listen to METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope
METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Armed And Unafraid? Women in South Africa arming themselves for protection
South Africa’s violent crime crisis is changing the way many women think about safety, survival and self-defence. From kidnappings and home invasions to gender-based violence and violent robberies, fear has become part of daily life for many South Africans — and increasingly, women are deciding they do not want to feel helpless anymore. For some, that means learning self-defence. For others, it means firearm training and legal gun ownership. Tonight we explore the growing number of women taking an active role in their own protection, and the difficult questions that come with it. Is firearm ownership becoming a form of empowerment for women in a country battling extreme violence? Or does putting more guns into civilian hands create even greater risks? We’ll also speak to GOSA Girls on Fire, a women’s empowerment initiative focused on turning victims into victors through practical skills, situational awareness and confidence-building. In a country where many women feel unsafe almost everywhere they go, what does true empowerment actually look like?
COMMUNITY RADIO AWARDS ( MOTSEKI MANNUYA FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE AWARDS )
Community radio has long been the soundtrack of everyday South African life — from township streets to rural villages, from local debates to breaking news that matters directly to communities. And now, the sector’s biggest voices, storytellers and behind-the-scenes champions are preparing for one of the industry’s biggest nights: the 2nd Annual Community Radio Awards. Returning after a successful debut in 2025, this year’s awards carry the theme “Lights, Camera, Radio!” — celebrating the growth, creativity and resilience of community broadcasting in an increasingly competitive media landscape. Organized by Boitumelo Media Group, the awards aim to honour the stations and individuals who continue to inform, educate and empower millions of listeners across the country. From presenters and producers to technical teams and current affairs programmes, the awards are shining a spotlight on the people who keep grassroots radio alive. Tonight we look at why community radio still matters in South Africa, and whether the industry is finally getting the recognition it deserves.
Missing Behind the System ( Amabhungane journalist Orrin Sigh )
South Africans are being confronted with a deeply unsettling question tonight: how can nearly 30,000 parolees and probation offenders simply disappear from the system? A damning investigation by amaBhungane has revealed that Correctional Services cannot account for thousands of offenders — including people convicted of violent crimes such as murder, rape, kidnapping and armed robbery. The investigation paints a picture of a criminal justice system under severe strain, plagued by overcrowded prisons, broken monitoring systems, collapsed tracing units and poor coordination between Correctional Services and the SAPS. AmaBhungane journalist Orrin Singh says authorities are effectively out of touch with what is happening on the ground. So what does this mean for public safety? Are dangerous offenders slipping through the cracks while government systems fail to communicate with one another? And perhaps most importantly — who should be held accountable when the state loses track of convicted criminals?
Paying the Party Price? ( Warrant officer Zinzi Hani )
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party is once again making headlines — but this time, it’s not about election rallies or political battles. It’s about allegations of fraud involving one of the party’s most senior parliamentary figures. MK Party chief whip Mmabatho Mokoena-Zondi has been arrested and is expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court after claims that she allegedly took more than R233 000 from party employees. According to allegations, staff members were instructed to hand over between 50 and 60 percent of their monthly salaries under the explanation that the money was needed to cover legal costs linked to party leader Jacob Zuma. Now, the arrest raises uncomfortable questions about power, loyalty, and political pressure inside emerging political movements. Were vulnerable employees manipulated in the name of party unity? And what does this scandal say about accountability in South African politics, especially in parties built around powerful personalities?
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: The Witchcraft Stigma Crisis: Can South Africa End Witchcraft-Related Violence?
Tonight we confront a disturbing reality that many believe belongs in the past — the brutal killing of elderly women accused of witchcraft. Despite South Africa’s democracy and constitutional protections, witchcraft-related violence continues to haunt rural communities, where fear, stigma, poverty and lack of education often collide. Why are vulnerable elderly women still becoming targets, and what will it take to stop these killings?
IEC LAUNCHES VOTER CAMPAIGN BUT WILL PEOPLE TURN OUT IN THEIR NUMBERS?
