Seven opposition parties have decided to hold President Cyril Ramaphosa accountable over the Phala Phala scandal. They held a meeting on Wednesday and unanimously to challenge the concealment of the president’s responses to the public protector. They also express dissatisfaction with how the speaker of parliament has handled the issue. So what will they be doing? We are now joined by UDM leader, General Bantu Holomisa.

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority has confirmed that a person died of Guillain-Barré syndrome that was causally linked to receiving the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine, following a prolonged hospital stay.  Guillain-Barré syndrome has been identified before as a possible side-effect of the vaccine and as a post-infection complication of Covid-19. 

Guest: Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa - SAMA chairperson to understand more about this rare disease and how the public can identify early symptoms.

Kagiso Township residents took to the streets early this morning blocking entrances and exit routes in the township. The protestors also demolished and burnt dwelling structures believed to belong to the Zama Zamas in the area. Residents have been hunting down the Zama Zamas since early this morning, in an operation that rapidly escalated, leaving one person dead.

The Russian Federation says the tension over Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan shouldn't be underestimated. The Kremlin says it supports the One China principle and respects the sovereignty of China. Russia described the visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan as “purely provocative,” expressing solidarity with China and accusing the United States of choosing “the path of confrontation” in the region.

Guest: SABC International reporter Khayalihle Khumalo

Residents of Tembisa in Ekhuruleni took to the streets this week in a destructive protest against what they say is against exorbitant electricity prices,  electricity cuts and taxi fare hikes. The protest has resulted in several cars and buildings, including a community centre being set alight, leaving four people dead. Gauteng Gogta MEC Lebogang Maile and Ekhuruleni Mayor Tania Campbell have met with the community. 

The impeachment inquiry into suspended Public Protector, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane continued today. The inquiry heard that Mkhwebane never harassed staff members in her office, but instead, she was tough because she wanted to clear the backlog on investigations. This was shared by Executive Manager Futana Tebele. Tebele was refuting claims made by some of the previous witnesses who gave testimony at the inquiry. What else happened today?

Guest: SABC News Political Reporter, Joseph Mosia.

The Constitutional Court has declined that the barring of foreign nationals from being admitted to legal profession is not unconstitutional. The outcome follows a group of foreign nationals, who were fighting to be admitted and enrolled as legal practitioners in South Africa.

Guest: Professor Karthy Govender, Constitutional Law Expert.

What are some of the issues with the plan to construct a gas to power plan by Eskom in Richards Bay? The High Court in Pretoria has reserved judgment in a challenge against the plan. Civil society organisations, South Durban Community Environmental Alliance and groundWork argue there are many loopholes in the power utility’s 3000MW proposed power plant that it wants to construct in the area. The organisations want the court to declare the environmental authorisation unlawful. They argue the impact of the construction was not carefully considered and that public consultations were not conducted in IsiZulu, despite the fact that over 70 of the population in the are where the station will be build speaks the language.

Guest:  Avena Jacklin, from GroundWork, Friends of the Earth South Africa.   

Leaders of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa say their national leadership is interfering in the region’s affairs. They also say they are being targeted for their stance on the recent congress that they want invalidated. The trade union held its 11th congress last month despite attempts to stop it. The Western Cape region is one of two regions that staged a walk out during the congress. So how exactly is national leadership interfering?

Guest:  Numsa’s Western Cape Regional Secretary, Vuyo Lufele

Suspects arrested following the gang rape of eight women in Krugersdorp’s West Village have been appearing individually before the Krugersdorp Magistrate Court. The suspects were arrested on charges related to being in the country illegally, and understood that more charges will be added pending the outcome of DNA testing. Gauteng Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela has stated that the police have a strong case based on the evidence collected.