SAfm Current Affairs
JP Smith seeks investigative powers to fight extortion and shootings.
Cape Town is grappling with a surge in violent shootings. As of today, six people were gunned down in separate incidents four killed in Maitland and two shot dead in Kensington. This follows a weekend tavern attack in Philippi East that claimed eight lives. MMC for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says the city has long sought investigative powers to better tackle extortion, kidnappings, and firearm crimes, highlighting frustration over the ongoing violence. MMC for Safety and Security, JP Smith Reacts.
El Shaddai Christian School mourns four learners in fatal Vanderbijlpark crash.
The El Shaddai Christian School in the Vaal will today hold a prayer service for the 12 learners who lost their lives in yesterday’s scholar transport crash. 12 children died in the scholar transport crash in the Vaal on Monday, with one child still unidentified. The department of education in Gauteng says preliminary investigations into the cause of the scholar transport crash in Vanderbijlpark indicate that the driver was attempting to overtake multiple vehicles when a head-on collision with a truck occurred. SABC reporter Sashin Naidoo spoke to the director of El Shaddai Christian School, Selloane Setai.
Police arrest 22-year-old driver for Vanderbijlpark scholar crash killing 12.
The police have arrested the 22-year-old scholar transport driver who was involved in an accident that claimed the lives of 12 learners in Vanderbijlpark on Monday. Police say the driver was arrested after he was discharged from the hospital. He is expected to appear before Vanderbijlpark Magistrates' Court within 48 hours, facing charges of twelve counts of culpable homicide and reckless and negligent driving. Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo explains.
RISE Mzansi mourns loss of learners in Vanderbijlpark crash
RISE Mzansi is mourning the loss of learners in a devastating crash in Vanderbijlpark, Johannesburg. The party is calling for improved road safety measures, including regular stats updates to Parliament and a clampdown on unroadworthy vehicles. The Department of Transport recently reported a 5% reduction in road deaths but RISE Mzansi says more needs to be done. Elvis Presslin spoke to RISE Mzansi Chief Organiser and National Assembly Whip and MP, Makashule Gana...
Backlash over removal of artwork from the Venice Biennale
The South African government is facing backlash over the removal of an artwork from the Venice Biennale. Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie pulled Gabrielle Goliath's Elegy, citing "division", but critics say it's a clear case of state censorship. The artwork, a ritualised practice of mourning, tackles femicide, sexual violence and patriarchal systems. McKenzie's move has sparked outrage, with the DA condemning the action and calling for his accountability. Human rights activist, Academic and Multidisciplinary artist, Tauriq Jenkins says the decision is a "profound and shameful indictment" of the minister and his department". He spoke to Elvis Presslin
Driver negligence blamed for killing of 14 learners
The Greater Gauteng Learner Transport Organisation has pinned the blame for the Vanderbijlpark accident, In Vaal which killed 14 learners, on the driver's negligence. The Organisation's General Secretary Sibongile Maseko says the driver had proper documentation but failed to ensure safety. She spoke to our Senior producer Ronald Phiri, expressing her sorrow and that they're working with authorities to improve scholar transport safety.
Grieving mother speaks on the Vanderbijlpark crash
Parents of the 14 learners killed in a tragic taxi scholar transport accident in Vanderbijlpark say they are still waiting for a visit from the owner of the taxi and the taxi organisation. Elvis Presslin spoke to Mmaki Josephine Mokhobo, a grieving mother who lost her daughter in the tragic scholar transport accident.
Gauteng pledges stricter rules after fatal collision.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his sadness at the loss of life in a collision involving a scholar transport vehicle this morning. This as chaotic scenes are unfolding in Vanderbijlpark in Golden highway, where distraught parents are demanding access to the scene of a deadly scholar transport crash. Families are pleading to see the bodies of their children who died when a minibus taxi collided with a truck earlier this morning. 13 learners were killed on impact, while five others sustained critical injuries and were rushed to the hospital. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Gauteng education department spokesperson Steve Mabona
Urgent fixes demanded for unsafe scholar transport.
The South African Human Rights Commission has flagged deep-rooted failures in the scholar transport system, warning that overloaded and unroadworthy vehicles are putting learners at risk. The Commission has given provincial authorities 60 days to report on corrective action and 90 days to implement consequence management against officials accused of poor oversight. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the provincial manager of the South African Human Rights Commission in the North West, Shirley Mlombo.
Limpopo floods: 17 dead, four still missing.
The flood-related death toll in Mpumalanga and Limpopo currently stands at 31. In Mpumalanga, 20 people have died, while 17 died in Limpopo. Incidents of drowning continue to emerge from the Phalaborwa, Giyani, and Thohoyandou areas of Limpopo. Heavy rains have battered various parts of the provinces, damaging homes, roads, and bridges. For the latest, Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the Limpopo Cooperative Governance Human Settlements Traditional Affairs MEC, Basikopo Makamu.
