listen to Lotus FM News Break
Lotus FM News Break
Shadrack Sibiya's bail judgement expected next week
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - The Randburg Magistrate's Court, north of Johannesburg has postponed former Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya's matter to next week Tuesday for bail judgment. Sibiya, who has applied for bail, faces multiple charges, including human trafficking, the alleged sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl and the rape of a 18-year-old woman. The state has told the court that it would be an injustice to grant former Sibiya bail, considering the charges he faces. Lets get more details from our SABC reporter, Refilwe Mekoa...
ConCourt rules in favour of the ANC to include 181 candidates on the LGE ballot
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - The Constitutional Court has ruled in favour of the ANC in the case against the Electoral Commission. The party had challenged an Electoral Court ruling in favour of the IEC, which excluded its 181 candidates from contesting elections in six municipalities. The dispute stems from the ANC's failure to click the "Submit as Final" button on the IEC's candidate nomination system before the 28 August deadline. The affected candidates will now have to be included on the ballot papers for the November 4th elections. SABC reporter, Sibahle Mothoa has the details....
[LISTEN] Kerala Ayurvedic Centre showcases ancient Indian holistic healing at Durban symposium #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Executive Producer Salma Patel - Ayurveda has become a popular medical alternative to treat ailments such as migraines, stress, insomnia and lifestyle diseases. Ayurveda is an ancient holistic healing and alternative medicine system originating in India more than 5,000 years ago. In Sanskrit, ayur means "life" and veda means "science" or "knowledge," translating to the "Science of Life". At the recent India-South Africa Traditional Medicine Symposium and Exhibition, the Durban-based Kerala Ayurvedic Centre showcased some of the alternative treatments on offer. Founder Dr. Bhindu Pillay says the centre has run for 19 years now...
[LISTEN] AKA murder trial | Court hears emotional testimony on final moments of Forbes and Motsoane #sabcnews
The trial of slain rapper Kiernan "AKA" Forbes and his friend businessman, Tebello "Tibz" Motsoane, saw the Durban High Court hearing an emotional testimony about the final moments of the pair. The court's eleventh witness, photographer and camera operator Thotloesto Kutlwano Mogotsi, who was part of the crew that came with AKA to Durban, described the panic and distress following the shooting. Celumusa Zulu reports...
[LISTEN] COP17 | Environmental activists urge government to include indigenous voices in climate policies #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Environmental activists are hopeful that Government will honour their climate commitments heading into the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties or COP17. The conference, under the theme "Taking Action for Nature" will take place in Armenia, West Asia next week. The South African delegation will be led by the Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Narend Singh. Community Ambassador at the Green Connection, Neville van Rooy says Government has for the longest time neglected to include indigenous people in policies making decisions- much to the detriment of already vulnerable communities...
[LISTEN] Navi Pillay's Nobel Peace Prize win continues to draw criticism from Donald Trump amid international praise #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Following last week's announcement that renowned South African jurist and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Judge Navanethem "Navi" Pillay, has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, intense international reactions continue to unfold. While supporters celebrate her lifelong commitment to global justice and human rights, the decision has also sparked sharp friction, drawing direct criticism from US President Donald Trump and renewed geopolitical tensions surrounding multilateral legal bodies. Legal practitioner Saber Ahmed Jazbhay joined us this morning to discuss these global developments and the ongoing debate over international legal institutions...
Nobel Laureate Judge Navi Pillay misses a spicy Durban curry #sabcnews
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Judge Navanethem "Navi" Pillay continues to be humbled by all the love and praise she has been receiving. She believes this award must serve as a powerful message to young South African's, that change is possible. But while promoting human rights and fighting injustice, Judge Pillay just misses a spicy Durban curry. In this Exclusive interview with Newsbreak's Tashlan Naidoo , we promise her a special curry when she next visits the SABC News studio...
Newsbreak Lotus FM Exclusive: Nobel Laureate Navi Pillay on what the Peace Prize means for global human rights
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - Nobel Peace Prize laureate Justice Navanethem "Navi" Pillay has urged the United States to return to being a defender of human rights and liberator for the rest of the world amid a US campaign to undermine the International Criminal Court. The South African-born jurist has spent decades challenging impunity and advocating for victims of human rights abuse. Her recognition comes at a time when international law faces growing scrutiny over its ability to hold powerful nations accountable. Joining us on the line from the Hague in the Netherlands is Justice Pillay....
[LISTEN] IEC in KZN receives record number of special vote applications ahead of LGE
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - With just 21 days before the 2026 Local Government Elections on the 4th of November, the IEC in KwaZulu-Natal has received a record number of special vote applications. With over 300-thousand applications in the province, the IEC says its all hands on deck to ensure the process runs smoothly on the 2nd and 3rd of November. In our Election Wednesday focus, we spoke to Provincial Electoral Officer in KZN, Ntombifuthi Masinga...
[LISTEN] Plans underway to build South Africa's first traditional medical hospital on the KZN South Coast #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Executive Producer Salma Patel - Plans are afoot to build the country's first-ever traditional medical hospital on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast. The Kuthalile Traditional Health Hospital will focus on traditional medical remedies offering patients an alternative to mainstream or conventional treatments called allopathic medicine. The founders of the hospital showcased their plans at the India-South Africa Traditional Medicine Symposium and Exhibition at the weekend. Co-founder and practitioner, Sanelisiwe Phungula, says the traditional hospital will provide a range of treatments incorporating African Traditional and even Ayurvedic therapy while delivering patient dignity...
