The late release of dead bodies at the Hillbrow Mortuary has affected the business of undertakers in Johannesburg. Undertakers say the mortuary is keeping bodies in for way too long before releasing them to families. Some bodies had already decomposed by the time they were released. This is due to a shortage of pathologists to perform autopsies from people who died from unnatural causes. We’re bow joined by Thembalethu Mpahlaza, Acting CEO for Forensic Medical Services.

South Africa continues to experience an increase in shack fires and related emergencies during these extremely cold temperatures. Earlier on today, four people died in two separate shack fires reported in the City of Johannesburg. Just this past weekend, six people died in a shack fire in Khayelitsha. City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi has urged South Africans to take extra care during the current cold spell. But what more can be done to prevent shack fires?

GUEST: Robert Mulaudzi, Spokesperson for the City of Joburg’s Emergency Management Services

Advocate Zandile Mshololo who represents accused number five in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial has wrapped up her cross-examination of police Cellphone Records Analyst, Colonel Lambertus Steyn. Earlier on Mshololo asked what the significance was of Steyn including cellphone pictures of accused number three in his evidence. Five men are on trial in the Pretoria High Court for the murder of the football star in 2014. 

GUEST: Horisiani Sithole, SABC News reporter

The United States has urged the Taliban authorities to reverse policies responsible for the deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan, particularly for women, girls, and vulnerable communities. Senior representatives of the two countries met recently in Doha to discuss matters of critical interests in Afghanistan. Joining us to explain the significance of this meeting is….

GUEST: Ebrahim Deen, Independent Researcher

We continue to get calls from our listeners about being defunded by NSFAS halfway through the year. We spoke to our listener, Muvhango earlier about his case. We’ve got NSFAS spokesperson, Slumezi Skosana on the line to clarify what the rules are and why people are being defunded. This is an extension of a conversation KG Moeketsi had with NSFAS last week on the Talking Point.

The African Transformation Movement is challenging acting Public Protector, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka’s report on Phala Phala. The party has filed court papers at the Gauteng High Court. It says there are some critical arguments it believes should be considered by the court because they are falwed. We’re now joined by ATM Spokesperson, Zama Ntshona.

Will the United Nations Human Rights Council have jurisdiction over the case the Democratic Alliance wants to open against the EFF? DA leader, John Steenhuisen announced that his party would be laying charges against the EFF for singing the song ‘Kill the Boer’ during this past weekend’s 10th anniversary celebration. Malema had previously been taken to court over the song and the Equality Court ruled that ‘Kill the Boer’ is no hate speech. We’re now joined by Professor André Thomashausen, Unisa’s Professor Emeritus of Comparative and International Law.

The department of education in Limpopo has started book clubs to improve reading and writing at rural schools. The initiative is aimed at motivating learners from all grades to develop interest in expanding their knowledge through reading. To tell us more about this initiative is….

GUEST: Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya, MEC for Education in Limpopo

The Economic Freedom Fighters hosted a successful 10 anniversary this past weekend. The party filled FNB Stadium that takes over 90 000 people. The celebration was attended by leaders from other political parties as well as supporters from other countries. Party leader, Julius Malema gave an electrifying speech that stunned crowds as he ended it with a microphone drop while being elevated on a red platform. He promised an efficient government should his party be voted into leadership and took a swipe at both President Cyril Ramaphosa and Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi. To reflect on this weekend’s event and the kind of response it has received, we’re now joined by political analyst, Asanda Ngoasheng.  

As abortion politics intensify in the US, the impact will be felt in Africa too. The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, known as PEPFAR is at the centre of a the debate about abortion and Republicans are threatening to pull the plug on the programme, arguing it is indirectly being used to support abortions. The programme funds up to 15% of the health budget in South Africa and has saved millions of lives on the continent as well. Youth development organisation, Youth Health Africa says  the withdrawal of Pepfar would have a colossal impact and reverse the gains made in the fight against HIV/Aids in South Africa in the last 20 years. We’re now joined by Youth Health Africa CEO, Bulelani Kuwane.