Today, KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane tabled her department’s budget policy statement which among other things focused on the recent floods that swept away many homes and killed at least 435 people, with many still yet to be accounted for. Knowing that her department’s budget allocation has been reduced by R16 billion over the past three years, the MEC is worried that they may find it very difficult to fulfil their mandate as the province is still recovering from the devastation caused by the COVID – 19 and last year’s July unrest. She joins us now to elaborate more….

Guest: Nomagugu Simelane, KZN Health MEC

ANC caucus leader Mpho Moerane is in a critical condition in hospital following a car accident on Monday night. Moerane is the former Johannesburg Mayor. He had replaced the late Johannesburg mayor Jolidee Matongo who also passed away last year in a car crash, before handing over the city to current Mayor Mpho Phalatse. We are now joined by Gauteng ANC’s Spokesperson Sasabona Manganye.

Earlier on today, the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate announced that they are going to pursue 20 state capture corruption cases. Making this announcement, National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi said they have evidence and plans in place to bring the seminal corruption cases to court within three to six months. For more on this, we are joined by…..

Guest: Sindisiwe Seboka, Spokesperson for NPA's Investigative Directorate

ActionSA has announced that it will be seeking leave to join legal action instituted against the Minister of Health by DearSA and Afriforum. The party is worried that the regulations give the Minister powers to create and amend legislation at whim, with no accountability mechanisms for the abuse of such sweeping powers. 

Guest: Adv Gill Benson, ActionSA’s Member of Senate & Head of Strategic Litigation

Liz Truss, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom is planning to introduce a new legislation that will change certain key parts of the Northern Ireland protocol; however, she faces opposition over proposals to unilaterally scrap post-Brexit deal. In its current form, the protocol effectively creates checks on goods flowing from Great Britain to Northern Ireland to allow an open border with Ireland. To explain what this possible change of protocol will mean for the UK and Northern Ireland is….

Guest on the line (Scotland): Musa Mdunge, Political analyst & PhD candidate based at the University of Dundee

Eskom’s Generation Executive Phillip Dukashe has resigned from his position and will be leaving the power utility at the end of the month. Eskom released a statement announcing Dukashe will be replaced by Rhulani Mathebula in the meantime. The company says Dukashe cited his need to balance health, family and work responsibilities. What does this mean for an Eskom that has been rolling blackouts for the past few months? We are now joined by Energy analyst, Roger Lilley.

Six people dies this weekend in a mass shooting in Khayelitsha’s Site C informal settlements. Police were called to come to the corner of Maphongwana and Idada street where community members found five bodies of people who had been shot. The sixth person was rushed to the hospital, but was declared dead on arrival. It is suspected the murders could be linked to extortion networks. We are now joined by Ndithini Tyhido, Chairperson of the Khayelitsha Development Forum.

As KwaZulu-Natal schools continue to recover from the devastating floods. Last week Friday, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Education, Kwazi Mshengu presented his department’s Budget Speech in the Pietermaritzburg Legislature. He joins us now to outline his department’s priorities and he will also share his plans in terms of how schools will start the rebuilding process.

Guest: KwaZi Mshengu, MEC for Education KZN

It has been an eventful political weekend in the Eastern Cape marred by heightened security risks and failed court cases, but in the end, Oscar Mabuyane has been re-elected as the ANC Chairperson. What also shocked many, is the nomination of Zolile Williams from the floor to challenge Andile Lungisa and subsequently winning against him. Helen Sauls-August was also re-elected deputy secretary with 805 votes. This elective conference has also raised ethical question around the involvement of municipality staff in political party leadership while still in office. We are now joined by SABC News Reporter, Samkele Maseko.

Still sticking to that ANC Eastern Cape elective conference. What direction are we likely to see the province taking, both politically and in terms of service delivery, considering the people who were elected this past weekend. And is it ethical for municipal staff to contest for political power while still in office? Guest: political economy professor Kwandiwe Kondlo.