Parliament has its work cut out for it in 2024, as it will finalise key legislation before the country heads to the polls later this year. This is includes among others, the Electoral amendment act, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate and the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport Amendment Bill. The sixth Parliament finishes its term before the next national and provincial elections, but more than 50 pieces of legislation must still be processed. Zalene Merrington reports... 

The year 2024 is expected to be a busy political year for South Africans. Not not only will 30 years of democracy be celebrated, they will also take part in what some dubbed the most contested elections, since 1994.  With campaigning already in full swing, most political parties will soon launched their election manifestos. The country's courts will also see many political figures, this year. The trails of ex- president Jacob Zuma and expelled ANC Secretary General and President of the African Congress Transformation (ACT), Ace Magashule will also go ahead. SABC Political Correspondent, Ntebo Mokobo.

The South African Union of Students-(SAUS) has appealed to students to apply for NSFAS funding as soon as possible and not wait for the matric results before applying. NSFAS closing date for 2024 applications is the 31st of January. SAUS says the NSFAS system is known to collapse when it receives lots of applications at once. Meanwhile NSFAS says it is amending its processes to prevent delayed payments to students. Elvis Presslin spoke to  NSFAS Spokesperson, Ishmael Mnisi.

Former US presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump are among the list of people named in court documents with connections to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. A judge in New York allowed the release of the papers as part of a lawsuit related to Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year jail sentence for sex-trafficking crimes.  Epstein took his own life while awaiting trial in New York in 2019.  SABC US correspondent, Nick Harper filed this report. 

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has confirmed that Oscar Pistorius will be placed on parole on Friday 05 January 2024. Pistorius' comes after he was granted parole on 24 November last year after spending 11 years in prison for killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. Following the assessment of Pistorius' profile and other material submitted for parole consideration, a decision was made by the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board to place the former Paralympian on parole. Elvis Presslin spoke to the legal representative for the Steenkamp family, Tania Koen.

Two people are appearing in the Kriel Magistrates Court on charges of child abduction and contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa. The case involves a four-month-old baby girl abducted on December 28, 2023, and a total of three other children the pair abducted. The suspects were arrested on January 1, 2024. Police are urging the community to assist in locating the families of the other children, one from Marble Hall and the other from Springs. Elvis Presslin spoke to Mpumalanga SAPS Spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala.

Last week, South Africa launched a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, alleging that Israel's military campaign in Gaza amounts to genocide. In the 84-page suit South Africa details evidence of brutality being perpetrated in Gaza and asks the Court which resolves interstate disputes, to urgently declare that Israel has breached its responsibilities under international law since the 7th of October last year. South African government lawyers are preparing for the case to be heard on 11 and 12 of January. Meanwhile, Eylon Levy, Israeli spokesperson says Israel condemns the decision and that it will fight South Africa's claim that it is committing "genocidal" acts in Gaza. 

Rea Vaya passengers in Johannesburg have been left stranded yet again after the bus service suspended its operations after bus drivers embarked on an unprotected strike. PioTrans, which operates the service in partnership with the City of Johannesburg, was placed in business rescue in December. Elvis Presslin spoke to SAMWU Regional Secretary in Johannesburg, Thobani Nkosi and business rescue practitioner, Mahier Tayob, who is overseeing the business rescue process at PioTrans.

The police and South African Defence Force have seized chrome stockpiles estimated at R15-million at ga-Phasha village, outside Burgersfort in Limpopo. The operation was part of measures by authorities to rid the mineral-rich Sekhukhune district of illegal mining operations. Mining equipment worth millions of rand was also seized and 19 people were arrested. Pimani Baloyi filed this report.

Two suspects was arrested for the murder of four people including a child in Soshanguve, North of Pretoria on New Year's Day. 14- year-old- girl, Vuyolwethu Ziwela, her uncle, Mpho Kgobotlo, a police officer and his two friends, Phomolang Molakapatlo and Thando Dlamini, were gunned down by heavily armed suspects at the township's notorious, Jukulyn section in Block P. The motive for the attack is remains unknown.  Phumzile Mlangeni reports.