South Africa’s democracy was built on the promise that every voice matters — but more and more people are choosing silence at the ballot box. In the 2024 national elections, less than half of eligible voters actually voted, raising serious concerns about trust in the political system, confidence in leadership, and whether citizens still believe their vote can bring meaningful change. Tonight, we unpack the growing voter apathy in South Africa, what it says about the state of our democracy, and whether political leaders — and institutions like the IEC — have done enough to earn the public’s trust. We’re joined by Ground Work Collective CEO, Mbali Ntuli.
Living In Fear: Gauteng’s Kidnapping Crisis Deepens ( CRIMINOLOGIST UNISA PROFESSOR JACOB MOFOKENG AND CRIME EXPERT THABANG BOGOPA )
Tonight, we confront a terrifying reality unfolding in Gauteng — a province now recording an average of 27 kidnappings every single day. These are not random crimes anymore. Experts say kidnapping syndicates have evolved into sophisticated criminal businesses, targeting ordinary South Africans through hijackings, social media traps, dating apps, and even ransom schemes designed to drain victims’ bank accounts within hours. Tonight we ask: Why is kidnapping escalating so rapidly in South Africa? Are criminal syndicates outsmarting law enforcement? And how do ordinary citizens protect themselves in a society where fear is becoming part of daily life?
RISE Mzansi’s Joburg Gamble: Can Lukhona Mnguni Fix Johannesburg? (
Tonight, Johannesburg’s political battlefield takes another dramatic turn. RISE Mzansi has officially announced political analyst and public policy expert Lukhona Mnguni as its mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg. Known for holding politicians accountable from the outside, Mnguni now wants to step directly into the arena — promising ethical leadership, competent governance and a reset for a city battered by corruption scandals, collapsing infrastructure, water shortages, electricity failures and coalition chaos. But can an analyst successfully transition into executive leadership? And does Johannesburg still believe any politician can truly rescue South Africa’s economic hub?
KARABO KHAKHAU UNFILTERED
Tonight, we sit down with one of the Democratic Alliance’s most outspoken and fast-rising young voices in Parliament — Karabo Khakhau. Fearless, confrontational, and often controversial, Khakhau has become one of the loudest figures in the fight against alleged corruption inside South Africa’s SETA system — a battle that has placed her directly in the political spotlight. Over the past year, she has pushed aggressively for accountability around Sector Education and Training Authorities, accusing political elites of turning institutions meant to empower young South Africans into what she calls “cash cows for cadres.”
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: AFRICA DAY SPECIAL — IS XENOPHOBIA UN-AFRICAN?
Tonight, as millions across the continent marked Africa Day — a day meant to celebrate unity, liberation, solidarity and the dream of Pan-Africanism — South Africa once again finds itself confronting uncomfortable questions about who belongs, who is welcome, and whether the ideals of African unity still hold meaning in modern Africa. DR MALUSI MNCUBE - RESEARCH ASSOCIATE AND AUTHOUR - UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG DR KGOSI LETLAPE - ACTION SA MP MENZI KA GUDU MASEKO - REVOLUTIONARY CULTURAL ACTIVIST AND AFRIKOLOGIST
SECURITY UPGRADE IN KRUGER PARK AFTER KILLING OF TWO INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS ( Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Willie Aucamp )
Earlier today, SANParks confirmed a major escalation in security operations within the Kruger National Park following the killing of two international tourists in the Pafuri Section. The couple’s bodies were discovered on Friday after they failed to return to their accommodation as scheduled, triggering a large-scale search operation that ended in tragedy. SANParks says it is now deploying additional rangers and strengthening surveillance and early warning systems across the park in response to the incident. Limpopo police have opened two cases of murder and hijacking, as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the couple’s death. Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Willie Aucamp has extended his condolences to the grieving family, as authorities move to reassure both local and international visitors about safety in one of the country’s most visited tourism destinations.
