The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirms that, following years of investigation and legal processes, a decision has been taken to prosecute individuals implicated in the tragic deaths of mental healthcare users during the Life Esidimeni transfers.

The Life Esidimeni tragedy, which unfolded between 2015 and 2016, resulted in the deaths of at least 141 vulnerable psychiatric patients after their unlawful removal from licensed care facilities to unregistered and ill-equipped NGOs. The matter has since stood as one of the most serious human rights violations in democratic South Africa.

For nearly a decade, families of the deceased have endured prolonged delays in the pursuit of justice. These delays were occasioned by the complexity of the case, the scale of the evidence, and the necessity of ensuring a thorough and legally sound process. The NPA acknowledges the pain and frustration experienced by affected families during this period.  Delay in communicating the final decision taken by the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions was that it had to be endorsed by the NDPP who retired at the end of January 2026, and the incoming NDPP, Advocate A Mothibi had to be briefed about the decision.

Guest: Rashieda Landis - Mother to one of the survivors of the Tragic Unprecedented Life Esidimeni Case 

Municipal Watch: The Northern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance has given Sol Plaatje Municipality 14 days to explain why it should not be placed under administration after failing to fix ongoing governance failures.

Guest:  Boyce Makodi - From the Kimberley Action Group  

Guest: Cllr. Heinrich Pieterse, Democratic Alliance Caucus Leader in the Sol Plaatje Municipality 

Guest:  Bafedile Lenkoe - Head of Department in the Northern Cape Department of Cooperative  Governance and Traditional Affairs 

The Reality Check: Why must ubuntu be the basis for African socialism?

Guest: Prof Mathole Motshekga – Founder pf the Kara Institute and African Heritage Group

The assassination of Emfuleni municipal finance official Martha Rantsofu in Vanderbijlpark has once again raised chilling questions about the safety of those who speak out against corruption. What happens to your life — both personally and professionally — the moment you decide to blow the whistle?

Guest: Cynthis Stimpel. Director of Courage Hub SA. SAA Whistleblower. Advocating for whistleblowers.

 

The assassination of Emfuleni municipal finance official Martha Rantsofu in Vanderbijlpark has once again raised chilling questions about the safety of those who speak out against corruption. Why has it become so easy to carry out killings in South Africa?

Guest: Chad Thomas - Director of IRS Forensics 

Escalating global tensions are starting to ripple across both the economy and security landscape: oil prices are climbing after Middle East peace talks collapsed and fears of a Strait of Hormuz blockade grow.

Guest: Thembisa Fakude - Senior Research Fellow and Director at Africa Asia Dialogues 

 

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

14 April 2026

1.    Kenya – Ethiopia / Afrikan Union 

Afrikan Union (AU) not fit, lacks capacity to provide leadership Africa needs

Kenyan President William Ruto has declared that the African Union, AU, in its current form, is “not fit for purpose,” stating that it lacks the capacity to provide the leadership Africa needs as it heads into a future marked by rapid demographic growth, complex security threats, geopolitical shifts, and economic ambitions.

2.    Malawi- Lilongwe 

Malawian police arrested the former finance minister on suspicion of money laundering and abuse of office, in the latest move in a widening post-election crackdown on former senior officials.

Simplex Chithyola, the leader of the opposition in the current parliament, handed himself to police after learning he was being sought by investigators, his lawyer, George Kadzipatike, 

3.Pope Leo XIV - Italy- Afrika Tour ( Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea) 

Pope Leo XIV has begun a historic visit to Algeria, marking the first-ever papal trip to the country and launching an 11-day African tour focused on interfaith dialogue and regional engagement.

The visit is aimed at promoting Christian-Muslim coexistence amid global tensions, while also honouring Saint Augustine, whose spiritual legacy is closely tied to the region.

1. In our historical archives, it was on this day 14 April 1942 when Dr Zola Sidney Themba Skweyiya, was born in Simonstown, Western Cape) (Ekapa). Until 1985, Skweyiya was the ANC's representative at the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), before being recalled to Lusaka to set up the ANC's Legal and Constitutional Department.  In 1986, he was deputy chair of the ANC's constitutional committee with members such as Jack Simons, Kader Asmal and Albie Sachs

 

The assassination of Emfuleni municipal finance official Martha Rantsofu in Vanderbijlpark has once again raised chilling questions about the safety of those who speak out against corruption. 

Guest: Klippies Kritzinger, CEO of Vaal Business Cooperation (VBC) who knew Martha Rantsofu

Guest: Beatrice Moilwa - Founder of Khutsong Empowerment Centre

Social Development Minister Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe has condemned the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl, with a 58-year-old suspect arrested and support provided to the victim in Dobsonville, Soweto. The incident has also triggered outrage over the circulation of graphic content online, raising concerns about victim dignity and legal consequences. 

 

 

The Briefing Debate: Should South Africa have a National Minimum Wage and is the latest increase helping or hurting the country?

Guest: Matthew Parks, Parliamentary Coordinator for Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU)

Guest: Zwelinzima Vavi, General Secretary of the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU)

Guest: Zakhele Mthembu, Policy Officer at the Free Market Foundation