The North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs says eight (8) of the province's 22 municipalities are under mandatory intervention in terms of Section 139 of the Municipal Finance Management Act due to poor financial management. These municipalities are the Ditsobotla, Kgetlengrivier, Madibeng, Ramotshere Moiloa, Tswaing,  Maquassi Hills and Naledi Local Municipalities as well as the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality. However, the Department says much more work still needs to be done in the beleaguered Ditsobotla Local Municipality as all interventions in the municipality have continued to be met with resistance including criminal behaviour such as kidnapping and taking people hostage. Sakina Kamwendo Spoke to Lerato Gambu - Spokesperson of the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs in North West

Retired Lieutenant General Vusi Masondo of the office of the Military Ombud has highlighted numerous challenges that are faced by his office in relation to his work with the Department of Defence. He has been addressing the Joint Standing Committee on Defense on its Annual Activity Report. Masondo reflected to the number of cases brought to the ombuds office including financial challenges and difficulties with the Department of Defence. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter Zalene Merrington.

Economic growth and job creation are amongst some of the critical issues President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address at his eighth State of the Nation Address today .Ramaphosa will use this opportunity to outline government's priorities and plans for the year ahead as well as give the nation feedback on the commitments he made last year and in the previous years. At the Opening of parliament last year after the formation of the Government of National Unity, inclusive growth, infrastructure development, strengthening dysfunctional municipalities and the redistribution of wealth are some of the issues that topped the Agenda. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to political analyst Asanda Ngoasheng and Cedric Thomas Frolick, National Assembly house chairperson 

With the focus on President Cyril Ramaphosa's first State of the Nation Address as the head of a government of national unity, his speech is expected to feature the recently passed Expropriation Act which has garnered attention across the globe. To the extent that it has led to US President Donald Trump threatening to cut foreign aid to South Africa over the false belief that land was being confiscated from certain groups of society. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Inkatha Freedom Party member of parliament, Mkhulekwa Hlengwa 

Economic growth and job creation are amongst some of the critical issues President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address at his eighth State of the Nation Address today .Ramaphosa will use this opportunity to outline government's priorities and plans for the year ahead as well as give the nation feedback on the commitments he made last year and in the previous years. At the Opening of parliament last year after the formation of the Government of National Unity, inclusive growth, infrastructure development, strengthening dysfunctional municipalities and the redistribution of wealth are some of the issues that topped the Agenda. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to ActionSA MP Athol Trollip and ANC chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli 

Tragedy has struck Harmony Gold Mining, with five miners losing their lives in two separate incidents on Tuesday. At Doornkop Mine in Soweto, two employees died in a mining accident, prompting a temporary halt to blasting operations. Meanwhile, three workers perished in a fall-of-ground incident at Joel Mine in the Free State. Investigations, led by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, are underway. For a reaction on this matter John Gericke  spoke to NUM Health and Safety Secretary,  Masibulele Naki

Rea Vaya commuters were again left stranded as Rea Vaya services continue to be suspended. The bus transit system halted operations after two of its drivers were fatally shot on Monday evening. The drivers were gunned down and shot multiple times in two separate incidents in Soweto. John Gericke spoke to  Johannesburg Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Safety Dr Mgcini Tshwaku..

The commemoration of three former employees of the Lily Mine is under way in Barberton, Mpumalanga. Pretty Nkambule, Yvonne Mnisi and Solomon Nyirenda were trapped underground when the mine collapsed. They had been in a container used as a lamp room at the time. Today marks the ninth anniversary of the incident. For the latest from a program in honour of the three employees, we are now joined on the line by our reporter, Mthobisi Mkhaliphi. 

The Presiding Officers of Parliament, led by National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and National Council of Provinces Chairperson Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, earlier held a media briefing to provide an update on Parliament’s preparations for the 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA).

KwaZulu Natal police are currently on the lookout for an unknown number of suspects. This comes after the N2 freeway in the south of Durban was this morning closed during peak traffic following a cash-in-transit (CIT) heist, where one person was killed one and 10 injured. The attack took place between the M7 and the M1 Higginson Highway. All suspects reported to have fled the scene. For an update we are joined on the line by Colonel Robert Netshiunda