Update@Noon

The March and March group is today continuing its protest in Johannesburg, gathering outside the Gauteng Legislature. Demonstrators claim illegal immigration is fuelling unemployment and labour violations. It is the second day of the movement's campaign in the city. They plan to hand over a memorandum of demands to the Gauteng provincial legislature. The group says it seeks urgent government action on border control, jobs protection, and enforcement of labour laws issues. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter Calvin Dludla  

The case of nine people accused of the killing of a part-time lecturer at the Tshwane University of Technology, Sifundo Madasi, has been postponed to June in the Soshanguve Magistrate's Court north of Pretoria. The group allegedly killed Madasi in Soshanguve in February after accusing him of sexually assaulting two minors. All the accused are on bail of two thousand rand each under strict conditions, including not contacting state witnesses. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter Nonhlanhla Ntshingila 

Parliament's Social Development Committee Chairperson Bridget Masango says allegations against Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe are being treated as serious, but remain unproven. Masango confirms the minister will be summoned to account before Parliament. The allegations against Minister Tolashe include the alleged misuse of a public servant as a nanny at her official residence and the redirection of vehicle donations meant for the ANC Women's League. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Political Analyst, Professor Boitumelo Senokoane

Organization Undoing Tax Abuse Senior Project Manager Rudie Heyneke says leadership instability at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme is deeply troubling. He points out that losing two chairpersons in under two years raises serious governance concerns. This after Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela announced resignations from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) board. Interim chairperson Mugwena Maluleke stepped down on Monday, citing personal and academic commitments, while board member Karabo Mohale has also resigned, having chaired the human resources and organizational development committee.Sakina Kamwendo spoke Organization Undoing Tax Abuse senior project manager Rudie Heyneke 

The Office of the Auditor General is today briefing the Standing Committee on Public Accounts in Parliament on the latest audit outcomes of metropolitan municipalities. The Auditor-General's business unit leader for the Free State, Odwa Duda, has reported to members that the audit findings for the Mangaung Metro in the Free State reveal ongoing weaknesses in financial control. Duda, says the audit outcome in Mangaung Metro has remained unchanged for three consecutive years with growing areas of concern.

March and March Movement together with several other political parties are marching to the Union Buildings in Pretoria today. The parties say the march is over unemployment, safety, dignity and access to opportunities. The movement is also concerned about what it describes as the deterioration of the country including crime and illegal migration. To discuss this further Sakina Kamwendo spoke to ATM National Spokesperson, Zama Ntshona. 

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has written to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to ask that the National Treasury investigate possible irregularities in the procurement process for textbooks for Grade 1-3 pupils. Allegations surfaced  that publishing company Lighthouse Publishers (Pty) Ltd, which stood to make more than R285 million producing textbooks and learning and teaching support materials for the Department of Basic Education, was registered three days after the contract specifications were issued. Minister spokesperson Lukhanyo Vangqa explains 

Amnesty International South Africa says the promise of dignity and equality for all remains unfulfilled for millions of people as the country commemorates 32 years since the end of Apartheid. The organisation says millions of South Africans are still denied basic services in the new dispensation. Amnesty International says today, more than five million people live in informal settlements that are routinely flooded, neglected and forgotten, trapped in cycles of hardship that undermine the very freedoms won in 1994. Elvis Presslin spoke to Spokesperson for Amnesty International South Africa, Genevieve Quintal....

The South African Council of Churches and its counterparts the Reformed Church in America (RCA), Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP),  the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) says they reject the false narrative of a so-called "White genocide" in South Africa. The SACC says on Freedom Day they gather to reflect on the shared and interconnected realities facing our contexts in the United States, South Africa, and Palestine/Israel. We recognize that the church is called not only to spiritual reflection but to prophetic engagement in the face of injustice, violence, and dehumanization wherever it occurs. To discuss this further we are joined on the line by General Secretary of the Reformed Church in America, Rev. Eddy Alemán 

The South African Federation of Trade Unions says Freedom Day must go beyond celebration, as the country marks the occasion today at Dr Rantlai Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein. The federation warns political freedom remains incomplete without economic justice, citing deepening inequality and unemployment. It says the vision of the Freedom Charter has been undermined, while urging government to prioritise redistribution and decent work. Elvis Presslin spoke to SAFTU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi