Having lived in a developed settlement with access to water, toilets and electricity, residents of the Skiti, Katilumla, Vukani and Nkululekweni residential areas in Lusikisiki and Flagstaff respectively, under the Ngquza Hill Local Municipality, are now homeless. This comes after the municipality demolished their homes, citing efforts to clean up the town and, in some areas, to pave the way for development projects where an investor was expected to create employment opportunities. But since the demolish in Flagstaff in April last year, no sign of development. Only a school and a church spared the demolition. Some of the affected families particularly in Nkululekweni in Flagstaff and others in the Skit residential area, took out loans to build their homes. The court has since halted the demolitions, with a new date set for August 2026 to review the court order. Community leaders affected by the recent demolitions in Lusikisiki say they are in possession of a court order from their legal representatives instructing the municipality to stop the demolitions. However, they allege that the municipality continued with the process regardless, only stopping after the municipal legal unit allegedly issued a letter confirming the court order and directing that the demolitions be discontinued. As a result, some of the displaced residents are sleeping in old vehicles, while others have sought refuge with friends and family members. An elderly woman from Nkululekweni breaks down as she recalls losing the seven-bedroom house she built through years of savings and borrowed funds. She now shares a single rented room with her daughter and four grandchildren, as she cannot afford to rent additional accommodation. The affected residents of Ward 15 in Lusikisiki allege that the municipality's actions were motivated by their political affiliation. The communities recently joined the MK and EFF political parties, citing poor service delivery by the municipality for more than 30 years. Many residents have lived in the area since the 1980s. Some moved there after seeking better employment opportunities in the urban area, while others wanted to be closer to healthcare facilities. The Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements has confirmed that it received a request from Ngquza Hill Local Municipality for approximately 500 temporary housing units. The department says it is currently interrogating the request and assessing the appropriate intervention.

Fifty years after June 16, we remember those who died, those who were tortured, those who went into exile, and those who never made it home. Their generation fought for freedom. The question for ours is simple: Have we honoured that sacrifice, or have we forgotten what they fought for?

'Coming Soon' on SABC Plus-Exclusive News June 16: Soweto 1976: 50 Years Later. Watch Full Episode here https://sabc-plus.com/video/29910827/Youth-Month-Fireside-chat-I-June-16-From-Struggle-to-Hope Fireside chat I June 16-Youth Day with Sophie Mokoena

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In the wake of growing anti-foreigner protests and rising tensions in communities across South Africa, Cutting Edge examines the complex realities facing local communities in the face of rising inward immigration, informal trade, economic exclusion, and social cohesion within local communities. This episode investigates the underlying causes driving conflict and distrust between South African citizens and foreign nationals, including unemployment, alleged kidnappings and murder as a result of turf wars and increasing competition within the informal economy. Particular focus is placed on the prominence of foreign-owned spaza shops and the concerns raised by local business owners who feel economically marginalized. The programme picks up on the story of a businessman from Vosloorus who was recently rescued following allegations that his kidnapping was linked to tensions involving businesspeople of foreign origin. During the incident, foreign nationals operating businesses in the area were forced to shut down their shops amid fears of violence and retaliation. And accusations that they were involved. The episode also travels to Ratanda on Gauteng’s East Rand, where the majority of spaza shops are owned and operated by South Africans, although this offers a contrasting perspective on local economic participation and community dynamics it also lays bare the extent to which violence has taken a hold of the spaza shop competition between locals and foreigners. The episode culminates in a studio-based panel discussion aimed at fostering a balanced and constructive national conversation. The discussion is expected to include representatives from the Ethiopian community, members of March and March, as well as an independent analyst or human rights lawyer, bringing together diverse perspectives on one of South Africa’s most pressing and emotionally charged social issues.

In March 2026, a cultural ceremony held by the Igbo community in East London—culminating in the installation of an “Eze Ndigbo” (Igbo King)—ignited widespread controversy and public debate across South Africa. What some view as a celebration of cultural identity, others see as a provocative challenge to local authority, tradition, and social cohesion. Idabi la kuGompo uses this moment as a lens to explore deeper national tensions around migration, identity, and belonging. Through immersive, on-the-ground reporting, the documentary interrogates the fragile relationship between South Africans and Nigerian migrants, shaped by years of mistrust, stereotypes, and periodic violence. As part of its investigation, Cutting Edge examines persistent allegations linking some foreign nationals in East London to illicit drug networks. Through interviews with law enforcement, community members, and the accused, the film probes the evidence behind these claims—while questioning how such narratives are formed, amplified, and, at times, used to justify hostility toward entire communities. The documentary also examines the constitutional rights that protect cultural and associative freedoms for all who live in South Africa—while questioning where these rights intersect, or clash, with public perception and traditional governance systems. At the heart of the story lies a critical dilemma: can cultural expression take the form of leadership without being perceived as a threat? Balanced and investigative in tone, Idabi la ku Gompo goes beyond headlines to reveal a society grappling with who belongs, who leads, and how truth, perception, and power collide in a deeply divided landscape.

