The Commission of Inquiry into Usindiso Building Fire in Marshalltown in which 77 people were killed and dozens more injured resumed its hearings today. The commission is hearing an application from the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI)  , to have Advocate Thulani Makhubela recused as one of the inquiry's commissioners.  Seri has told the commission there is a risk of prejudice if  Advocate Thulani Makhubela continues as commisioner because of his views on social media. SABC's Prabashni Moodley

Chief Justice, Raymond Zondo says the Judges conference currently taking place at the Sun City Resort in North West must be used to ensure decisions taken must guarantee that the administration of justice in South Africa is put to a higher level. Chief Justice Raymond Zondo was delivering the key note address at the three day Judges conference. The aim of this gathering is to discuss matters of interests to the Judiciary in relation to its constitutional role and mandate. Chief Justice, Raymond Zondo elaborates

The African National Congress has approached the Constitutional Court in a bid to overturn the Johannesburg High Court order to liquidate it. This follows the over 100 million rand owed to the Durban based company Ezulwini Investments. The ANC says it feels it was overcharged and wanted the matter to be set-aside. It also wanted criminal charges pursued against some party members who were involved in what it calls irregular and fraudulent activities. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Sharfique Sarlie who is a lawyer for the KwaZulu-Natal based printing and marketing company, Ezulwini Investments.

South Africa's economy has contracted by 0.2% in the 3rd quarter of 2023. The contributions to the decrease in the Gross Domestic Product figure came from the agriculture, manufacturing, mining, construction and trade industries. Household final consumption expenditure also decreased by 0.3%, while total gross fixed capital formation decreased by 3.4%. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to independent economist, Elize Kruger.

The Constitutional Court has handed down judgement  on the constitutionality of the Electoral Amendment Act regarding independent candidates aiming to contest the national and provincial elections in 2024. The matter brought by the Independent Candidates Association and Mmusi Maimane's, One Movement SA. The applicants contest the Act's constitutionality on the grounds that it does not ensure a level playing field between political parties and independent candidates. Justice Nonkosi Mhlantla delivered the judgement on Monday.

East Rand police have rescued about 33 suspected human trafficking victims after they were found in a house in Boksburg. This search was in connection with a case where a foreign national was kidnapped in Springfield last week and investigations led the police to the house. To look at scourge of human trafficking in South Africa, Udo Carelse spoke to Chantell Kramer, National Human Trafficking Hotline Manager at The A21 Campaign.

Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has announced the extension of special permits for Zimbabweans and Basotho living in South Africa for another two years until November 2025. Motsoaledi was speaking at a media briefing on the granting of exemption to Lesotho and Zimbabwean nationals in terms of Section 2 sub-section B of the Immigration Act Number 13 of 2002. These directives will be published in the government gazette on Monday. Motsoaledi further elaborates on his directive regarding the Lesotho nationals.

As the world marks World Aids Day today, this week the Human Sciences Research Council released a report revealing that although KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, and the Free State have the highest number of people infected with HIV, they've managed to increase viral suppression by nothing less than 80%. Meanwhile, Doctors without Borders says it will close its long-term HIV and TB projects in Eshowe and Mbongolwane in Kwazulu Natal, ending the organization's more than 20 years of continuous HIV/TB operations in South Africa.Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Sean Christie, Advocacy Manager at Doctors Without Borders

Dr. Basim Naim, a senior leader of the Hamas militant group and former Palestinian Health Minister, says the ongoing oppression of Palestinians in the West Bank is not only a threat to the Palestinian people but also a business of terrorism. Some members of the group's leadership are in South Africa to participate in the Fifth Global Convention of Solidarity with Palestine which takes place next week. Naim's remarks come as a temporary cease-fire deal that lasted seven days expired on Friday without word from mediator, Qatar on an extension.  This comes as the war in the Middle East ranges on, with fighting in Gaza resuming, minutes after the truce ended. Earlier, Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the senior leader of Hamas, Dr. Basim Naim.

Former Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng says that President Cyril Ramaphosa had a duty to disclose who funded the CR17 campaign. Mogoeng was delivering the 2023 SAFM inaugural lecture under the theme: "Constitutionalism and upholding the rule of law in South Africa". SABC reporter, Canny Maphanga has more.