The Senzo Meyiwa main trial has resumed in the high court in Pretoria. Yesterday the Judge ruled that in the trial within a trial the confessions allegedly made by accused number 1, Muzi Sibiya and accused 2, Bongani Ntanzi in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial within trial, were made freely and voluntarily. State prosecutor George Baloyi says he would now like to call to the main trial witnesses that had already taken the stand in the trial within a trial. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to reporter, Pearl Magubane... 

Former Department of Public Enterprises director-general Kgathatso Tlhakudi says Public Enterprises Minister Pravin should be held accountable for the failed SAA - takatso deal. Pravin Gordhan announced the termination of the Takatso Consortium's 51% takeover of South African Airways (SAA). Takatso said in its response to the announcement, that the magnitude and materiality of the proposed changes had made it clear that the transaction would possibly need to be re-submitted to the Competition Tribunal. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to former Department of Public Enterprises director-general Kgathatso Tlhakudi, who was opposed to the deal during his time at the department... 

It remains unclear what is behind the recent underwater cable outage. Telecommunication experts say it may even take up to weeks to locate and repair a cable break if that is the cause. This is as millions of South Africans have been battling with internet issues since Yesterday when multiple outages on undersea cables caused serious downtime. The affected cables include West Africa, parts of Europe and the Middle East. Vodacom has also confirmed that the undersea cable failures were affecting the country's network providers, including Vodacom, with customers experiencing intermittent connectivity issues. Sakina Kamwenso spoke to the founder and CEO of World Wide Worx, Arthur Goldstuck...

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, NUMSA has accused Road Accident Fund CEO, Collins Letsoalo of being a law unto himself and a brutal employer. NUMSA spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola earlier today confirmed that their members are to return to work despite an earlier intention to embark on a national shutdown strike action. The union maintains that RAF, under Letsoalo continues to be mismanaged with extensive delays in processing payments and an unconducive working environment for the workers. For more on this we are now joined on the line by RAF spokesperson, McIntosh Polela.

Security experts are warning South Africans that cases of kidnappings have skyrocketed by 260% in the country over a decade – including those for ransom. Gauteng remains the hotspot province for Kidnappings followed by KwaZulu-Natal. The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) noted cases of kidnappings reported to the police in South Africa have almost quadrupled over the last ten years. While kidnapping for ransom  reportedly make up only 5% of reported cases, they equate to about two people being kidnapped for ransom per day in the country. Experts say there is no specific profile of victims or kidnappers, adding that the ordinary man in the street is a target for criminals too, thus every member of the public needs to be vigilant at all times. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Specialist, Investigator Mike Bolhuis, who is an expert in the dealing with kidnapping cases.

Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says Cabinet supports the termination of the Takatso Consortium's 51% takeover of the South African Airways (SAA).  Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan announced that the deal between SAA and Takatso Consortium was off. Takatso says it experienced immense political pressure in its attempt to acquire 51 percent in state owned airline SAA. Ntshavheni briefed the media on Thursday. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Chairperson of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises, Khaya Magaxa.

The High Court in Pretoria has ruled that the confessions allegedly made by accused number 1, Muzi Sibiya and accused 2, Bongani Ntanzi in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial within a trial, were made freely and voluntarily and can thus be admitted as evidence. The court has also found that Sibiya was not under duress when he pointed out evidence in the matter and that evidence will now be admitted as evidence in the main trial. Sibiya, Ntanzi and three others are currently on trial for the 2014 murder of the soccer star who was gunned down in the maternal home of his then girlfriend, Kelly Khumalo. Here is what Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng said in making his ruling.

Civil Society Group, My Vote Counts says the adoption of the Electoral matters Amendment Bill adopted by the National Assembly yesterday has detrimental consequences to the constitutional imperatives of transparency, openness, and accountability. This as opposition parties have threatened court action over the Bill as amendments to the Bill have amongst many issues changed the funding formula of how political parties and independents represented in legislatures receive allocations from public funds. This change outlines that 90 percent of funds would be based on proportional representation and only ten-percent on an equitable basis. For more on this we are now joined on the line by Senior Resercher at My Vote Counts, Joel Bregman

Northern KwaZulu-Natal residents have been warned to brace themselves for upcoming severe weather, with a Level 6 warning in place for parts of the province from today. This as  as a tropical storm moves through the Mozambique Channel. The warning is said to be  in effect for the Northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SABC Meteorologist, Azwi Tuwani.

The court case against three people accused of involvement in the disappearance of 6-year-old, Joslin Smith has been postponed to 13 May 2024 for further investigation and cellphone data to be obtained. The suspects  face charges of trafficking in persons with the purpose of exploitation and kidnapping, after charges against a 4th suspect, Phumza Sigaqa, were withdrawn. The girl's mother, Kelly Smith and her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis are among those accused. Six year old Joslin who went missing three weeks ago has not yet been found. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SABC reporter, Corbin August...