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Zimbabwe continues to mourn 44 people killed when a ferry capsized on Lake Kariba
Zimbabwe is continuing to mourn the victims of the Lake Kariba ferry tragedy, with a memorial service held at Nyamhunga Stadium in Kariba town as families and the wider community grapple with the loss of at least 44 lives. The government-operated ferry capsized on Tuesday after reportedly encountering strong waves in bad weather. Official records indicate that at least 119 passengers and crew were documented on board, despite the vessel having a capacity of 90 people. 77 survivors have been rescued, while search and recovery operations continue for those still missing. Zimbabwe declared a State of Disaster, bringing additional resources into the rescue operation and providing support to affected families. Producer, Tracey Boomgaard caught up with Zimbabwe's Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe
SIU probes nearly R4 billion in contracts between Khumzi Investments and the Eastern Cape Department of Education
The Special Investigating Unit will now probe nearly R4 billion in contracts between Khumzi Investments and the Eastern Cape Department of Education. UDM leader, General Bantu Holomisa wrote to the Auditor-General and Parliament, flagging R3.4 billion allegedly spent on travel and accommodation over five years. He says 1,317 payments worth R336 million were made to the company in 2025 alone, while many schools still lack basics like toilets and transport. We spoke to General Holomisa.
Gauteng's Community Safety Committee concerned about intimidation and threats against community patrollers
The Gauteng Provincial Legislature's Community Safety Committee meets today in Sandton to examine the management of Community Policing Forums and community patrollers. The session follows claims of intimidation, threats of contract termination and interference with patrollers' right to freedom of association. Committee Chairperson Dr. Bandile Masuku says they will hear directly from affected groups and assess governance in community safety structures. We spoke to Dr. BandileMasuku
A look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoeswana
A look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoeswana, author of Africa Is Open For Business and Africa Bounces Back
President Ramaphosa calls for cheaper electricity to save jobs
President Cyril Ramaphosa says business played a significant role in ending load shedding in South Africa. Speaking at the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa Presidential Business Breakfast underway in Ekurhuleni, Ramaphosa says the country had made major progress in securing electricity supply.He says the next phase of electricity reform must focus on reducing the cost of power, particularly for energy-intensive industries facing the threat of closure and job losses.
CAF urges caution amid Fifa governance tensions
CAF President Patrice Motsepe has urged caution and called for strict adherence to good governance as global football faces growing internal tensions surrounding Fifa President Gianni Infantino. Infantino, who tried and failed to sell off part of the World Cup to private investors, came under renewed fire in an open letter signed by three confederations: Europe's Uefa, North and Central America's Concacaf, and Asia's AFC, accusing the world football boss of breaking trust "through deception". SAfm sports anchor has more Jon Gericke.
Zambia voters prioritise living conditions, says expert
The Zambians are today voting to elect a new president. The current President Hakainde Hichilema is seeking a re-election for the second term. During his first term he had to address the economic crisis in that country. Hichilema is hoping that he will get another mandate to serve the country. However, the cost of living remains a major concern for voters. Hichilema's main challenger is opposition candidate Brian Mundubile. For an analysis Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Tendai Mbaje Governance and Election Expert, from University of Pretoria
Mapisa-Nqakula defence challenges State’s evidence
The defence of former Defence Minister and National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula says it will apply for her discharge in terms of Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act. They argue that the State has failed to establish a prima facie case against her. Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering in the High Court in Pretoria and has pleaded not guilty to all counts. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Zara Groenewald
Reverend Chikane says poisoning attempt left lasting trauma
Anti-apartheid activist and former Presidency Director-General Reverend Frank Chikane, testifying before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Cases Inquiry, says the attempted poisoning left him with a significant trauma while trying to establish what had happened to him. He is responding to an affidavit by Yasmin Suka, who questioned his decision not to oppose pardon applications by five people convicted of attempting to murder him. Chikane says his refusal was motivated by the pain and trauma associated with repeatedly revisiting the matter.
Malema set to face criminal prosecution after NPA agrees to charge him with crimen injuria
EFF leader Julius Malema is set to face criminal prosecution after the National Prosecuting Authority agreed to charge him with crimen injuria. The case relates to comments he made in April 2025 in which he accused a former Bergview College principal of raping a seven-year-old girl, a matter the NPA previously declined to prosecute due to lack of evidence. AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit, which backed the complaint, says the decision is a test of accountability and the right to dignity. The unit has also filed complaints against ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula and Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gade over similar allegations.We spoke to Afriforum's Private Prosecution Unit Spokesperson, Barry Bateman.
