The Democratic Alliance has opened a criminal case against former director-general at the Department of Correctional Services and former DG of the State Security Agency (SSA), Arthur Fraser, regarding irregularities during his time at the SSA. The party says millions of rand, if not billions, were reportedly siphoned off or spent irregularly during Fraser’s time.

Guest: Dianne Kohler Barnard, DA MP

Forty years after anti-apartheid activist, trade unionist and medical doctor, Dr Neil Aggett was found hanging in his cell at the notorious John Vorster Square police station, the Johannesburg High Court has ruled that his death was not a result of suicide. This morning, Judge Motsamai Makume delivered judgment in the reopened inquest into Aggett’s death back in 1982. The judge ruled that Aggett’s death was a cover-up by the then Security Branch of the South African Police. 

GUEST: Prof Raymond Suttner - Researcher, analyst, Emeritus Professor at Unisa

On Tuesday the 1st of March, the Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development hosted a welcoming ceremony for the deployment of 14 Compulsory Community Services Veterinarians (CCS Vets) to the province.

The announcement on the deployment received a negative response from a group of students who were sent by the Free State Provincial Government to study and obtain a Veterinary Medicine degree in Russia. The students have raised a number of concerns and one of them being the fact that they are overlooked because, while they were studying in Russia, the department did not submit the required curriculum documentation to SAVC - the South African Veterinary Council - to ensure that their foreign qualifications were verified. 

We have one of the students on the line, he is among those who commented on the department's social media posts. 

GUEST: (Dr) Tshepang Mofokeng - He is a qualified Vet who was sent by the F.S Government to study in China Russia 

Earlier on today, Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla announced that children aged 10 to 14 have been recording the highest percentage of positive Covid-19 tests. But what really informs this worrying trend?

Guest: Dr Joe Phaahla, Minister of Health  

An uproar has ensued in Limpopo, following provincial government’s plan to hire foreign nationals in public service. Recently, Health Department in the province issued a circular advertising low level jobs. The circular had a clause that allowed foreign nationals to also apply – however this caused a furore among South Africans who felt they can’t compete for such posts with foreigners. For more on this, we are joined by……

Guest: Dr Phophi Ramathuba, Health MEC in Limpopo

The US has extended sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by one year, accusing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime of implementing policies that threaten America’s foreign policy. Joining us to react to this is…..

Guest: Kennedy Mandaza, ZANU PF spokesperson based in South Africa

We now focus on the Zulu royal family dispute: It’s public knowledge that the Zulu monarchy has been plunged into controversy following (ukukhothama kweSilo) the death of King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu. So post yesterday’s court ruling, we now know that Prince Misuzulu kaZwelithini may soon be enthroned king of the Zulu nation. But what exactly did the court say in relation to the late king’s estate and how will yesterday’s court ruling affect the royal family moving forward.

Guest: Adv Lesala Mofokeng, is based at the University Of KwaZulu-Natal School Of Law

Guest: Prince Thulani Zulu

Why coherence is important in communication? We try to make sense of the mixed messages from the South African government and look at the negative effects this may have on brand South Africa and the country’s international standing. We all know that mmessages that contain inconsistencies could cause severe embarrassment to the government and it can never be disputed that to be legitimate players in public spheres, governments need to develop and maintain effective communication capacity which therefore means that the lack of professionalism in government communication presents a serious challenge. I’m sure many of you have been staggered by the country’s disjointed set of messages – by why is this? Joining us for this conversation is……

Guest: Makhosini Mgitywa, Independent political commentator

The 10 men arrested in connection with the deadly Rosettenville shooting were back in court today. The group, allegedly set to commit a cash-in-transit heist on the day, are facing a string of charges. Four of the 10 have been ordered to prove that they are in South Africa legally.  

The men face eight counts of murder, as well as charges of attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, possession of explosives, possession of hijacked vehicles, and conspiracy to commit a cash-in-transit heist. 

Guest: National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane

Teaching and learning has been brought to a halt by parents of pupils at Sele Primary School in Tekamahala Village in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga. The angry parents accuse  the department of education of failing to fulfil its promise to rebuild their dilapidated school. Majority of classes at this school have cracks on the floors. Apparently the department has been promising to refurbish this school for more than five years now. 

The parents decided to take their children home for safety reasons. They say they don't want discussions with the department, they only want to see a site handover and contractors working to fix the school. 

GUEST: Tshegofatso Motene - Member of the School Governing Body