SAPS Forensic Captain in Court After Early Morning Arrest Over Justice Obstruction Allegations ( SAPS NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON ATHLENDA MATHE )
Earlier this morning, a senior police captain attached to the SAPS Forensic Sciences Laboratory made a brief court appearance at the Pretoria Magistrates Court following a dramatic arrest that has sent shockwaves through the policing community. The officer was arrested at his home on Friday morning by the Madlanga Commission’s Recommendations Task Team, marking the first arrest to directly stem from testimony and findings linked to the commission. He faces charges of defeating the ends of justice in what investigators say are linked to several high-profile murder cases. During the arrest operation, authorities reportedly confiscated key state-related materials, including ballistic reports, ammunition, and other evidential items considered crucial to ongoing investigations. Police say the seizure forms part of efforts to establish whether there was interference or mishandling of critical forensic evidence. As we come on air tonight, the case is now firmly before the courts, with investigators tightening the net on what could be a deeper pattern of obstruction within the justice system.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: Buried Differently: Are Vertical Graves the Future of Township Burials?
As cemeteries in townships continue to run out of space, funeral industry leaders are proposing a controversial alternative: vertical burials — a system already used in countries like Colombia and parts of Asia and Europe. The idea would see graves stacked above one another in specially designed burial structures, using far less land than traditional cemeteries. Supporters argue that South Africa’s growing population, overcrowded townships, and rising burial costs make it necessary to rethink how the dead are laid to rest. Some even believe vertical burials could become a culturally acceptable alternative to cremation. But critics say the proposal clashes with African cultural and spiritual traditions around ancestry, land, and dignity in death. Others fear it could commercialise mourning and disconnect families from sacred burial practices that have existed for generations. ON THE LINE: DR NOMFUNDO MCOYI-ZONDO - SOUTH AFRICAN FUNERAL PRACTITIONERS ASSOCIATION MENZI KA GUDU MASEKO - REVOLUTIONARY CULTURAL ACTIVIST AND AFRIKOLOGIST.
Silenced by Bullets? The Assassination of Activist Thato Molosankwe Raises Fears Over Speaking Out ( PASTOR LESIBA KGWELE - CONVENER OF THE MORAL REGENERATION MOVEMENT - NORTH WEST PROVINCIAL COMMITTEE )
The killing of North West activist Thato Molosankwe has sent shockwaves through Mahikeng and reignited fears about the dangers faced by outspoken community voices in South Africa. Molosankwe was gunned down inside his home in Lomanyaneng after armed men allegedly stormed in and opened fire multiple times before fleeing the scene. Nothing was stolen, and his family believes the murder was carefully planned — an assassination meant to silence a man who spent years exposing corruption, service delivery failures and political wrongdoing. Known for his fearless activism and strong social media presence, Molosankwe became a prominent voice for frustrated residents in Mahikeng. He frequently challenged local authorities and spoke openly about issues many feared to confront. His family says he understood the risks that came with his activism and often spoke about death as an inevitability if he continued speaking out. Now, questions are mounting over whether South Africa is becoming increasingly dangerous for activists, whistleblowers and community leaders who challenge powerful interests. As police continue investigations with no arrests yet made, many are asking: who benefits when outspoken voices are permanently silenced?
A City on the Brink or a City on the Rise? ( JOHANNESBURG MAYOR DADA MORERO )
Just one day after delivering what may be his final State of the City Address as Johannesburg mayor, Dada Morero joins us at a time when many residents are asking a simple but urgent question — is the city truly recovering, or are leaders painting over a deepening crisis? In an address delivered at the historic Cathedral of St Mary the Virgin in the newly renamed Archbishop Desmond Tutu Precinct, Mayor Morero struck an optimistic tone. He spoke of Johannesburg as “Africa’s richest city,” highlighted migration figures suggesting more people are choosing Joburg over Cape Town, and defended his administration’s record on jobs, infrastructure and economic resilience. But outside the hall, many residents are still grappling with collapsing infrastructure, failing service delivery, water shortages, potholes, power outages, hijacked buildings, and growing frustration over the city’s governance. All of this while Johannesburg faces a looming R5.2 billion Eskom debt threat that could have devastating implications for the metro. And then there were the political undertones — with Morero taking swipes at Cape Town and the DA, while Helen Zille sat in the audience to a chorus of boos. Was this a farewell speech focused on legacy building, or an attempt to shape the political narrative ahead of local government elections? Tonight, we speak directly to Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero about his legacy, the criticism surrounding his administration, and whether the city he says is “on the rise” is the same Johannesburg residents experience every day.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: The End of “Pointless Presence”? Rethinking the South African Workplace
Tonight we ask whether the daily commute is becoming an unnecessary burden in a country already battling rising living costs. With fuel prices climbing yet again, more workers are questioning why they are expected to sit in traffic for hours — only to spend the day doing work that could easily be done remotely. It’s a debate increasingly being described as the end of “pointless presence” — the idea that employees must physically be at the office simply to be seen, rather than because the work actually requires it. Companies across South Africa and around the world are now rethinking traditional office culture, with many shifting toward hybrid and remote work models. But while some employers say flexibility boosts productivity and wellbeing, others argue that in- person collaboration remains essential. So tonight, we unpack whether businesses are finally embracing a new way of working — or whether outdated ideas about supervision and visibility are still shaping the modern workplace.
