South Africa’s Victims’ Charter is designed to ensure that people who suffer crime are treated with dignity, given information and support, and protected throughout the criminal justice process. But with many victims still facing delays, poor communication and secondary victimisation, the big question is whether these rights are actually being delivered on the ground. 

GUEST: Eunice Poto - Legal Administration Officer at department of Justice and Constitutional Development

More than 2,000 mothers in the Western Cape have now enrolled in the Khulisa Care pilot, which is testing whether better nutrition and community healthcare support can give babies a stronger start in life. 

GUEST: Mireille Wenger – MEC of the Department of Health and Wellness in the Western Cape

As the South African public broadcaster marks 90 years of connecting with audiences, the big question is whether it still holds its place in an age dominated by social media, podcasts and digital streaming. Our guest wrote a reflective piece on this, he joins us to unpack it…

GUEST: Robert Kigongo – Sustainable Development Analyst and Writer based in Uganda

Public Protector, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, released a Section 7(9) notice today, setting out findings of systemic deficiencies in the administration, governance, funding, co-ordination and oversight of student financial aid. According to findings cited by the Public Protector in an investigation into the National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), more than 40 000 students at 76 higher education institutions were improperly funded to the value of about R5.1 billion. 

GUEST: Advocate Dinkie Dube, Deputy Public Protector of South Africa

President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia has won the elections, giving him five more years in power. The Zambian economy has been performing relatively well, with the Zambian Kwacha often stronger than the South African Rand, a development most Zambians celebrate. Notwithstanding, Zambia remains poor and underdeveloped; Hakainde has a tremendous amount of work ahead of him.

GUEST: Thembisa Fakude, Senior Research Fellow at Africa Asia Dialogues (Afrasid)

Shortly before proceedings got underway this morning, a fire alarm went off at the Brigitte Mabandla College where the Madlanga Commission is housed, sending commission officials, attendees and journalists outside as a precaution. The alert forced the temporary evacuation of the hearing venue just before alleged criminal kingpin, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, was expected to testify. Tshwane Emergency Services firefighters responded to the scene, while a heavy police presence remained at the venue. The EMS team assured everyone the building was safe and proceedings continued with Vusimuzi ‘CAT’ Matlala starting his testimony…

GUEST: Andy Mashaile, Security Strategist

A large police contingent was deployed outside the Durban City Hall ahead of the march by the anti-undocumented immigration movement. March and March leaders are had a march to highlight their grievances over undocumented migrants to SADC leaders gathered at the International Convention Centre for the 46th SADC Summit.

GUEST: Zanele Buthelezi, SABC News Reporter in KwaZulu-Natal

NSFAS running into a structural funding gap of about R15 billion, driven by rising demand for student funding while government allocations have not increased at the same pace. Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela has warned that government may have to reconsider how “free higher education” is funded if the gap continues growing. NSFAS approved funding for more than 660,000 students in 2026. NSFAS is facing an estimated R15 billion funding shortfall, raising serious concerns about the sustainability of South Africa’s fee-free higher education policy. Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela has warned that the growing number of students entering universities and TVET colleges is putting increasing pressure on the state’s ability to fund student financial aid.

GUEST: Tebogo Letsie, Chair of Portfolio Commission on Higher Education

The alleged “beds-for-cash” system and claims of sexual coercion at Tshwane’s Kgosi Mampuru II prison have raised serious concerns about prison governance, inmate safety and human rights. Former inmates allege they were forced to pay for beds, while overcrowding and poor conditions remain major challenges. The Department of Correctional Services says the allegations are serious and will be investigated. Serious allegations about conditions inside the Kgosi Mampuru II prison in Tshwane, particularly cells C1 and C2. Former inmates claim prisoners were allegedly required to pay R240 for a bunk bed and mattress, with those unable to pay reportedly forced to sleep on the concrete floor in overcrowded and unhygienic conditions.

GUEST: Prof Thabiso Matshaba, Unisa's College of Law School of Criminal Justice

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has taken an early lead in the country’s presidential election, putting him on course for a possible first-round victory. With results from 135 of 226 constituencies counted, Hichilema had secured 1,544,140 votes (58.87%), ahead of his closest challenger, Brian Mundubile, who had 1,030,662 votes. A candidate needs more than 50% of valid votes to avoid a run-off. The election was largely peaceful on voting day, but the campaign period was marked by allegations of intimidation, arrests, abductions and political violence. A polling agent was also killed after being attacked, with nine suspects arrested.

GUEST: Moses (Pseudo Name) Due to the safety concerns of the journalist we will not be using his real name