Former managing director of the Life Esidimeni group, Dr Morgan Mkhatshwa is back on the stand at the inquest into the tragic deaths of 144 mental health patients. The inquest resumed this morning in the High Court in Pretoria following a four-week break. At least 144 patients died between March and December 2016 after they were moved by the Gauteng health government to various ill-equipped NGOs. Life Esidimeni charged the department at least 250-million-rand per annum for just over 2-thousand patients. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Phumzile Mlangeni. 

Three suspects are appearing in court following the murder of  a 66 year old woman. The body of Iris Portgieter was found dumped on an open field outside Riverside township near Dewetsdorp in the Free State on Wednesday.  Police spokesperson - Motantsi Makhele says 72 hour activation plan was executed and since then police continued with investigation following intelligence drive information from different sources.  Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Ishmael Modiba.

A 36-year old woman is expected to appear in the Germiston Magistrates court today on charges of inciting public violence related to last month's lootings in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Hawks' Crime Against the State unit arrested the the woman and a 35-year-old co-accused in Leondale in Johannesburg over the weekend. She is alleged to have been operating the Sphithiphithi Evaluator Twitter account. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC Reporter, Pearl Magubane

The Vereeniging Magistrate's Court has granted bail of R40-000 to ANC regional organiser in Sedibeng, Themba Mnisi.  Mnisi appeared in the Vereeniging Magistrate's Court last Monday, where the State argued in opposition of bail. He is alleged to have been involved in the incitement of violence in recent unrest which resulted in the deaths of 350 people across Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. 

The North West Legislature says that although Professor Job Mokgoro resigned as the Premier, he is yet to resign as a Member of the Legislature. The Office of the Speaker earlier confirmed receipt of the resignation letter of premier Job Mokgoro. Mokgoro was expected to have resigned as both the Premier and Member of the Provincial Legislature to give way to 67-year-old Bushy Maape. Jon Gericke spoke to Professor Andre Duvenage who is with the University of the North West...

The African National Congress has vowed to approach the Electoral Court to ask for the re-opening of the registration of election candidates for a day. The party says it couldn't register some of its candidates for the upcoming local elections due to problems beyond its control. All political parties had until Monday at 9pm to submit their candidates list to the IEC but the ANC says it encountered problems beyond its control with the IEC portal freezing and data already in the system being voided. Jon Gericke spoke to Independent Political Analyst, Theo Venter

Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula, has announced that the renewal grace period for learners' and drivers' licenses has been extended to the 31st of March 2022. This after several motorists - whose licenses expired between March and December last year - complained that they have been unable to making renewal bookings, with an August the 31st deadline looming. 

Unemployment is at its highest since 2008. Statistics South Africa's quarterly labour force survey shows that unemployment increased to 34,4% in the second quarter of 2021, from 32.6% in the first quarter. The survey shows that the number of employed persons decreased by 54 000 in the second to 14,9 million.  It further indicates that the number of unemployed persons increased by 584 000. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Economist at L H research Equity Partners, Ndumiso Radebe... 

A 33-year old man is expected to appear the Nigel Magistrate's Court allegedly killing his nine-month pregnant girlfriend. It's believed the 27-year old Samantha Zungu was hit over the head with an iron poker by her ex-convict boyfriend in Duduza, on the East Rand.  The suspect had allegedly been demanding a share of their two children's grant money.  Update@Noon presenter, Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Maageketla Mohlabe...

Gauteng Health MEC Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi has expressed shock at the death of senior finance officer in the Department, Babita Deokaran. Deokaran was shot outside her home in the south of Johannesburg yesterday, just moments after dropping her child off at school. The 53-year-old later died in hospital. Mokgethi has called on law enforcement to leave no stone un-turned in investigating the shooting. Deokaran was reportedly one of 300 witnesses in Special Investigating Unit probe into PPE purchase irregularities in the department. Sakina Kamwendo spoke tp SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago....