Update@Noon

The Road Traffic Management Corporation is urging motorists to exercise extreme caution as snow, rain, freezing temperatures and icy conditions affect several provinces. Multiple roads and mountain passes are closed, including parts of the N3, N6, N9, R58 and R74. Motorists are advised to postpone unnecessary travel, reduce speed and remain alert for rapidly changing conditions. RTMC spokesperson is Simon Zwane 

The Transport Department says a number of vehicles are currently stranded on the Barkly Pass, with emergency personnel on the ground working to assist. This comes as three mountain passes have been closed in the province due to heavy snowfall. Eastern Cape Provincial Transport Department spokesperson Unathi Binqose says motorists are being advised to delay their journeys and avoid certain areas where possible, to prevent further incidents and reduce pressure on emergency services. He is urging motorists to heed warnings issued by authorities, reduce their speed and maintain a safe following distance. RTMC spokesperson is Simon Zwane 

A raging fire has destroyed about 700 shacks at the Jika Joe informal settlement in Pietermaritzburg, leaving between 400 and 500 residents, mainly women, homeless. KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma says more than 400 affected residents had been profiled by yesterday afternoon. Duma says he is liaising with Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, who is expected to visit the province this week with the UN-Habitat Executive Director. The provincial government says R445 million has been allocated to build new houses for Jika Joe residents. Ndabezinhle Sibiya Spokesperson for MEC of Transport and Human Settlements

Cooperative Governance Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has proclaimed the 4th of November as the date for the Local Government Elections, formally launching the 90 day election period. The proclamation marks the first major milestone in the election calendar as political parties prepare to contest municipalities across the country. Hlabisa says government is ready to deliver a free and fair election. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Elections Analyst, Wayne Sussman

South Africa will be hoping that their unconvincing start and adversity in the Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco will serve as a wake-up call to propel them to greater heights for the rest of the tournament.But despite the poor start, Banyana Banyana are just 90 quality minutes away from achieving their first goal -- qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.
They take on host nation, Morocco, in a quarterfinal match in Rabat on Saturday evening. SAfm sports anchor Jon Gericke has more  

This Friday, SAfm’s radio anchor Sakina Kamwendo once again spoke to Martin Creamer, publishing editor of Engineering News & Mining Weekly, delving deeper into the world of mining and engineering.

The Chairperson of National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure ( NATJOINTS) , Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, says law enforcement has activated an extensive operational plan ahead of the local government elections. The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure ( NATJOINTS ) is briefing the media on the outcomes of ongoing multidisciplinary operations aimed at addressing illegal immigration. Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili had this to say

Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi says she has never attempted to stop investigations or prosecutions involving Truth and Reconciliation Commission cases. Testifying before the TRC Cases Inquiry, Kubayi stressed the National Prosecuting Authority's independence, saying prosecutorial decisions remain the sole discretion of the NPA's National Director of Public Prosecutions. She says her role as Justice Minister is limited to oversight and accountability, including reporting to Parliament. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Cases Inquiry, is probing alleged efforts to stall the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era perpetrators. Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi had this to say while giving her testimony before the commision

ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has vowed to meet the party's NEC member Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma in court. This follows Dlamini-Zuma's latest podcast remarks - that Mbalula dished out money at their last conference in 2022. He says the claims have damaged his reputation and insists he did not dish out money to delegates. Mbalula was speaking in Boksburg as the party's National Executive Committee convene to discuss and adopt its manifesto for the 2026 Local Government Elections. 

More than 300-thousand South Africans are believed to have fallen victim to the Morita Forestry investment scam, losing millions of rands. GroundUp reports that the alleged pyramid scheme promised investors daily returns from woodland projects in the United States. The scheme widely promoted on social media, allegedly operated by using money from newer investors to pay earlier participants. More than 385-thousand accounts were reportedly registered, while cryptocurrency wallets linked to the scheme received hundreds of millions of rands. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Ground Up writer and investigative journalist Joel Cedras joins us to elaborate further about the scam