[LISTEN] Techno Touch | UK Minister warns autonomous Artificial Intelligence breach of cyber defenses is "inevitable" #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - The United Kingdom's Artificial Intelligence Minister Kanishka Narayan has warned that an autonomous AI breach of the nation's critical cyber defenses is likely, if not inevitable. Addressing tech leaders and policymakers, Narayan urged developers to halt the public release of AI models whose safety guardrails cannot be guaranteed. To counter these emergent threats, the UK government plans to deploy advanced machine intelligence models to actively scan national networks and patch infrastructure vulnerabilities. Matthew looked into it more for today's Techno Touch...
[LISTEN] UNDP report highlights rising multidimensional poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - More than 600-million people in Sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing multidimensional poverty, as the number of people living in acute poverty worldwide rises to 1.2 billion for the first time since 2010. This is according to the latest Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the University of Oxford, which found that 51.5 million more people are now living in poverty. Multidimensional poverty goes beyond income, measuring overlapping deprivations in basic needs such as healthcare, education, clean water, electricity and adequate living conditions. Senior Researcher at the Institute for Economic Justice, Dr Mzwanele Ntshwanti, says the findings are stark and point to a regression in governments' efforts to provide social protection and employment for their citizens...
[LISTEN] AKA murder trial | Accused Mziwethemba Gwabeni admits owning BMW used to track Forbes #sabcnews
Mziwethemba Gwabeni, who is one of the seven accused in the murder trial of rapper Kiernan "AKA" Forbes and businessman Tebello "Tibz" Motsoane, has admitted owning a grey BMW allegedly used to track Forbes and his crew before his murder in Durban in February 2023. The state alleges the vehicle followed Forbes and his entourage from King Shaka International Airport to Florida Road, where the two men were killed. A mechanic who testified in court says Gwabeni later asked him to sell the car because repairs had become too expensive. He told the court that the vehicle's new owner was subsequently stopped by police, who allegedly said it had been stolen. The mechanic says he was later summoned to Isipingo police station to explain how he had obtained the vehicle. Gwabeni, through his lawyer, told the court that the vehicle was one of several vehicles he owned. Celumusa Zulu reports...
[LISTEN] KZN Parents Association calls for protection of matric exams amid potential election disruptions #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - With the 2026 matric examinations underway, concerns are mounting over possible disruptions caused by protests, political instability and the upcoming local government elections. Some schools will also be used as voting stations, raising questions about how teaching and examinations will be protected during this critical period. Chairperson of the KZN Parents Association, Vee Gani explains the need for government to prioritise learners, ensuring they are not caught in the middle of any disruptions...
[LISTEN] Case against couple accused of killing their four year old daughter, postponed
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - The case against the Eldorado Park couple accused of murdering their four- year-old daughter and assaulting their three-year-old son has been postponed yet again. The father faces several charges, including murder, rape and child abuse. While the mother is charged with failing to report sexual offence and abuse. SABC reporter, Lerato Makola reports...
[LISTEN] Shadrack Sibiya bail application postponed
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - The Randburg Magistrates Court has postponed the bail application of former Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya to tomorrow. Magistrate Hleziphi Mkhasibe has requested the investigating officer to provide statements from two witnesses, the 18-and-16-year-old girls, before making a determination on the bail application. Sibiya faces multiple charges, including the alleged sexual grooming of the 16 year-old girl, rape, human trafficking and the contravention of the firearms control act. SABC reporter, Refilwe Mekoa reports...
[LISTEN] One person killed in multi-vehicle crash on the M4 in Durban
By Newsbreak Producer, Tashlan Naidoo - One person has been killed and four others injured in a multi-vehicle crash on the M4 North bound near Waterkant Road in Durban North. Traffic in both directions has been severely affected. Garrith Jamieson, the Director of a local private Emergency Medical Service was one of the first responders....
[LISTEN] DUT water expert urges proactive action as El Niño threatens SA water security #sabcnews
By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - South Africa is being urged to strengthen its water security as El Niño conditions raise concerns about warmer temperatures and below-normal rainfall in the coming summer months. Durban University of Technology (DUT) water expert Professor Sheena Kumari Pillai has warned that households, businesses and government cannot afford to wait until water shortages become a crisis. The South African Weather Service forecasts below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures across much of the country from October to December 2026. KwaZulu-Natal could also face increased pressure on dams, rivers and water supplies as temperatures rise and demand grows. Professor Kumari Pillai says urgent action, including fixing leaks, conserving water and investing in wastewater reuse, is needed to protect the country's limited water resources...
[LISTEN] ANC turns to ConCourt over candidate disqualifications ahead of the local government elections #sabcnews
The ANC turned to the Constitutional Court yesterday to challenge a decision by the Electoral Court to uphold the disqualification of its candidate lists in six municipalities ahead of the 4 November local government elections. The party argues that it complied with all statutory and regulatory requirements for candidate nominations before the IEC deadline. At the centre of the dispute is whether the Electoral Act or its regulations require political parties to click a "Submit as Final" button on the IEC's online nomination system. The IEC argues that the system repeatedly reminded users to complete this step before the deadline. Sibahle Motha reports...
[LISTEN] Gauteng Education Department ready as 2026 matric exams get underway #sabcnews
The Gauteng Education Department says it's ready for the 2026 National Senior Certificate examinations, which starts today and will run until the 26th of November. The announcement follows Sunday's national readiness briefing by Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube. More than 200-thousand candidates registered in Gauteng for the 2026 matric examinations, the highest number in the province's history. Musa Mhlongo reports…
Save video to ...
