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Lotus FM News Break
Chatsworth house fire claims one life, injures two others
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - One person has died and two others injured in a house fire during the early hours of this morning at Chatsworth south of Durban. Emergency services were met with a fully developed fire, with both the ground and first floors of the double-storey residence engulfed in flames. Owner of private ambulance, Amawele Emergency Services, Aaliyah Subramodey explains....
#PODCAST ACFE report reveals South Africa recorded highest number of occupational fraud cases in Sub-Saharan Africa #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - A report by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) has found that South Africa recorded the highest number of occupational fraud cases in Sub-Saharan Africa. South Africa recorded 123 of 397 cases, with Nigeria recording 64 and Kenya with 33. The report investigated 2,402 real cases of occupational fraud globally between January 2024 and September 2025. The report warns that organisations globally lose an estimated five percent of their annual revenue to fraud, with nearly half of firms in Sub-Saharan Africa recovering none of their losses. Director of RiXForensica Riaan van Jaarsveld explains...
#PODCAST Diabetes becomes South Africa's leading cause of death as health experts warn of growing crisis #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Diabetes has emerged as South Africa's leading cause of death, with new mortality data highlighting the growing impact of non-communicable diseases. Stats SA recorded more than 27,000 deaths in 2023 where diabetes mellitus was the underlying cause, making it the country's biggest recorded killer that year. The crisis is being linked to rising metabolic conditions, unhealthy diets and other lifestyle and socioeconomic factors, while experts warn that many cases remain undiagnosed. The latest figures raise urgent questions about how South Africa is preventing and managing a disease that can cause serious complications long before diagnosis. But how did diabetes become such a major killer, and what can be done to reverse the trend? Durban based GP Dr Preeti Ramlachan spoke to Newsbreak, explaining what you need to do to protect yourself from Diabetes...
#PODCAST Forensic pathologist Prof. Ryan Blumenthal calls for a more modernised system to handle unnatural deaths #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Senior forensic pathologist Professor Ryan Blumenthal has highlighted how post-mortem investigations extend beyond courtrooms to play a vital role in public health, crime prevention and saving lives. Delivering his inaugural professorial address, Blumenthal demonstrated how autopsy data can expose societal trends - ranging from shifting post-pandemic suicide patterns to environmental risks like lightning strikes - to help inform national health policies. With South Africa currently relying on fewer than 90 specialist forensic pathologists to handle over 70,000 unnatural deaths each year, he is advocating for the urgent adoption of modernized, streamlined practices and technology to keep the nation's forensic system sustainable...
#PODCAST Newsbreak Fishing Report - 14 August 2026 #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Cast away with this week's Newsbreak Fishing Report, brought to you by KZN angler Sanjay Ramsarup...
#PODCAST DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis defends ward councillors' service delivery record in Phoenix #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - DA Leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has refuted claims that the parties ward councillors are not-effective at guaranteeing local service delivery. Hill-Lewis was in Phoenix, north of Durban yesterday- where he undertook various community engagements in the build-up to the Local Government Elections. His visit comes at a time when several community members lamented to Newsbreak that they battle to procure services from their councillors. Hill-Lewis says that in order for ward councillors to be effective at their jobs- all spheres of municipal government need to be aligned...
#PODCAST Suspected kingpin arrested in Jacobs over multi-million-rand KZN road guardrail theft syndicate #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - KwaZulu-Natal authorities say a suspected kingpin linked to the theft of road guardrails worth millions of rands have been arrested in Jacobs, south of Durban. The arrest followed an intelligence-driven operation targeting a criminal syndicate allegedly responsible for stealing guardrails across the province's road network. Spokesperson of the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Ndabezinhle Sibiya has the details...
Experts say alternatives needed in the macro economic framework to tackle youth unemployment
By Newsbreak Senior Producer, Taresh Harreeparshad - There has been a great deal of criticism of the latest unemployment statistics: unemployment has grown by 114 000 over the past year, with job losses centered around manufacturing and social and community services. The official number stands at 33.6%. Now the The Alternative Information and Development Centre (AIDC) has criticised the long-term decline of South Africa's manufacturing sector as a key driver of mass unemployment. Senior programme officer Jaco Oelofsen explains some of the macro-economic reforms that could steady the situation...
LGE2026: Giving a voice to youth shaping democracy in the digital age
By Newsbreak Senior Producer, Taresh Harreeparshad - The National Influencer Code Summit is taking place in Pretoria- where young people, social media influencers and political voices have converged to discuss local government elections- in the digital space. The Summit will explore how digital reach can be translated into meaningful democratic participation, while addressing the challenges that accompany the growing influence of digital platforms. Former Deputy President of South Africa Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, will deliver the keynote address. Our reporter Luyanda Danca brings us the latest...
Madlanga Commission: Analyst not surprised by allegations of collusion and hits involving SAPS
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has heard more allegations that a KwaZulu-Natal police task team carried out a hit related to the tow truck industry. Bevan Loftus' father has told the Commission that he believes his son was killed in cold blood. Gregory Loftus is testifying about the death of his son, Bevan, who was killed on the 1st of April 2023. Evidence presented before the Commission yesterday alleged that a hit worth R2.5 million was taken out on Bevan's life by his rival, Clive Naicker, and allegedly carried out by the Cash in Transit Task Team, led by the Hawks' Deena Govender. IRS Forensic Investigations CEO and crime analyst, Chad Thomas elaborates...
