Update@Noon

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

Today marks two years since the executive members of South Africa's Government of National Unity took the oath of office at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, in a ceremony presided over by former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. The GNU was formed after the 2024 general elections, when no political party secured an outright majority, ushering in a new era of coalition governance. Political analysts say the GNU has delivered mixed results, but remains one of the most significant shifts in South Africa's democratic history.  Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Professor Zwelinzima Ndevu Director of the School of Public Leadership at Stellenbosch University. 

The death toll from the Ratanda service delivery protest in Heidelberg, Gauteng, has risen to two. Prolonged water shortages sparked the protest leaving several other people injured and hospitalised. The family of the first victim 23-year-old Katleho Mokoena alleges that he was shot multiple times during clashes between protesters and police. It is alleged the protesters went on the rampage on Wednesday using burning tyres to block entrance and exit to the township. Police fired rubber bullets in an attempt to disperse the crowd. Police watchdog IPID has launched an investigation into whether police acted within the law. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SABC News reporter Thato Letsaba  

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says Cabinet has welcomed the peaceful protests held across the country on 30 June. The demonstrations, organised by the civic movement March and March and more than 20 other civil society organisations, called for the removal of undocumented foreign nationals and stricter enforcement of immigration laws. Cabinet also commended the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure for ensuring the protests remained peaceful and praised the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, chaired by Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, for its comprehensive approach to managing migration as announced by the President. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Political and Economic Risk Analyst, Marisa Lourenço

Alleged cartel member and attempted murder accused Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala is expected to appear before the Madlanga Commission next Tuesday. Matlala is at the centre of allegations of corruption and criminal infiltration within law enforcement agencies being investigated by the Commission. Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels says security arrangements for Matlala's appearance will not be disclosed publicly, but has assured that all necessary measures are in place. Matlala's appearance comes after the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court rejected an agreed eight-year plea and sentencing deal in the R228-million Medicare24 SAPS tender fraud case, proposing instead a 12-year direct prison sentence. For a legal perspective, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to legal analyst Mpumelelo Zikalala 

Businessman and alleged police informer Tumelo Nku's testimony before the Madlanga Commission has been postponed indefinitely due to security concerns. This has been confirmed by the commission's Chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga. Nku has been implicated in the Aeroton drug bust, which resulted in police recovering more than 700 kilogrammes of drugs in the south of Johannesburg in 2021. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to the commission's spokesperson Jeremy Michaels 

The City of Johannesburg's Deputy Mayor, Loyiso Masuku, and Transport MMC Kenny Kunene today led a multidisciplinary enforcement operation in Region E aimed at enforcing municipal by-laws, protecting public infrastructure, and tackling activities that undermine service delivery and public safety. , Bongiwe Zwane, spoke to the City of Johannesburg's Deputy Mayor, Loyiso Masuku.

The Chairperson of Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi says the committee has concluded its latest round of deliberations. Members are expected to receive the final draft report on Monday before meeting again on Wednesday to consider and adopt it. The committee yesterday deliberated on its draft preliminary report as it moves towards finalising its work. It has until the 16th of July to submit its findings to Parliament. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to ANC Whip of the Study Group on Ad Hoc committee, Khusela Diko 

The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thamsanqa Ntuli, says the province demonstrated democratic maturity during the recent marches against undocumented immigration, with thousands protesting peacefully and within the law. Ntuli praised law enforcement for maintaining order but confirmed that 51 people were arrested for alleged looting and other criminal activities linked to the demonstrations. He says those who exploited the marches for criminal purposes will face the full might of the law.

The Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes court has adjourned the 228-million rand Medicare24 tender case to the 13th of July for agreement on the sentencing of tenderpreneur, Vusimuzi Cat Matlala. The court this morning* rejected the state and the defence's proposed 8-year direct imprisonment, finding it to be too lenient. Instead it proposed a 12-year sentence. Matlala's lawyers consulted with him and they did not agree to the proposed sentence. Matlala pleaded guilty to fraud, corruption, and money laundering. Although he entered into a plea and sentencing agreement with the National Prosecuting Authority, the court found that a harsher sentence was justified. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Associate Attorney at Ulrich Roux & Associates, Bradon Wolmarans.....