The Weekend View

The search for the three missing police officers ended tragically this week with the discovery and recovery of their bodies. On Thursday the wreckage of the VW polo they were travelling in was also recovered in the Hennops river in Centurion in Gauteng.  Constables Cebekhulu Linda, Keamogetswe Buys and Bopelo Senoge went missing last week Wednesday, while en route to their posting in Polokwane where they were to be part of operation Vala Umgodi. Addressing the media , National Police Commissioner Fanie Masemola said forensics will still investigate to determine what happened. To get reaction Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Richard Mamabolo , Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union - POPCRU - spokesperson  

While living together without marriage may reflect modern relationship dynamics, it's vital to be aware of the legal implications. Although South Africa has traditionally been more conservative in its approach towards these types of relationships, cohabitation is at an all-time high in South Africa. According to Vermeulen Attorneys , statistics have shown that less people are getting married, and more people are entering into cohabitation relationship and that it is a largely misunderstood concept in South African law. Vermeulen attorneys says very few people take the time to understand what they are getting into before taking the plunge and moving in with their partner. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Mervyn Vermeulen, Director of Vermeulen Attorneys 

Save the Children South Africa  has welcomed the guilty verdict in the Joshlin Smith case but laments that the case has laid bare the harsh reality of child abuse and exploitation that plagues the country. This comes as recent studies have shown that 42% of children in the country have experienced some form of violence during their childhood. Save the Children SA says that many kids continue to suffer in silence inspite of the 2019 Constitutional Court ruling prohibiting violence against children. The organisation has issued a reminder to South Africa of it's obligation to safeguard children from physical and mental violence. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Megan Briede, Director of Programmes at Save the Children SA n

Cape Town homeowners are fuming over the City's proposed tariff hikes set to kick in July. An explosive public meeting this week saw residents slam the fixed charges tied to rising property values, warning of 20 to 40% bill increases. Many, especially retirees and middle-income earners, say the hikes are unaffordable and unfair. City officials insist talks are ongoing, but an online petition is already gaining traction. Critics argue the budget plan maybe in breach of municipal laws and disproportionately punish long-time ratepayers. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Don Kourie, Chairman of the Tokai Ratepayers' Association 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has shortlisted four judges for the vacant Deputy Chief Justice role Dunstan Mlambo, Mahube Molemela, Cagney Musi, and Pule Tlaletsi. He's begun formal consultations with the Judicial Service Commission and political party leaders, as required by the Constitution. The post has been vacant  since 1 September 2024 when the then Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya rose to the position of Chief Justice. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Mbekezeli Benjamin, Researcher and advocacy officer at Judges Matter 

TODAY South Africa commemorates Freedom Day, under the theme, "United in Resilience for The Defence of Our Freedom and Democracy." President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the main celebration at the AJ Swanepoel Stadium in Ermelo, Mpumalanga. This year's celebration coincides with the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Freedom Charter, a foundation on which our Constitution was drafted. 2025 also marks 29 years anniversary of the enactment of the Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic. The 27th of April 1994 was a watershed moment for many South Africans that carried promises of a better life. Despite efforts to implement policies and programmes that advance equality and human dignity in areas like economic empowerment, education, health care, social support and the provision of basic services, many challenges still persist. Unemployment, crime, corruption, and deteriorating service delivery top the list and South Africa also remains a highly unequal society.

In our Sunday Morning Discussion want to explore whether this freedom we are celebrating TODAY, freedom that we all cherish, is shaping a shared future for all South Africans. To discuss this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Prof. Somadoda Fikeni, Chairperson of the Public Service Commission and board member of The Indlulamithi Scenarios which examine different visions of how South Africa's 2030 future might unfold. Also joining us is Neeshan Balton, Executive Director at the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation.....

While the Budget Justice Coalition has welcomed Treasury's reversal of the VAT hike it has slammed what it calls 'the false choice between raising taxes or slashing vital services'. The organization insists South Africa can build a fair, inclusive budget without deepening poverty. They propose credible, progressive alternatives, from tapping into reserves to curbing corporate tax breaks. The organization has made a call to fund public services properly and reject spending cuts that punish the poor. The organization says a just, people-centered budget is within reach. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to  Matshidiso Lencoasa, a member of the Steering Committee of the Budget Justice Coalition 

With less than 35% of South African motorists insured, understanding the right car insurance coverage is more crucial than ever. Many drivers are unaware of the different values at which they can insure their vehicles, leaving them vulnerable to unexpected costs in the event of an accident, theft, or total loss. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Siyakha Masiye, spokesperson at MiWay

Meanwhile Africans are hoping one of their own could become the first Black pope in modern history and build on Francis's legacy of championing the developing world, though some say the chances of that happening appear slim. A continent where religion permeates most aspects of private and public life, Africa is where the Roman Catholic Church is growing fastest, according to recently published Vatican figures. Among African clerics tipped as potential popes are Ghanaian Cardinal Turkson, Democratic Republic of Congo's Cardinal Ambongo and Cardinal Robert Sarah from Guinea. To discuss this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Father Lawrence Ndlovu from the Cathedral of Christ the King in Johannesburg 

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend Pope Francis's funeral in the Vatican's St Peter's Square THIS MORNING.  Among them will be world leaders, Catholic officials and mourners from around the globe. The funeral mass is expected to begin at 10am.  After the mass his simple wooden coffin is then expected to be driven slowly to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica where Francis will be buried, his undecorated tomb marked with just one word: Franciscus. The burial ceremony is said to be a private event attended by his relatives. People will be able to visit the tomb from TOMORROW morning. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to our correspondent from the Vatican,  John Bevir