On the day the Police Minister released the national crime statistics, which indicated a drop in cash-in-transit robberies, two people - one a cash in transit guard - were shot and killed in an armed robbery at a shopping mall in Ga-Rankuwa, north of Pretoria. The latest statistics indicate cash-in-transit robberies are down by 17-point-nine per cent and bank robberies by 19 per cent. Ga-Rankuwa has been labelled as one of the crime hot-spots in Gauteng. Phanuel Shuma reports from the crime scene at Ga-Rankuwa shopping mall.

Unemployment and poverty continue to be among some the biggest challenges facing South Africa. With the unofficial unemployment rate at almost 40 percent, and the economic growth revised downwards, the gap between the rich and the poor is likely to grow wider. This is part of the reason why the Nelson Mandela Foundation has invited renowned French economist Professor Thomas Piketty, to deliver the 13th annual Nelson Mandela Lecture. He is popular for his views on inequality. Morafe Tabane reports

1. Asian stocks tumbled toward an almost three-year low, the cost of insuring debt in the region surged and the yen advanced as a selloff in commodity-trading firms spooked investors
2. The 15-month commodities free-fall is starting to resemble a full-blown crisis - Glencore
3. South Africa's rand weakens as China growth worries weigh on EM

Mineral resource deputy minister,Godfrey Oliphant, says some illegal mining operation needs to be legalized. This follows a recent incident where five bodies were discovered in an open veld in Springs on Gauteng's East Rand. Sakina spoke to Social Anthropologist from Wits University, who has done research on illegal mining, Prof Robert Thornton.

Mineral resource deputy minister, Godfrey Oliphant, says some illegal mining operation needs to be legalized. This follows a recent incident where five bodies were discovered in an open veld in Springs on Gauteng's East Rand. A fight is believed to have ensued between rival groups of illegal miners in the area. Some of the miners had been shot, while others stabbed with sharp objects. Oliphant say they will not rest until they eliminate the big shots behind the illegal operations. Mpho Lepedi reports

A defiant Zimbabwean President and AU Chair, Robert Mugabe has denounced what he called the illegal sanctions imposed on his country by the European Union and the United States. The 91-year old president was addressing the UN General Debate in New York. He re-iterated Africa's common position on the reform of the Security Council and rejected attempts to prescribe new rights that are contrary to the values and traditions of certain countries. Sherwin Bryce-Pease reports

President Jacob Zuma has given a hard hitting speech at the United Nations General Assembly urging the international body to be more reflective of today's world. Addressing the 70th session in New York, president Zuma decried the lack progress in resolving the Palestinian question and urged the world to tackle the climate challenge when the UN conference meets in Paris in December. Presidential correspondent Tshepo Ikaneng reports from New York.

About eighty offenders are serving their prison terms in dilapidated structures made from corrugated iron at the Tzaneen correctional centre in Limpopo. This is despite having a newly built prison, standing vacant in the vicinity. Last week two prisoners escaped from the structure through the roof. There is also no recreational facilities for the inmates. Correctional service officers are operating from an old farm house that has been converted into offices. Witness Tiva reports

South African comedian Trevor Noah has officially taken over from Jon Stewart as the host of the Daily Show. Noah's grandmother, Nomalizo Noah, says she is a proud grandmother. The 88 year old was at her Orlando east home in Soweto when the show was aired. Pearl Magubane reports

The SABC's annual financial report tabled in parliament last week drew strong criticisms from a host of political organisations in the country. Many questioned the wisdom of a pay rise of R1million to the broadcaster's COO, while the Corporation had incurred a R400 million loss in the last financial year. On the Forum@8 we speak to the SABC Chief Operations Officer, Hlaudi Motsoeneng the Chief Financial Officer James Aguma and SABC’s Commercial Adviser Anton Heinus