Civil unrest linked to Mozambique's disputed October election continues to grip the country. More than 30 people have been killed in a fresh bout of violence. Monday's decision by Mozambique's top court confirming long-ruling party Frelimo's victory in the election has sparked new nationwide protests by opposition groups and their supporters who say the vote was rigged. Frelimo's offices, police stations, banks and factories have been looted, vandalised and set ablaze around the country. The capital Maputo was however reported quiet YESTERDAY with people waiting for word on the next course of action from opposition leader, Venancio Mondlane who has fled the country. For the latest Udo Carelse spoke to David Fardo, a Social Activist and President of Mozambique's Youth Parliament ...

In a bid to challenge South Africa's political heavyweights, Rise Mzansi, ActionSA, Bosa, and the Good Party are exploring possibilities for greater cooperation ahead of future elections. Party leaders Songezo Zibi, Mmusi Maimane, Herman Mashaba, and Patricia de Lille have confirmed informal discussions focusing on parliamentary collaboration. While a formal merger remains unlikely before 2029, the talks hint at a strategic realignment to capture disillusioned voters. With shared goals of multiracialism, economic reform, and anti-corruption, The parties aim to strengthen their combined influence, currently holding 14 parliamentary seats. Formal discussions are expected to begin in early 2025. Udo Carelse spoke to Rise Mzansi's national spokesperson, Gugu Ndima 

Mozambique's Constitutional Council is TOMORROW ( Monday 23rd Dec.) set to officially proclaim the outcome of the country's October presidential election results following a validation process. Mozambicans are calling for transparency after the Frelimo party, which has governed the country since its independence in 1975, retained power with a 71% majority vote. Civil unrest swept across parts of the country following the 9 October elections as allegations of vote-rigging surfaced. Since then, the country has sporadically been brought to a standstill as the economic hub and the country's capital Maputo has been shut down. The protests have also affected trade in the sub-region as operations at the Lebombo border post and access to the Port of Maputo corridor have been severely disrupted. The leader of the opposition PODEMOS party Venancio Mondlane THIS WEEK called on his supporters to escalate the protests ahead of the proclamation of the results by the Constitutional Council.  Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Clemente Carlos, a Mozambican journalist ..

As families across South Africa embrace the festive season, cherishing time with loved ones, many in the Eastern Cape are grappling with heartbreak. The ongoing 2024 summer initiation season, now in its fourth week since launching on 15 November, has tragically claimed the lives of 20 young boys an increase from 17 earlier in the season. The Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Department has expressed deep concern over the mounting fatalities, raising questions about safety and oversight in initiation schools. Meanwhile, the South African National AIDS Council Men's Sector is calling for stricter regulations to govern initiation practices as the province battles to curb these preventable deaths. To delve deeper into this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Pheello Oliphant,  Eastern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs spokesperson, and  Siya Ndesi, Secretary General, at the South African National AIDS Council Men's Sector 

Each year South Africa records an average of close to 1 thousand 500 fatal drownings with children under 5 in the highest risk group. These incidents occur in various settings, from swimming pools to rivers and coastal areas. KwaZulu-Natal province is reportedly the epicentre of drowning cases, owing to its warm climate, abundant water bodies, and high population density. With the festive season now in full swing many people are enjoying their holidays on or near water bodies increasing the risks of drowning. To get advice on how water bodies should not spoil the festive cheer, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Andrew Ingram, Drowning Prevention Manager at the National Sea Rescue Institute - NSRI..

The South African Banking Risk Information Centre -- SABRIC -- says there's been a significant spike in online shopping scams during the holiday season. And, while families and friends gear up for the holidays, scammers and criminals are getting ready to pounce. In 2023, South Africans lost almost 3.3 billion Rand due to financial crime, with fraudulent banking applications accounting for 60 percent of digital banking crimes. Lopang Alamu reports...

Heavy traffic is being reported on Gauteng's major highways and arterial routes as motorists leave the province for various holiday destinations ahead of Christmas. Most of the pressure is along the NI, N3 and N4 highways. Traffic authorities are urging motorists to adhere to road rules and reduce speed - particularly at night and during adverse weather conditions. To check on the the situation on Gauteng roads, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Gauteng province traffic police spokesperson, Sello Maremane ....

As the festive season peaks, traffic officers are on the frontlines ensuring road safety. The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union - POPCRU - has raised  concerns about poor working conditions and severe understaffing, calling for immediate government support. With the Department of Transport's 46-day Festive Road Safety Campaign underway, the union says last year's grim toll of 1,285 holiday fatalities looms large. POPCRU warns that 24-hour traffic policing and intensified enforcement, while crucial, burden officers already stretched thin. The union is demanding recruitment drives, essential tools, timely overtime pay, and nationalising traffic police for better oversight. For more on this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to POPCRU President, Thulani Ngwenya  ....

South Africa's borders experienced the busiest day of the festive season YESTERDAY with tens of thousands of people leaving and entering the country. The surge in numbers corresponds with the festive season, a time typically marked by increased travel pressure and heightened passenger volumes. The Border Management Authority (BMA) says its systems at the Lebombo border post are running efficiently. BMA Commissioner Dr. Mike Masiapato will oversee operations at the border until Christmas Day to ensure the smooth processing of people and vehicles at the busy port of entry. For more on this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dr Masiapato 

President Cyril Ramaphosa YESTERDAY instructed the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube to fully implement the BELA Act. This after he signed a Presidential Proclamation bringing the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act into operation without changes to two contentious sections of the Act.  The two clauses relate to the provincial department becoming responsible for admitting pupils into a public school and determining a school's language policy, taking away those responsibilities from school governing bodies. Those opposed to the Act had argued that the full implementation of the BELA Act would compromise the Afrikaans language. The DA had also threated that the party will withdraw from the Government of National Unity if President Ramaphosa orders its full implementation. For more on this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Willie Aucamp, Democratic Alliance National Spokesperson and SADTU Media Officer, Nomusa Cembi