Former Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini's application to have her perjury charges discharged has been dismissed in the Johannesburg Magistrates Court. The case relates to her testimony during an inquiry the Constitutional Court had instituted into her role in the 2017 social grants crisis. She is accused of lying under oath. So just how serious is a charge of perjury? And how much prison time is one looking at when faced with such a charge?

Guest: Dr. Llewellyn Curlewis, senior lecturer in criminal and procedural law at the University of Pretoria

Health authorities in the North West have raised concerns about the sharp increase in health workers testing positive for the coronavirus. They say the situation is impacting negatively on the provision of health care services in the province. Last week, 12 health workers tested positive for Covid-19 at Tigane Community Health Centre in Hartebeesfontein, while in the Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital Complex, 49 tested positive.

GUEST: North West Health MEC Madoda Sambatha

Five people have died in a collision between a truck and a sedan in the North West. The provincial department of Community Safety and Transport Management say an investigation of culpable homicide is currently underway, following the incident.

GUEST: Boitshoko Moremi, Spokesperson for the North West department of Community Safety and Transport Management

Twice as many white people compared to South Africans from other race groups, have reported experiencing incidents of racism in the past five years. That's according to results of a research study conducted by the Institute of Race Relations or IRR. The organisation presented its findings during a webinar hosted by the Government Communication and Information Systems, the Departments of Sport Arts and Culture as well as Justice and Constitutional Development. The webinar addressed social cohesion and racism in the country.

GUEST: Gabriel Crouse, Analyst and Head of campaigns at the Institute of Race Relations

We unpack the findings of this year’s South African Reconciliation Barometers Survey Report – which is a document that reflects South Africans understanding of reconciliation, their experience of the COVID-19 pandemic and their views on inter-personal trust, democratic political culture, national identity and the legacies of apartheid. According to the report, South Africans are losing faith in public institutions and more than 72% of the respondents agreed SA still needs reconciliation. But what do you understand about reconciliation? 

Guest: Mikhail Moosa, Project leader: South African Reconciliation Barometer at the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation

World News: An 83 per cent surge in COVID-19 cases during the past week in Africa, driven by the Delta and Omicron variants, is causing fewer deaths than previous spikes. This was revealed by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday this week, also warning that more waves could be on the way, due to the continent’s slow vaccine rollout.

Guest: Dr Thierno Balde, Incident Manager for Covid19 Emergency Response at WHO Africa Region

What are the Tax implications of gifts received from your employers? During these uncertain and challenging times, it's welcoming to receive a token of appreciation from your employer ahead of the festive season. However, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) may expect to share in your good fortune when your company rewards you with a gift voucher, use of company property for the holidays, or something for your spouse or children.

GUEST: Ms Yolandi Esterhuizen, a registered tax practitioner and Director for Product Compliance, at Sage Africa & Middle East

Wild Coast fishing communities of Dwesa-Cwebe, Port St John's and Amadiba in the Eastern Cape have written a scathing open letter to Minister Mantashe following his statements last week - which communities found both insulting and misleading, when he claimed that the people protesting against Shell's seismic survey off the Wild Coast have an "apartheid and colonial" agenda.

Guest: Nonhle Mbuthuma - spokesperson for Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC)

DA leader John Steenhuisen says the party has won its case against Arthur Fraser and his decision to grant medical parole to former President Jacob Zuma. Reacting to the High Court ruling that set aside Arthur Fraser's decision to release Zuma on medical parole, Steenhuisen says the judgment is a big victory for the rule of law and the principle of equality before the law.

GUEST: The Chairperson of the Federal Council of the Democratic Alliance (DA), Helen Zille

Former president Jacob Zuma will appeal a court order which has set aside his medical parole. The High Court in Pretoria has ordered former president Jacob Zuma to go back to prison. It has ruled that former National Commissioner of Correctional Services Arthur Fraser's decision to place Zuma on medical parole was unlawful. This follows Zuma's 15-month prison sentence for contempt of court, after he refused to continue to appear before the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture. So will Zuma be going back to jail? And what will happen to Arthur Fraser?

GUEST: Ulrich Roux, Who is the founder and managing director of Ulrich Roux & Associates