taxation (SAIT)