Cutting Edge exposes a shocking wave of attacks on Road Accident Fund beneficiaries in KwaNdebele. Kidnapped. Assaulted. Forced to surrender their payouts.

The story investigates inmates who are incarcerated in different prisons in KZN for wrongly identified or and ulterior motives . The Beauty Beyond the Orange Uniform Foundation has intervened to gather compelling evidence to prove their innocence. One of the convicts has already been vindicated.

Four years after the devastating KwaZulu-Natal floods, some families say they are still waiting for the homes they were promised, and are now living in dangerous conditions in the bush.

In South Africa, thousands of children face sexual abuse and teenage pregnancy each year, often at the hands of adults they trust. Yet, many cases go unreported, leaving victims without justice and communities grappling with silence, stigma, and fear. STOP RAPING investigates this hidden crisis, exposing the devastating human toll and systemic failures that allow abuse to continue. Central to the documentary is the case of a 12-year-old girl from Laudium, a quiet suburb in Pretoria, who became a victim of alleged statutory rape. Through her story, the film highlights the gaps in reporting, protection, and accountability, revealing the urgent need for societal and institutional change. The documentary also follows the experiences of a pregnant teenager and her mother, offering a deeply personal perspective on the emotional, social, and psychological challenges that come with teenage pregnancy. Their journey illustrates the pressures faced by young women and the critical role of family support in navigating these circumstances. To contextualize these personal stories, STOP RAPING features insights from leading experts and organizations working to protect children and prevent abuse. Interviews with representatives from the Teddy Bear Foundation, the Department of Health, and the Department of Basic Education provide authoritative perspectives on prevention strategies, the importance of sex education, and the mechanisms available to support victims and hold perpetrators accountable. Through these voices, the documentary explores the importance of peer-led education, community engagement, and open conversations about consent, contraception, and healthy relationships. It challenges societal norms, demands accountability, and calls on communities to break the silence around child sexual abuse and teenage pregnancy. STOP RAPING is both a stark exposé and a call to action—urging viewers to recognize the scale of the crisis, confront uncomfortable truths, and work toward a safer future for South Africa’s children. For more news, visit sabcnews.com and #SABCNews on all Social Media platforms.

It’s been five years since Dan Tloome was established as a government “mega housing project” designed for integrated living. But for the families relocated here from across Johannesburg, the promise of a better life remains unfulfilled. With no schools, No clinic, and no police station, Dan Tloome isn’t a community yet- it’s just a collection of houses in the middle of nowhere. For these residents’ integration feels more like isolation.

The storry looks into the dangers of taverns operating in school's proximity in some of the communities in the Eastern Cape- something that lures minors to allegedly abuse alcohol. The story emanates from a recent incident where minors were seen consuming alcohol infront of their parents. The question is, are authorities doing enough to curb the scourge of alcohol abuse?

A night out that turned deadly. A young life lost to the shadows of trust and manipulation. Cutting Edge uncovers the tragic story of Vuyelwa Kubheka, a teacher brutally killed after meeting a stranger at a Soweto pub. Her story exposes the dark reality of gender-based violence in SA.

Rebuilding After the Floods ,Mpumalanga & Limpopo In the wake of devastating floods in Mpumalanga and Limpopo, families who lost homes, belongings and livelihoods are trying to rebuild from the ground up, often with little more than donated food parcels and temporary shelter. This story follows flood-affected communities as they navigate damaged roads and bridges, unsafe water sources, and the slow process of restoring schools, clinics and basic services. At the centre are ordinary residents who say recovery is not just about fixing infrastructure but restoring dignity and stability, especially for children, the elderly and those living in rural villages cut off from help. As government and aid organisations roll out relief and repair plans, questions remain around how quickly assistance reaches the most vulnerable, what “rebuilding” really looks like months later, and whether these provinces are becoming more prepared for extreme weather events that keep returning For more news, visit sabcnews.com and #SABCNews on all Social Media platforms.

Baleni: Salt of the Earth follows the women of Baleni in Limpopo who have harvested salt by hand for generations. It looks at their traditional methods, the spiritual value of the land, and the challenges threatening the future of this sacred practice as support declines and younger people lose interest.

We spoke to the people who felt Thabo Bester’s power the most - inmates, wardens, and families. Their stories lay bare the violence, the silence, and the secrets they say Mangaung Prison tried to bury. This is the real cost of knowing Bester.