Cervical cancer is preventable and treatable if diagnosed early and treated timely. This is according to Merck & Dohme (MSD) South Africa, a global biopharmaceutical Company committed to providing a range of medications and vaccines that address various health issues. Yet in South Africa, it remains a leading cancer killer among women especially. Today, with powerful tools, elimination is within reach. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Managing Director at MSD SA, Zwelethu Bashman

Police have confirmed that one of the men implicated at the Madlanga Commission has taken his own life. 41-year-old Wiandre Pretorious allegedly shot himself at a filling station in Brakpan East of Johannesburg in front of his partner, a police sergeant. Marius van der Merwe who testified under the name of Witness D, implicated Pretorius in the murder of a man in April 2022. On Thursday, he survived an attempt on his life outside his Boksburg home where gunmen fired 16 bullets into his car. For more on this, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Police Spokesperson, Brig Athlenda Mathe

Kaizer Chiefs, who were knocked out of the local Nedbank Cup this week despite being crowned champions last season, will look to put a smile on their fans faces in Polokwane, Limpopo TODAY when they face Al Masry in a crucial group stage game of the CAF Confederations Cup. The match will be broadcast live on SABC 1 at 3pm. Stellenboch FC, who shocked many local fans with their 2-nil victory over Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup, will also be in action in the Confederations Cup away from home against AS Otohô at the Stade Alphonse Massamba-Débat in Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo. Meanwhile, Bafana Ba Style's and Pretoria Giants, Mamelodi Sundowns will be looking to bounce back against Saint-Eloi Lupopo at the Stade TP Mazembe in the Democratic Republic of Congo after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Al-Hilal SC last week. For more on all these crucial continental games, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SABC soccer analyst, Mathews Mpete

Judges' Secretary, Andiswa Mengo's lawyers are gearing up to make submissions to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on the Judicial Conduct Tribunal Report outcome against Judge President Selby Mbenenge, which they charge "romanticises sexual harassment in the workplace". This, after the Tribunal Report recommended a lesser sanction of misconduct against the Eastern Cape's top judge, which effectively saves him from possible impeachment. The report is now in the hands of the JSC -- who hold the final cards on whether they will uphold the recommendation or reach a different conclusion. Canny Maphanga filed this report

Several communities across Gauteng say they are still battling with crippling water cuts and shortages, despite numerous government interventions over the past few years. Severely affected areas include Midrand, Melville, Selby, Sedibeng and Hammanskraal, amongst others. Water experts say ongoing water issues in the province can be directly attributed to a combination of ageing infrastructure and the lack of planning for the growing population of the province. Sashin Naidoo reports

SAPS Section Head for Quality Management Brigadier Rachel Matjeng concluded her testimony at the Madlanga Commission on Friday. Matjeng was extensively questioned about her relationship with Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala. She testified that while she was in a romantic relationship with Matlala she did not assist him in attaining an SAPS tender. This despite overwhelming evidence suggesting her active involvement in Matlala's SAPS tender processes. Besides tender manipulation and romantic connections, Brigadier Rachel Matjeng's testimony was also peppered with other issues that ignited social media ranging from weight loss medication to Brazilian butt lifts. Our reporter Sibahle Motha gives us this report followed by a discussion with the Director of the Centre for the Advancement of Non-Racialism and Democracy at the Nelson Mandela University, Professor Bheki Mngomezulu and Senior Researcher in the Centre of Criminology at the University of Cape Town, Dr Simon Howell

South Africa will pull all it's troops out from the DRC and end it's contribution to MONUSCO. In a statement released LAST NIGHT the Presidency said President Cyril Ramaphosa has informed United Nations Secretary‑Genera Antonio Guterres of government's decision to withdraw its contribution of 700 soldiers to the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo - MONUSCO . South Africa will work jointly with the UN to finalise the timelines and other modalities of the withdrawal, which will be completed before the end of 2026. In a brief statement Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President acknowledges that budgetary considerations played a major part in the decision to withdraw. Bongiwe Zwane further engaged with by Ricardo Teixeira, Defence analyst at the Institute for Race Relations

Four years after a devastating fire ripped through South Africa's Parliament, destroying the National Assembly as well as the Old Assembly chambers and displacing lawmakers, a new chapter is beginning. On Friday, Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson handed over a newly constructed Dome to National Assembly Speaker, Thoko Didiza. It's a temporary but fully functional structure that will host parliamentary sittings, including the upcoming State of the Nation Address debates. The project, completed in just more than ten weeks, is being presented as a critical step in restoring normal parliamentary business. Mkhokheli Bandla reports

Food insecurity in South Africa is worsening, even among households that are already receiving food aid. This is according to the latest report by FoodForward South Africa  in colloboration with the University of Cape Town's Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit. The report further revealed that seventy percent of surveyed households in the report face moderate to severe food insecurity while one in four go entire days without food. For more on this, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Fund Development Manager for FoodForward SA, Bobbie Jacobs

As South Africans continue to grapple with a high cost of living, the Department of Employment and Labour recently announced a 5% increase to the National Minimum Wage, raising it to R30.23 per hour effective 1 March 2026. While the government frames this as a necessary shield for vulnerable workers, critics argue that these figures still fall dangerously short of what is actually required to lead a dignified life in today's economy. Is this an effective step toward social justice, or are we simply formalising a 'poverty wage' that fails to cover basic essentials like food, transport, and electricity? To unpack the numbers and look at the human reality behind them, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dr Dick Forslund, Senior Economist at the Alternative Information and Development Centre (AIDC)