Update@Noon

Three suspects have appeared in the Knysna Magistrates' Court in the Western Cape in connection with the murder of former Knysna Mayor and ANC Ward 8 councillor Aubrey Tsengwa. A fourth suspect has since handed himself over to police in Plettenberg Bay. Sagree Chetty reports...

The delivery of basic services, including water and sanitation, among others, continues to be a challenge across metros in South Africa. Annually, vast numbers of people migrate to cities in search of opportunity, work and better lives. This puts pressure on existing infrastructure, while upgrades and improvements are often outpaced by this global trend. The city of Cape Town has seen rapid population growth over the last decade, with millions living in townships and informal settlements. Lerato Dlalisa reports....

The Emfuleni Local Municipality in the Vaal has condemned the fraud allegations against some of its employees. Seven people including municipal employees and the company contracted to conduct debt collection services appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court. They face numerous charges following their arrest on Friday and Sunday morning, respectively. Thabiso Radebe reports.....

Despite sustained efforts to advance peace in Sudan, the warring parties remain locked in a zero-sum military logic, while greater international attention and action was urgently needed to change that calculus. That was the clear message delivered to the U.N. Security Council by senior U.N. Secretariat officials during a meeting convened to discuss the deteriorating humanitarian consequences, including the protection of civilians, as a result of the more than three-year conflict. Often overshadowed by the wars in Gaza and Iran, the Council heard that more than two-thirds of the people of Sudan were in desperate need of lifesaving support. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports....

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named a largely unchanged team for Saturday's second Test against New Zealand in Cape Town. Siya Kolisi is bracketed with Paul de Villiers at flank, while Handre Pollard and Cobus Reinach form the halfback pairing. Ethan Hooker replaces the injured Cheslin Kolbe, with Kurt-Lee Arendse switching wings. SAfm sports anchor Jon Gericke has more

The CRL Rights Commission says it is investigating a case involving a learner allegedly refused access to school after undergoing customary initiation. Deputy Chairperson Prince George Matlangu says the commission is concerned, stressing that education is a basic constitutional right. The commission will engage the school principal, governing body and Basic Education Department. Matlangu says the investigation will balance the learner’s rights with sensitivities surrounding cultural initiation practices, seeking a swift resolution.Deputy Chairperson of the CRL Rights Commission Prince George Mahlangu explains 

The Madlanga Commission has ruled that it will proceed with Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s application. Matlala has submitted an application addressing the reasons preventing him from engaging with certain arguments. The Commission is set to hear arguments pertaining to his self-incrimination application, but uncertainty remains over his legal representation. Matlala told the Commission he was “in the dark” and had not had enough time to decide whether he agreed with his lawyers’ position on withdrawing from his legal team. His legal team asked for more time to clarify his instructions. Commissioner Baloyi described the developments as “deeply problematic”, questioning whether Matlala’s lawyers had accurately represented his instructions.

Former Justice Minister, Ronald Lamola during his cross examination at the Truth and Reconciliation Cases Commission he wanted the investigation and prosecution to be victim centric. 

Advocate Fatima Missi, representing alleged crime kingpin Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala at the Madlanga Commission, says his legal team has not had sufficient access to their client. Missi says she had to "grovel and beg" security officials to be allowed to consult Matlala at the X max prison. She has asked for more time to file the required legal documents. Commission chairperson Justice Madlanga says he does not understand the issue around agonising over consultations with Matlala, saying these matters should have been dealt with in his response. 

Advocate Fatima Missi, representing alleged crime kingpin Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, says her client is not comfortable proceeding with his testimony at the Madlanga Commission without his lead counsel, who is ill. Missi says the legal team also needs more time to prepare its replying affidavit and written submissions. She says Matlala has instructed his lawyers to approach the court urgently to interdict the proceedings if the Commission does not postpone the matter until tomorrow. The Commission questioned why the defence had not brought a substantive application for postponement earlier.