The 14th edition of the Transparency International Report (TI) has revealed that South Africa’s record of enforcement and prosecution against foreign bribery remains woefully low. The report compels all countries assessed to do much more to enforce against foreign bribery, outlining some key measures to improve enforcement. To tell us more about the outcomes of the report is ….. 

GUEST: Karam Singh, Executive Director at Corruption Watch  

Twenty suspects have been arrested  during a joint operation against illegal mining led by the Hawks in the North West. The suspected illegal miners were arrested in Stillfontein. At least fifteen firearms and an undisclosed amount of money was recovered and more suspects could still get arrested. For more on that, we are now joined by police spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale.

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has revealed that South Africa is one of the countries that has witnessed an increase in cyber-related incidents due to COVID-19. According to the council, one of the reasons for the increase in cyberattacks since the pandemic is that many people moved away from more secure offices and networks to working from home where there was less security. 

GUEST: Billy Petzer, Research Group Leader in the Information and Cyber Security Centre at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 

What are some of the lessons we can take from the ban of tobacco sale during Covid-19 lockdowns? Tobacco Manufacturers say the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill could strengthen the illicit trade market. Through the bill, government wants to control where people can smoke and how tobacco is packaged. If passed into law, it will make it illegal for people to smoke indoors, and ban cigarette sale in vending machines. Tobacco manufacturers say while they welcome the bill, it needs to be amended because overregulation of the industry will not only cost people their jobs, it will strengthen the black market.

Guest: Sinenhlanhla Mnguni, Chairperson of the Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association. 

The department of Social Development is calling on caregivers for orphaned children to apply for the Child Support Grant Top-Up at their nearest SASSA offices. Minister Lindiwe Zulu says this is not a new grant, but an addition to the existing grant. The additional amount is R240, and will take the amount up from R480 to R720. Caregivers will have to give proof that the child is orphaned by producing a death certificate. Those who only have one parent will have to complete an affidavit available at SASSA offices.

guest: Dr Maureen Mogotsi, Director for Children and Family Benefits at the Department of Social Development

Suspended Pretoria chief magistrate Desmond Nair appeared in the commercial crimes court in Pretoria this morning on charges of corruption. According to the NPA’s Investigating Directorate, Nair stands accused of accepting security upgrades worth R200 000 for his home in Silverton. For more on this, we are now joined by….. 

GUEST: Sindisiwe Seboka: Spokesperson for the NPA’s Investigating Directorate

The Democratic Alliance has warned motorists in Gauteng to expect the introduction of a new or increased tax to pay for e-Tolls. Apparently, the new Premier of Gauteng Panyaza Lesufi intends to introduce a new revenue model that will take care of the costs incurred by SANRAL. To tell us more about this pending proposal is ……. 

GUEST: Fred Nel, DA’s Shadow MEC for Roads and Transport in Gauteng

A recently founded party (the Revolution For Prosperity) looks set to win Lesotho's parliamentary election. By yesterday afternoon, results showed that the party had secured 41 seats, the minimum required to reach a simple majority. The current ruling party All Basotho Convention (ABC), was faring badly. While the Democratic Congress (DC), the main opposition party and member of the coalition government, is running a distant second to the RFP in the race. Rapelang Radebe joins us now to give us the latest ……. 

GUEST: Rapelang Radebe, SABC Correspondent  

General elections are currently underway in Lesotho. The All Basotho Convention (ABC) has been ruling the country since 2017, but divisions within the party have led to multiple splits that will likely compromise its status as the biggest party. On the other hand, another serious contender is the Democratic Congress party, which has so far managed to hold the centre despite losing some key members to newly formed parties. So who is likely to take this one? We find out from …… 

GUEST: Rapelang Radebe, SABC Corresponded based in Lesotho 

It was only a matter of time before mobile companies started pushing back against Icasa’s proposed new regulation to not let mobile data and airtime expire before 6 months. MTN is objecting to the proposed draft amendments to the End-User and Subscriber Service Charter Regulations of 2016. The proposed law says mobile operators should not allow prepaid data, airtime and voice bundled to expire before 6 months unless consumers bought promotional packages. The company says the proposed law is biased towards consumers and does not consider commercial interests of businesses. MTN has sent a submission to Icasa asking for balance in the regulation, taking the interests of both consumers and the business interests if mobile operators.

Guest: Jan Vermeulen, MyBroadband Editor