Update@Noon

Mpumalanga taxi boss Joe "Ferrari" Sibanyoni has rejected suggestions that a series of events involving Putco were part of a coordinated process to pressure the company to sell its fleet to Taxi Choice.Testifying before the Madlanga Commission, Sibanyoni was questioned about meetings with members of the local community in 2023 and his comments about fighting for a 30% stake in Putco. He was also questioned about communication with Putco executive two days after 51 buses were torched at three depots in KwaNdebele in January 2025. A month later, Taxi Choice made an unsolicited offer to purchase the entire Putco fleet.

Mpumalanga taxi boss Joe "Ferrari" Sibanyoni is continuing his testimony at the Madlanga Commission. Sibanyoni has told the Commission that he was in discussions with Putco to purchase 15 old buses. He says the buses were intended to be donated to the community through his foundation, mainly to assist with transporting mourners to funerals. The evidence comes as the Commission examines WhatsApp messages exchanged shortly after 51 Putco buses were torched at three depots in Mpumalanga's Nkangala District in January 2025.Sibanyoni says the discussions to purchase the buses had started before the buses were burnt.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande says South Africa needs to strengthen domestic funding for research to reduce its vulnerability to changes in foreign funding priorities. Nzimande was speaking in Pretoria while releasing a report of the Ministerial Working Group on Science, Technology and Innovation funding for public comment. The report follows the withdrawal of U.S. federal funding from major South African health-research and clinical-trial programmes in January 2025. Nonhlanhla Ntshingila reports....

Political parties contesting the upcoming municipal elections in KwaZulu-Natal have taken a strong stand against political killings, violence and intimidation. Seventeen political parties contesting all wards in the province have signed the Independent Electoral Commission's provincial Code of Conduct in Durban. They thereby commit themselves to upholding the rules for free, fair and peaceful elections. According to the IEC , a total of 101 parties and 104 independent candidates will contest elections 54 municipalities in KZN. Celumusa Zulu reports . . . 

COSATU says the US Embassy should engage the South African government through diplomatic channels to address disagreements between the two countries. The trade union federation has criticised recent statements and media activity by the embassy, arguing that they undermine South Africa’s sovereignty and diplomatic relations. Matthew Parks is (COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator)

The demand for housing continues to grow as more people move to urban areas in search of work and opportunity. But for many, living closer to economic hubs is becoming increasingly unaffordable.
And while Temporary Relocation Areas are meant to provide short-term relief, in some cases, residents have spent years waiting for permanent homes. Shamiela Fisher reports..

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a four-point plan to effectively deal with the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide in the country. This follows a nationwide outcry after the killing of twelve women in some parts of Ekurhuleni east of Johannesburg in the past two months. Addressing the nation at the Union Buildings last night, Ramaphosa instructed law enforcement agencies to focus on unresolved GBVF cases, reduce forensic backlogs and that municipalities must identify high risk areas to ensure safety of women when they walk and jog among others. Our Politics Reporter Ntebo Mokobo has more.

Iran is again threatening the region's oil infrastructure just as mediators try to revive negotiations with the United States. Tehran says no country in the region will be able to export oil if Iran is prevented from selling its own. The warning comes as reports suggest that shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have begun to recover, raising the stakes for talks aimed at ending the war. Sherwin Bryce-Pease has the very latest from New York.

Higher Education and Training Minister, Buti Manamela, says South African universities have played an important role in contributing to society post 1994. He was speaking at the Times Higher Education (THE) World Academic Summit in Cape Town. It is the first time the summit is being held in Africa and is being hosted by the University of Cape Town. Mlamli Maneli reports...

Foreign visitors to mainland Tanzania will need compulsory travel insurance from October 1st, under new regulations issued by the Ministry of Finance. The move follows a similar scheme in the semi-autonomous Islands of Zanzibar, and comes weeks after Kenya adopted its own insurance requirement for foreign visitors. SABC's Isaac Lukando has more.