Madlanga Commission hears of 149 people killed in 77 incidents KZN over three years
The Madlanga Commission has heard that 149 people were killed in 77 incidents involving police task teams in KwaZulu-Natal over three years. IPID Deputy Director for Investigations, Len John told the Commission the deaths relate to Cash-in-Transit, taxi violence and drug unit operations in the province. John described the shootings as extra-judicial killings and alleged officers delay calling IPID to scenes to manipulate investigations. He says some suspects were killed at dawn with claims they fired first. We spoke to Jabulani Mabena, National Spokesperson for the South African Policing Union (SAPU)
South Africa challenged by more than 27 000 vacant teaching posts.
South Africa is facing more than 27,000 vacant teaching posts, even as thousands of qualified teachers remain unemployed. Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube told Parliament the national vacancy rate stood at 7% as of June 2026, with the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng hit hardest. The department says a PERSAL vacancy does not always mean an empty classroom, with provinces using temporary and acting appointments to fill gaps. We speak to Mr. Basil manuel, Executive Director of the National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa, NAPTOSA on why posts are not being filled and what needs to change.
Lake Kariba Ferry Disaster Death Toll Rises To 38
Twenty-four more bodies have been recovered from Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba, bringing the confirmed death toll in the ferry disaster to 38. Officials have also confirmed that the vessel was overloaded at the time of the accident. The country has declared a State of Disaster following the capsizing of the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency vessel that was travelling from Kariba to Chalala.It was carrying 119 people, 114 passengers and five crew members, with an unconfirmed number of children also believed to be on board. Recovery operations are continuing, with police and army teams leading efforts to locate and recover those still missing. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC Correspondent in Zimbabwe Ephert Musekiwa
IPID Evidence Links Police To Drug Trade, Madlanga Commission Hears
The Deputy Director for Investigations at IPID in KwaZulu-Natal Len John, says there is evidence of links between some police officers, tow-truck operators and the drug trade. Testifying before the Madlanga Commission, John alleges that some tow trucks are used to transport drugs and receive preferential treatment at roadblocks. The commission has today shifted its focus to alleged hit squads operating in KwaZulu-Natal and consisting of members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) who allegedly commit extra-judicial killings.
Government Urged To Strengthen Illicit Alcohol Enforcement
The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance South Africa (SAAPA SA) says the illicit alcohol sales have increased by an even greater percentage of 55%. SAAPA SA says as government continues to review alcohol taxation and broader policy interventions, public debate has increasingly been shaped by competing claims regarding illicit trade, employment and the economic impact of stronger alcohol control measures. We spoke to Campaign Director of the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in SA, Nomcebo Dlamini....
DGG : Spaza Funding Discrepancies Flagged Before Payments Approved
Deputy Director-General for the Department of Small Business Development, Qinisile Delwa, says discrepancies identified during the verification of spaza shop funding applications were flagged before any money was approved or paid out. The Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development is today receiving a briefing from the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEDFA) and the department of Small Business on the Public Protector's report, concerning allegations that some funding from the R500 million Spaza Shop Support Fund was disbursed to foreign nationals. Deputy Director-General for the Department of Small Business Development, Qinisile Delwa briefing the committee had this to say
DIRCO Says SADC Meeting Tackles Youth Unemployment, Mineral Beneficiation
The SADC Council of Ministers is meeting in Durban today ahead of the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government. In his opening address, South Africa's International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has called on member states to support a woman for the position of United Nations Secretary-General. The UN will soon elect a new leader at the helm of the world body. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson Chrispin Phiri
RISE Mzansi says South Africa's current economic approach is no longer working
South Africa's latest employment figures have once again raised alarm over the country's jobs crisis. Statistics South Africa's second-quarter 2026 Quarterly Labour Force Survey shows the official unemployment rate rising to 33.6%, with 345,000 more people joining the ranks of the unemployed, while total employment fell to around 16.7 million. RISE Mzansi argues that these figures are evidence that South Africa's current economic approach is no longer working, saying government needs a fundamentally different approach to job creation and economic growth. We spoke to RISE Mzansi's National leader, Songezo Zibi to unpack South Africa's jobs crisis and what needs to change.
COJ says it cannot directly absorb 385 Pikitup casual workers
The City of Johannesburg says it cannot directly employ 385 casual Pikitup workers because they are contracted through a service provider. Deputy Mayor Loyiso Masuku says the City has a Service Level Agreement with that company and negotiations are ongoing to resolve the waste collection strike that has left rubbish piling up across the city.
Fadiel Adams’ faulty laptop claims questioned
Parliament says its ICT records do not support claims by National Coloured Congress MP Fadiel Adams that his parliamentary laptop was persistently faulty for 18 months. Mr Adams told the Madlanga Commission yesterday the device had repeatedly frozen and delayed his access to correspondence. Parliament spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo elaborates. We also spoke to Dr. Bongani Nkosi, Criminal Law expert at the University of Limpopo.
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