DRC rebel forces THIS WEEK entered the last government-held city in the country's mineral-rich eastern province, in an offensive that has forced thousands to flee across the border into Burundi. The escalation in fighting and takeover of Uvira comes despite the peace deal brokered by US President Donald Trump last week between DRC's President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwanda's Paul Kagame to end the long-running conflict. On Thursday the M23 rebel group said it had "liberated" the city. Control of Uvira could open the way for the rebels to advance beyond South Kivu province. To help us understand the situation, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Godber Tumushabe, Associate Director at the Great Lakes Institute for Strategic Studies, in Uganda.

With festive spending at its peak, cash-strapped consumers have been advised to consider taking up part-time work to cushion the impact of the high cost of living on their Christmas shopping. Financial advice platforms such as JustMoney say a concerning number of consumers fear that their finances will not meet the demands placed on them. This was revealed in JustMoney's recent large-scale survey, which revealed that 61% of South Africans struggle financially every month, with December and January posing the toughest financial challenges for millions of South Africans. For a look at how consumers can supplement their income this festive season, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Head of Customer Experience at JustMoney, Sarah Nicholson

Long distance taxi operators have been warned to prioritise passenger safety over this busy festive season. As thousands of holidaymakers begin their festive season travels across the country, in Cape Town, the South African National Taxi Council hosted safety awareness engagements with various stakeholders, including the Western Cape Department of Mobility and the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta). In Johannesburg, the metro says it is turning to smart technology to improve safety during this period, as law enforcement officials armed will be armed with smart hand-held devices that will issue infringement notices within minutes and also capture motor vehicle accident data instantly. For a look at how the national roads are looking with the festive season starting in earnest, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Road Traffic Management Corporation Spokesperson, Simon Zwane

At least one person has been killed and about 14 others were rescued with injuries when a Hindu temple collapsed in Redcliffe, Verulam.Builders were working on the multi-storey temple when it crashed down, trapping at least five people.  A preliminary report from the Ethekwini Municipality says the building was illegal as it did not have approved building plans.  Zanele Buthelezi has more

ANC Deputy President Paul Mashatile has dismissed claims that President Cyril Ramaphosa will not complete his five-year term. Speaking at a media briefing with the Parliamentary Press Gallery Association on Thursday, Mashatile said the upcoming ANC National General Council (NGC) discussions should not be misinterpreted as succession battles. The ANC is preparing for its National General Council, which starts tomorrow (8–11 December) at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Boksburg. The four-day meeting is intended to review and assess the party's implementation of resolutions from the ANC's 55th National Conference in 2022. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SABC Politics Reporter, Samkele Maseko and Political Analyst and Leadership Expert, Proferssor Mazwe Majola 

The United Nations Human Rights Chief is warning that Sudan risked another El Fasher amidst fierce fighting that was now spreading across the central Kordofan region that is raising fresh fears of further atrocities. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces seized the capital of North Darfur last month following a year long siege, marked by widespread killings of civilians, sexual violence and torture among other atrocities. The group has been locked in a battle since April 2023 with the Sudan Armed Forces as the focus of fighting now shifts to the three oil-rich Kordofan states amid reports the United States is considering a broad range of sanctions on groups blocking efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Sudan. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports

Betway Premiership log leaders, Orlando Pirates, have secured a second knockout cup this season. The Buccaneers, who were crowned MTN-8 champions in September, needed a goal in extra time to break down a gritty Marumo Gallants at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. Relief finally arrived for Pirates just before the end of the first half of extra time. Striker, Relebohile Mofokeng found the back of the net, breaking the deadlock at last. That decisive moment proved enough, as the Buccaneers held firm to secure a 1-nil victory and lift the Carling Knockout crown, completing a cup double. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SABC sports repoter Vincent Sitsula 

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) and the Madlanga Commission have confirmed that they will brief the media in due course over the killing of Marius van der  Merwe, also referred to as Witness D during his testimony at the commission. Members of the security cluster met on Saturday, where they identified a need to heighten security measures with the assistance of the NATJOINTS and other role players. As investigations proceed into van der Merwe's death, the Madlanga Commission and the NATJOINS have urged members of the public to not speculate about his killing. For  more on the meeting, we are joined on the line by National Police Spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe and Political Analyst, Dr Dale McKinely

ActionSA has condemned the killing of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry's 'Witness D'. He was shot and killed in front of his family in the driveway of their home in Brakpan in the east of Johannesburg yesterday evening. The party says that relevant authorities should make the protection of whistleblowers and witnesses their priority. It has called on law enforcement officers to swiftly arrest those who are responsible for the killing. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Police Spokesperson, Brig Athlenda Mathe

As the festive season gets well underway, consumers have been warned to exercise caution when transacting, particularly when making online purchases. In an effort to address this, one of South Africa's biggest banking facilities, Capitec, has rolled out an AI-driven security ecosystem, which has prevented more than R300 million in fraud this year. The bank says this initiative has also blocked 80-thousand mule accounts and stopped 200-thousand scam payments. With social-engineering scams increasing sharply over the holidays, Capitec's leaders believe public education is more critical than ever. For more on how consumers can better secure their banking platforms, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Head of Financial Crimes at Capitec, Nick Harris...