The UN Security Council has demanded an immediate halt to the M23 rebel offensive advancing towards Goma in eastern Congo, urging "external forces" to withdraw from the region. The council called for renewed talks between Rwanda and the DRC to address tensions, including the presence of Rwandan-backed M23 forces and Congolese support for Hutu militias. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC News International editor, Sophie Mokoena

Mogalakwena local municipality in Limpopo has taken legal action to withdraw the appointments of hundreds of illegally appointed municipal workers.  The sheriff of the local court has delivered just over two-hundred summons to employees to appear in the Polokwane High court in March. This after the special investigating Unit had recommended to the municipality that it declares the appointments of 400 workers illegal. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter Michael Makhungo.

A legal storm is brewing as lobby group AfriForum threatens to take legal action against the Government of National Unity following President Cyril Ramaphosa signing of the controversial Expropriation Bill into law. The law replaces the apartheid-era Expropriation Act of 1975 and comes after a lengthy five-year process of public consultations and parliamentary deliberations. It sets out the conditions under which the state may expropriate land in the public interest. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Good Party Secretary-General, Brett Herron and African Transformation Movement leader Vuyolwethu Zungula 

This Friday, SAfm’s radio anchor Sakina Kamwendo once again spoke to Martin Creamer, publishing editor of Engineering News & Mining Weekly, delving deeper into the world of mining and engineering.

The Judicial Conduct Tribunal probing sexual harassment allegations against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge is continuing with the cross-examination of Judges' Secretary, Andiswa Mengo. Counsel for Mbenenge, Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane has focused on what they describe as Mengo's "omissions", in her complaint against the top judge. Mengo is accusing Mbenenge of sexual harassment during the period of June 2021 and November 2022. Sikhakhane went through her various responses that are not recorded in her initial statement... For more we are joined on the line by our reporter Canny Maphanga

Twenty-five survivors and families of those who forcibly disappeared or were allegedly  killed during South Africa's struggle for democracy have filed a court application against the President and the government, seeking constitutional damages for the political suppression of the apartheid-era cases referred by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to the National Prosecuting Authority. The application also seeks an order compelling the President to establish an independent and public commission of inquiry into the political interference that resulted in the suppression of several hundred serious crimes arising from South Africa's past. For more we are joined on the line by Director of the Foundation for Human Rights  Zaid Kimmie..

Acting North West Commissioner, Major-General Patrick Asaneng has shed more light into the mysterious escape of an illegal mining kingpin, James, "the Tiger", Tshoaeli was arrested last week in Stilfontein as part of a group of illegal miners who came up to the surface following months of being underground. He is believed to have a significant influence and role in illegal operations in the region. Asaneng says it is clear that Asaneng was never brought and booked into a police station following his transportation from shaft 11 in Stilfontein...

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services, Kgomotso Ramolobeng, says South African prisons faced a staggering 48% overcrowding rate during the 2023/2024 financial year. There are 156-thousand inmates crammed into facilities designed for just 105,474, according to Correctional Services Portfolio Committee Chairperson Ramolobeng. Speaking at a media briefing alongside other oversight committee chairpersons from the Peace and Security Cluster on Tuesday, Ramolobeng also noted that the department spends R500 daily to feed each inmate in its correctional facilities. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Deputy Minister of Correctional Services Lindiwe Ntshalintshali

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is going to suspend payments to beneficiaries of the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant who are suspected of fraud. SASSA says it has implemented this activity to ensure that the Agency pays social grants to the right people and avoid identity theft. The Agency is also encouraging people to take responsibility to make sure that their Identity numbers are not utilised for fraudulent activities. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Paseka Letsatsi- SASSA's Spokesperson

The Department of Correctional Services has dismissed reports that five Correctional Services officials have been dismissed after an inmate Bacelio Alphonso was allegedly assaulted and died at Leeuwkop Prison in Johannesburg on the 30th of December last year. Alphonso's family alleged that a source within the prison, informed them that Alphonso was beaten to death by officials who claimed he attacked them after allegedly smoking crystal meth. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the Spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services Singabakho Nxumalo who says the department cannot legitimise fake news.