Police Minister, Bheki Cele, has assured all South Africans and the business sector, that Monday next week will be a normal business day. This in the wake of a planned national shutdown by the EFF and other interested organizations, calling for the resignation of president Cyril Ramaphosa, end in load shedding and the high rate of unemployment. Yesterday, EFF leader, Julius Malema, confirmed that the protest will go ahead as planned. And Cele says any form of disruption and intimidating of those who are not participating in the protest, will not be tolerated. He says it will be business as usual on Monday next week.

The SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) has refused to participate in the EFF's planned shutdown. The EFF vowed to shut down the entire country on Monday to protest against load shedding and to demand President Cyril Ramaphosa's resignation. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Santaco national spokesperson Bafana Magagula

A KwaZulu-Natal is reeling following the abduction of their 2-month-old baby by armed suspects his at baby's home in Welbedacht West in Chatsworth, south of Durban. Police in the province have confirmed that a kidnapping case is being investigated after the baby was snapped on Friday. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter Nonjabulo Mtungwa Makamo.

The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster says it is well prepared for any violent eventualities during the much-talked about National Protest led by the EFF together with various civic formations. The protest, dubbed a 'national shutdown' is aimed at calling for an end to the rolling blackouts, the increasing cost of living and joblessness including for president Cyril Ramaphosa to resign. Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says if people are not at work on Monday, it would be because they took leave on the day.

A report was launched by Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla and the Health Ombud, Professor Malegapuru Makgoba. A report on the findings of an investigation into allegations against the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital has found that the hospital is unsafe, dirty and filthy. The investigation took just over a year to conclude and some of the complaints that led to the investigation suggested that  the dignity of the patients at the hospital was not taken seriously. Professor Makgoba says the report also found that allegation and that Mkabayi was not at the hospital full-time,were true.

The Electoral Commission says the 69 votes of the DA that were cast for the Speaker of the City of Tshwane council were not counted as they violated the law and compromises the identity of the voter in so far as secret balloting is concerned. This comes as the DA is considering taking legal action against the Electoral Commission over this decision. The elections saw Tshwane councillor and African Transformation Movement member Mncedi Ndzwanana elected council speaker in the early hours of this morning. He defeated the DA led multi-party candidate Kholofelo Morodi from ActionSA. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to IEC's Gauteng Commissioner Thabo Masemula.

The DA within the City of Tshwane is seeking legal advice over the IEC's decision to declare 69 of its votes as invalid, spoilt votes during the election of the new Speaker of Tshwane, Mncedi Ndzwanana. Ndzwanana, from the African Transformation Movement beat the DA led multi-party candidate Kholofelo Morodi from ActionSA by 105 to 37 votes. The DA's 69 votes which were declared invalid would have given the DA led multi-party coalition a total of 106 votes to the 105 from the ANC and EFF led coalition. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to DA caucus chairperson, Councillor Jacqui Uys.

Police in Makhado have launched a massive manhunt for a group of heavily armed suspects who attacked and shot at police transport six awaiting trial prisoners and helped them to escape. Udo Carelse spoke to spokesperson for the police in Limpopo, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo

Security has been beefed up at Greys Hospital in Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal as some members of NEHAWU are still picketing outside.  Reporters on the ground say there are also concerns about mortuaries not being in service.  Udo Carelse spoke to SABC reporter, Nonjabulo Makamu.

The labour appeals court has issued an order interdicting with immediate effect essential service workers affiliated to Nehawu from continuing with the strike or any other form of industrial action. The court order comes as Nehawu had vowed to intensify its strike this week. NEHAWU says it will comment on matter as soon as it receives legal advise. Udo Carelse spoke to NEHAWU president, Mike Shingange