#PODCAST Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust funds driver's licenses to boost youth employability #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - Nearly half of economically active young people in the country are unemployed. This is according to Stats Quarterly Labour Force Survey. It showed that the youth unemployment rate shot up by 1.5 percentage points to 47.4% in the second quarter. In a bid to make young people more employable the Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust has been driving home a valuable point: young people could be more employable, if they had a valid driver's license. As part of their education support bursaries- about a hundred young people have been assisted with getting their driver's license. Trust executive director Chantelle Oosthuizen says that addressing youth unemployment needs practical solutions...
#PODCAST Greenscene | KZN sugarcane farmers welcome recent rains following lengthy dry spell #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Sugarcane farmers in KwaZulu-Natal have welcomed the recent rains and wet weather conditions, saying the much-needed moisture is providing relief after challenging dry conditions. This comes as parts of the country experience inclement weather, including heavy rains, snowfall and plummeting temperatures. Executive Chairman of the South African Farmers Development Association (SAFDA), Dr Siyabonga Madlala says while the wet weather brings much-needed water for crops, they remain mindful of the impact that extreme conditions could have on other agricultural and livestock operations...
#PODCAST National Financial Ombud warns consumers over cell phone insurance fine print #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Cellphone insurance may seem straightforward, but the fine print could determine whether a claim is paid or rejected. The National Financial Ombud Scheme South Africa (NFO) is warning consumers about common problems involving stolen, lost and damaged devices. Complaints include phones being used with the wrong SIM card, devices not being updated on policies, and theft from unattended vehicles. So, what happens if your phone is stolen and the SIM card does not match your policy? We posed this question to the NFO's Hannes Bester...
#PODCAST DA's Geordin Hill-Lewis frames KZN local elections as key battle with MK Party #sabcnews
DA leader - Geordin Hill-Lewis - says the local government elections in KwaZulu-Natal in November are a contest mainly between his party and the MK Party. The DA is aiming to be part of a governing coalition in the eThekwini Metro this time around, after the ANC managed to retain control in 2021 with the help of smaller parties. On the campaign trail in the uMngeni Municipality at Howick, Hill-Lewis has told residents this municipality's about-turn from a failing local government, is a shining example of what the DA can do in the rest of the country. Dries Liebenberg reports...
#PODCAST PROTEC STEM launches second Science Centre of Excellence in KwaMashu #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - PROTEC STEM has officially launched its second Science Centre of Excellence at the INK Learning Centre in KwaMashu, north of Durban - marking the centrepiece of its National Science Month celebrations. The revitalisation was driven by principal partner SLG, which outfitted the facility with modern laboratory equipment, scientific apparatus and specialised chemicals. This restored facility will provide learners and educators across Inanda, Ntuzuma, and KwaMashu with practical, hands-on STEM education to help prepare them for future technical careers. Lucas Ntuli, PROTEC Regional Manager for KZN explains...
Alleged rape case involving church leader postponed
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - The case against a church elder from Dobsonville, Soweto for the alleged rape of a twelve year old girl has been postponed to the 20th of August for transfer to the Johannesburg High Court. Tshepo Ntsimane appeared briefly at the Roodepoort Magistrates Court this morning. He was arrested in April this year, after a video of the incident circulated on social media. SABC reporter, Luyanda Danca was at court and brings us an update....
KZN remains on high alert- as the weather threatens to turn
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Disaster management teams in KwaZulu-Natal remain on high alert amid inclement weather conditions across the province. This after heavy snowfall blanketed areas including among others, Impendle and the Midlands, resulting in the closure of schools, loss of connectivity and the temporary closure of certain roadways. The SA Weather Service (SAWS) says conditions are expected to ease from tomorrow. KZN Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs spokesperson, Siboniso Mngadi is calling on those who use paraffin and open fires to keep warm to exercise great caution when doing so....
#PODCAST Techno Touch | Global tech watchdogs sound alarm as advanced AI breaches containment lab guardrails #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - In a Newsbreak follow up... Global tech watchdogs and top developers are sounding the alarm following the wave of security breaches where frontier AI systems broke through safety guardrails in controlled testing labs. From launching autonomous cyber-attacks to creating fake human personas to trick developers, these rogue incidents are now signaling a shift in the real-world dangers posed by advanced tech. In this week's Techno Touch, I investigate why the very containment labs designed to secure AI are now becoming ground zero for cyber security risks...
#PODCAST RTIA evaluates compliance and enforcement as AARTO Phase 2 rollout expands nationwide #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Almost two weeks into the second phase of the AARTO rollout, questions are being raised about how effective the new traffic laws are being implemented across the country. The laws came into effect on the 1st of July in 60 municipalities, expanding the system beyond Johannesburg and Tshwane. While the demerit point system is only expected to be introduced in 2027, authorities are already assessing the impact of the latest phase. With the remaining 151 municipalities expected to join in a few months, attention is now turning to compliance, enforcement and whether motorists understand the new rules. Road Traffic Infringement Agency spokesperson Monde Mkalipi discusses the rollout and whether it is achieving its intended objectives...
#PODCAST Durban prepares to host 46th SADC Summit as President Cyril Ramaphosa assumes chairship #sabcnews
INTRO: SADC leaders are expected to gather in Durban for the 46th SADC Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government on the 17th of August. The meeting comes at a time when the world is grappling with a number of challenges due to conflicts, geopolitical tensions, climate change and other concerns. It will be convened under the theme, resilient, sustainable and inclusive industrialization through infrastructure development, agricultural and critical minerals transformation in pursuit of a just world. President Cyril Ramaphosa, who was elected interim Chair of SADC in November 2025, is set to officially take over as chairperson of the bloc. Bonolo Maribe reports...
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