On World News today we focus on Zim food crisis: A UN study has found that poverty has reached unprecedented levels in Zimbabwe, with more than 70% of Zimbabwean children in rural areas living in poverty. The report, compiled by Unicef and the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency, shows high levels of privation in rural areas, where 76.3% of children live in abject poverty.

Guest: Eddie Cross, Zimbabwean economist

Former Truth and Reconciliation Commission commissioner, Yasmin Sooka shares thoughts on Neil Aggett’s inquest that is currently underway. Sooka has been working with former apartheid cops and she is calling on remaining members of the former Security Branch to come forward and tell the truth, saying "even minor information is important".

Guest: Yasmin Sooka, Executive Director @ Foundation for Human Rights & former TRC Commissioner

How will the revelations at the Zondo Commission of inquiry affect KZN’s political heavy weights? This week, the commission of inquiry into state capture started hearing testimony on the so-called ‘Amigos case’ implicating KwaZulu-Natal African National Congress (ANC) politicians, namely; Mike Mabuyakhulu and Peggy Nkonyeni. The case relates to tenders for the supply of water purification and oxygen plants to KwaZulu-Natal’s health and local government departments.

Guest: Xolani Dube, Researcher and political analyst from the XUBERA Institute for Research and Development

Gender activists came out strongly against the ANC over the reported barring of spokesperson Sizophila Mkhize from entering the venue of the party’s NEC lekgotla. The move received criticism on social media and other platforms. This time around, Sonke Gender Justice says it is appalled by this and would like the ANC to publicly condemn all those who were involved.

Guest: Patrick Godana - Eastern Cape Provincial Manager at Sonke Gender Justice

The South African Communist Party (SACP) is picketing outside the US Embassy in Pretoria - calling for an end to tensions between Iran and Washington. The demonstration is in response to America's recent military attack in Iraq - that killed Iranian top General, Qasem Soleimani. Washington blamed Soleimani for masterminding attacks by Iran-aligned militias against US forces in the Middle East. Iran responded to the killing of Soleimani by launching missile strikes on US targets in Iraq -although no US soldiers were killed.

Guest: Solly Mapaila - The SACP's Deputy General Secretary

We look at the findings of the Corruption Perceptions Index Report. This year’s report highlights the importance of the relationship between money, political power and corruption. Further analysis shows how corruption is more pervasive in countries where big money can flow freely into electoral campaigns.

Guest: David Lewis, Executive Director @ Corruption Watch

In conversation with former Johannesburg Mayor, Herman Mashaba who this week revealed that he has formed his new political party, The People's Dialogue. He will talk to us about his recent announcement that he will be helping the families of Lily Mine employees in their bid to retrieve the bodies of their relatives that are buried underground.

Guest : Herman Mashaba, founder of The People’s Dialogue

Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has decided to suspend Tshwane speaker Katlego Mathebe and Johannesburg speaker Vasco Da Gama for six months and three months respectively. In light of the chaos during a special council sitting on 16 January, Cogta said their conclusion was informed by the sequence of events that led to the collapse of the council meeting.

Guest: Lebogang Maile, Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

The Gauteng Health Department has outlined the measures it's taking to prevent further infections at Tembisa Hospital's prenatal unit. These include the deployment of more nurses and resources by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases. This after 17 cases of - what is suspected to be - Klebsiella pneumonia were reported late last year, resulting in the deaths of 10 babies. The bacteria are resistant to antibiotics and causes infections in the blood steam, lungs and urinary tract - including pneumonia and meningitis.

Guests: Simphiwe Gada

The DA has officially laid corruption charges against the Mayor of George in the Southern Cape, as well as a number of senior municipal officials and business people. Melvin Naik is also accused of interference in administrative processes. The DA says a forensic report found substantive evidence of criminal activity against Naik. He was voted in as mayor in the DA run municipality following the 2016 local government elections.

Guest: Geordin Hill-Lewis – DA’s George constituency Head