State of the City or State of Crisis? Political Parties React to Dada Morero’s Address ( ACTION SA LEADER HERMAN MASHABA )
Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has delivered what could be one of the most politically significant State of State of the City or State of Crisis? Political Parties React to Dada Morero’s Address the City Addresses of his term — attempting to reassure frustrated residents that the city is turning a corner despite mounting crises around water, electricity, finances and collapsing service delivery. The mayor also highlighted intensified operations in the inner city targeting illegal activity and undocumented foreign nationals — an issue that continues to divide political parties and residents alike. But opposition parties argue that the speech offered promises without clear solutions, especially as communities continue to grapple with dry taps, power uncertainty, potholes, deteriorating infrastructure and concerns over governance failures. Tonight, we unpack the political reaction to the mayor’s address and ask whether Joburg residents heard a credible recovery plan — or simply election-season messaging ahead of local government polls.
Justice Delayed, Justice Derailed? The NPA Under Pressure After Joe “Ferrari” Case Struck Off The Roll ( LEGAL EXPERT NTHABISENG DABAZANA )
Questions are now being raised about accountability inside South Africa’s criminal justice system after the extortion case against alleged taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and three co-accused was struck off the court roll — not because evidence was tested, but because of delays linked to the state itself. The matter took a dramatic turn at the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court when prosecutor Mkhuselo Ntaba failed to appear despite reportedly informing the court beforehand that he would not be able to attend. The magistrate not only struck the case off the roll due to what was described as an unreasonable delay, but also held the prosecutor in contempt of court and issued a warrant for his arrest. Now the National Prosecuting Authority says it is studying the ruling and considering its next steps — raising wider questions about prosecutorial conduct, court management, and whether high-profile criminal matters are being undermined by procedural failures. To help us unpack the legal implications of this decision, the powers available to the NPA, and what this means for the future of the case against Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and his co-accused.
AFTER 8 IS AFTER 8: The Gold Mafia: How Organised Crime Profits from South Africa’s Zama Zama Crisis ( Graham Coetzer - AUTHOR OF NEW BOOK “ZAMA ZAMA INSIDE THE ILLICID MINING UNDERWORLD”. )
Tonight, we go far beyond the headlines and deep into South Africa’s illegal mining underworld — a world of abandoned shafts, armed syndicates, underground economies and communities living in fear. Journalist and author Graham Coetzer takes us behind the scenes of years spent embedded with zama zama networks, private security teams and police raids in some of the country’s most dangerous illegal mining hotspots.
The Great Return? South Africans Recalibrating Where They Call Home ( Wise Move CEO Chante Venter )
For years, the Western Cape was seen as South Africa’s promised land — drawing thousands of semigrants chasing safety, lifestyle and better governance. But new data now suggests the tide may be turning. A report tracking more than 30,000 household moves across the country reveals a sharp increase in people relocating back to Gauteng, with affordability pressures and economic realities reshaping migration patterns. Experts say this is no longer just a story about people leaving provinces behind — it’s about South Africans constantly recalibrating their lives in response to rising living costs, job opportunities and long-term sustainability. So what is driving this “return migration,” and what does it reveal about the state of South Africa’s economy and quality of life?
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