Murder convict, Nthuthuko Shoba has been denied leave to appeal his life sentence for orchestrating the murder of his pregnant girlfriend Tshegofatso Pule. Pule was eight-months pregnant when she was killed by Muzikayise Malepane - a man hired by Shoba. Shoba'ss defence lawyer believes a higher court could come to a different conclusion about some facts. Hitman Muzikayise Malepane's testimony formed part of crucial state evidence against Shoba during the trial. Acting Judge at the Johannesburg high Court, Judge Stuart Wilson had this to say when handing down judgement...

An East London Pitbull owner, Noeleen Fourie has shared details of how her dog mauled and killed a one year old infant. The incident happened on Wednesday in the surburb of Cambridge where, the infant was rushed to the local hospital for medical assistance but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries. SABC reporter in East London, Abongile Jantjies spoke to Fourie and  SPCA's General Manager in East London

Consumer price inflation picked up slightly in October, rising to 7,6% from 7,5% in September. The monthly increase in the consumer price index (CPI) was 0,4%, up from 0,1%. The main contributors to the 7,6% annual inflation rate were food and non-alcoholic beverages; housing and utilities; transport; and miscellaneous goods and services. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Annabelle Bishop, Chief Economits at Investec 

Government is urgently seeking funds to buy diesel needed to fuel some of Eskom's power plants. This comes after Eskom announced that outages will intensify this week. Eskom has run out of diesel and it's reported it may not be replenished until the 1st April next year. Load shedding will be pushed to stage 4 today. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to energy analyst Chris Yelland. 

The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial resumed at the Pretoria High Court today. The trial has been postponed until next year. This is due to new legal council introduced to the court today to represent accused number 1 and 2 in the murder trial. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, reporter Chriselda Lewis live from the Pretoria High Court 

 The  Correctional Services Department says it is still studying the judgment of the Supreme of Appeal in Bloemfontein in the former president Jacob Zuma's medical parole appeal case. The SCA has upheld the High Court order which declared Zuma's release on medical parole unlawful, he'll not serve his remaining sentence. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to News24 legal journalist Karyn Maughan

EFF MP Mbuyiseli Ndlozi's prediction that President Cyril Ramaphosa must be the first president whom the new National Assembly Rule 129 must be tested on, has become a reality. Ndlozi made this in November 2018 during the debate on the adoption of the rule by the Assembly. Rule 129 outlines the processes to be followed when a National Assembly Member tables a motion for the removal of a President from office in terms of Section 89 of the Constitution. The rule was developed following successful Constitutional Court challenge by the EFF in December 2017. The EFF was joined by the UDM, COPE and the DA. They wanted the assembly to hold former President Jacob Zuma accountable for violating the constitution in relations to his failure to implement the Public Protector's remedial action into the Nkandla security upgrades. Mercedes Besent looks back at how Ndlozi ended up being kicked out of the chamber by House Chairperson Mmatlala Boroto,  for  refusing to withdraw his comments that Rule 129 must be tested on Ramaphosa. She sent us this snippet.

It still remains unclear when South Africa intends on forging ahead with the proposed legislation that seeks to introduce strict new anti-smoking rules and regulation. According to the new Tobacco Products and Electronics Delivery Systems Control Bill that is before parliament, anyone or business that sells cigarettes to a minor can be fined or sentenced to up to 15 years in prison. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Tobacco Control manager at the health department, Lorato Mahura.

The High Court in Pretoria has ruled against the defence questioning state witness, Tumelo Madlala on docket 375 in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial. The court says the docket has no status. The docket implicates Madlala and Meyiwa's former girlfriend Kelly Khumalo among others who were in the house when Meyiwa was shot and killed in 2014. The NPA said the decision to prosecute in that case will only be determined after the current trial. State prosecutor Advocate George Baloyi objected to the defence asking Madlala to comment on the controversial docket. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Phumzile Mlangeni 

The country three main Labour Federations, namely COSATU, FEDUSA and SAFTU have forged unity and waged war on government over the ongoing impasse over the rejected three percent pay offer for public service unions. The three unions have resolved to embark on a National Day of Action on the 22nd of November where workers will down tools with the main event being a march to the office on the National Treasury in Pretoria. The federatrions, including their affiliates say they will also target schools, ports and government institutions amongst other locations. Denosa president, Simon Hlungwani explains...