The Soweto Crisis Committee says the implementation of load reduction disappropriately affects black townships when compared to suburban areas. This as day two of the South African Human Rights Commission's national investigative inquiry continues today in Sandton, north of Johannesburg. The inquiry is aimed at looking at the impact of load reduction on communities. Member of the Soweto Crisis Committee, Trevor Ngwane says the implementation of road reduction is both racist and discriminates against communities based on their social status. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter Phumzile Mlangeni 

Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero says everything possible will be done to protect Rea Vaya bus commuters and drivers. This follows the fatal shooting of two bus drivers in separate incidents in Protea Glen and Mapetla in Soweto last night. All Rea Vaya bus services across the city have since been suspended until tomorrow morning.  The motive for the killings is unknown at this stage. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter Hasina Gori and MMC for transport Kenny Kunene. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa says he looks forward to engaging with president Donald Trump over issues of bilateral interests and concerns. This follows threats by Trump of cutting off all future funding to South Africa over the country's land expropriation policies. In a post on his media platform Truth Social, Trump said South Africa was confiscating land and treating certain classes of people very badly. He also called it a massive human rights violation and warned that the United States would not stand for it. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Professor Christopher Isike, the Director of the African Centre for the Study of the United States at the University of Pretoria...

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Extraordinary Summit is in session today in Zimbabwe to address the ongoing security situation in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The summit is a crucial gathering for the heads of state and government from all SADC countries to discuss and make decisions on the peace efforts for Eastern DRC. Chairperson of SADC Emmerson Mnangagwa, also President of Zimbabwe, is leading the discussions on restoring peace and stability in the region. To check in on the situation in DRC. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Al Jazeera journalist Alain Uakani, who's in Goma, and SABC correspondent in Kinshasa. Chris Occamringa and Rwandan journalist Sylivanus Karemera

Power Utility, Eskom has warned that up to Stage 4 load shedding may be implemented for the upcoming weekend. Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane says this is due to several breakdowns' that require extended repair times. He adds that this has however necessitated the use of all emergency reserves which now need to be replenished. Marokane revealed this while addressing parliament's portfolio committee on Electricity and Energy on the utility's Financial Annual report...

Malaria remains a pressing health concern in Limpopo. The province says three fatalities were recorded between April last year and January this year and over 500 cases,  according to the Department of Health. Malaria, a life-threatening disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes, continues to pose a risk, especially after heavy rainfall. Provincial health spokesperson Neil Shikwambana says the department is actively combating the outbreak through an indoor residual spraying programme, employing 355 seasonal spray workers to cover over 1.16 million homes.Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Neil Shikwambana Limpopo health spokesperson 

This Friday, SAfm’s radio anchor Sakina Kamwendo once again spoke to Martin Creamer, publishing editor of Engineering News & Mining Weekly.  

The Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, says Rwanda is ready for a confrontation with South Africa if necessary. His comments follow a claim by president Cyril Ramaphosa that the M23 rebels and Rwanda's defense force were responsible for the deaths of 13 South African soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kagame has also said South Africa cannot be a peacemaker. Sakina Kamwendo 

The Gauteng Department of Education says it has successfully placed 32,587 late online applicants in Grades 1 and 8 before today's deadline. MEC Matome Chiloane confirmed that 1,500 out of 2,079 schools were open for late applications since December 11. To ease overcrowding, the department introduced satellite schools, creating over 4,417 additional spaces in high-pressure areas. Chiloane urged parents to embrace this initiative, ensuring no child is left without placement. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane.

Government officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo have appealed for calm after protesters angered by the rebel assault on the city of Goma attacked a number of embassies in Kinshasa. The diplomatic premises of Rwanda, Uganda, France and Belgium were among those targeted. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC News Correspondent, Chris Ocamringa