Probe Demanded Over SANDF Defiance of Presidential Orders
ActionSA and the Democratic Alliance are calling for an urgent investigation into reports that senior SANDF officials defied President Cyril Ramaphosa's orders during naval drills in Simon's Town. The President had reportedly instructed that Iran be excluded from the exercises, but Iranian warships allegedly took part. ActionSA's parliamentary chief whip, Lerato Ngobeni, says this is a "serious breach of the constitutional chain of command". Ngobeni has written to the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, demanding answers. Elvis Presslin spoke to Lerato Ngobeni for more on this developing story
SALGA Urges Immediate Action to Improve Disaster Management Systems
The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) is calling for urgent national action to strengthen disaster management systems. The government has declared a national disaster in provinces hit by severe flooding, including KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the Western Cape, which has also faced fires. SALGA Chairperson for Emergency Services and Disaster Management Working Group, Mluleki Nkosi says affected municipalities are struggling to cope due to resource constraints. Elvis Presslin spoke to Mluleki Nkosi to elaborate further on his sentiments
RISE Mzansi backs National Treasury's move to extend the online gambling tax comment period
RISE Mzansi is backing National Treasury's decision to extend the deadline for public comment on the proposed online gambling tax to the 27th of February this year. The party is urging all South Africans to participate in the process, saying the proposed tax is a step towards regulating an industry that has caused harm to lives and livelihoods. Elvis Presslin spoke to RISE Mzansi Chief Organiser and National Assembly Whip and MP, Makashule Gana
Government Declares National Disaster as Floods and Wildfires Hit Multiple Provinces
The government has declared a national disaster in provinces hit by severe flooding, including KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the Western Cape; which has also experiencenced wild fires. Heavy rainfall has displaced many communities, damaged homes and disrupted basic services. The South African Red Cross Society has responded to the disasters, but says that collective action is needed to address the scale of the impact. For an update; Elvis Presslin spoke to Kwa Zulu Natal Red Cross Provincial Manager Siyabonga Hlatshwayo
Government considers declaring state of disaster in Limpopo and Mpumalanga
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, last night convened an urgent Inter-Governmental Committee on Disaster to discuss the state of the provinces following the devastating floods that have ravaged parts of Mpumalanga and Limpopo. The minister, accompanied by Mpumalanga Premier, Mandla Ndlovu and the National Disaster Management Center team, visited some of the worst affected areas YESTERDAY.. This as Mozambican authorities and their South African counterparts continue the search for a South African politician whose vehicle is believed to have been swept away by floods in the neighbouring country. Minister Hlabisa spoke to Bongiwe Zwane
ActionSA ready to fight as Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Xolani Khumalo faces arrest
ActionSA's Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Councilor Xolani Khumalo, will TOMMOROW morning voluntarily hand himself over to the police following allegations of his involvement in an assault case. The party says the incident stems from information leaked from within the SA Police Service indicating an intention to arrest Khumalo in connection with a case involving an alleged drug dealer. ActionSA claims that the same suspect laid a false charge of assault against Khumalo, a charge the party says police are now acting upon. For more on this, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to ActionSA's National chairperson, Michael Beaumont
DA infighting and squabbling raises public interest in upcoming elective conference
The Democratic Alliance is grappling with fighting between senior national leaders, months before its elective congress. This as former Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Dion George THIS WEEK resigned from the DA and Parliament, following a bitter public fallout with party leader John Steenhuisen. His resignation was preceded by his removal as minister in November at the DA's request and replaced by party spokesperson, Willie Aucamp. George claims he was removed due to his hardline stance against the wildlife-breeding and the hunting industry, while Steenhuisen maintains that George was removed for poor performance in his portfolio. Following this, George, who was also the DA's federal finance chair, publicly revealed Steenhuisen's money issues and also accused the party leader of being captured by the ANC and beholden to the GNU. The DA is not taking interviews about the spat but some analysts believe the saga has already damaged the party. For a look at the state of the DA and what this means, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast, Director for the Centre for Security, Peace, and Conflict Resolution at Nelson Mandela University.
Battle of the Lions: Morocco vs Senegal in AFCON final. Who will roar the loudest?
Africa's biggest football night has arrived. Hosts Morocco will TODAY meet Senegal in the final of the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Morocco, also called the Atlas Lions, won their sole AFCON title in 1976, while Senegal, the Teranga Lions, claimed one title in 2021. With a packed stadium, a host nation dreaming of history and a powerhouse seeking affirmation, the stage is set for a final that promises to cap a compelling Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The closing ceremony and the final match will be broadcast live on SABC 2 starting from 7pm. Meanwhile, Nigeria grabbed bronze in YESTERDAY's AFCON third-place playoff match as the Super Eagles triumphed 4-2 on penalties to defeat Egypt after a goalless draw in regulation time at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca. For more on tonight's final, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Mthokozisi Dube, Editor of soccer publication, FAR Post
Mpumalanga floods leave 20 dead, devastation in their wake
Mpumalanga MEC for Human Settlements, Speedy Mashilo, says electricity supply and water provision have been cut off in some of the communities affected by the floods. He says a state of disaster could soon be declared following the destruction caused by the persistent rain in the province. Mashilo visited some of the affected villages in the Nkomazi area yesterday . For more on this, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Spokesperson for the Mpumalanga Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs, Freddy Ngobe
Calls for resistance in Uganda as President Museveni takes election lead
There are reports emerging of violent clashes between police and opposition supporters in Uganda following presidential elections yesterday. Local media say several people have been killed. There has been tension as the party of the presidential candidate Bobi Wine says the security forces have surrounded his house as votes are counted. This comes as Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has taken a commanding lead in Thursday's presidential election - well ahead of his main challenger Bobi Wine, whose party has already questioned the credibility of the results. Figures so far give Museveni 75% of the vote, with Wine on 21%, based on returns from 70% of polling stations. The elections were held amid a countrywide internet shutdown imposed earlier in the week. To get a sense of the situation in the country, Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Juliet Nankufa, a Digital Rights Researcher
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