First Take SA

Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee investigating serious allegations made by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi met last night to consider its draft preliminary report, along with submissions made by various political parties. This process forms part of Parliament's effort to interrogate allegations that have raised important questions about governance, accountability, and the integrity of policing structures in South Africa. To help us understand what unfolded behind the scenes, we spoke to member of the Ad Hoc Committee, David Mandla Skosana.

Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke says municipalities have made limited progress in improving audit outcomes over the past four years. Speaking in Parliament, Maluleke revealed that only 39 municipalities achieved clean audits, while audit outcomes in metros continue to decline. However, she highlighted improvements in financial reporting, with 61% of municipalities receiving unqualified audit opinions and a record 98% submitting financial statements on time. We spoke to Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in Parliament Dr Zweli Mkhize  and Director of the School of Public Leadership at Stellenbosch University, Professor Zwelinzima Ndevu.

The Democratic Alliance has taken the matter of the Public Investment Corporation to the Information Regulator, accusing the PIC of unlawfully withholding key public documents, including the Mokgoro Advisory Panel report and the PIC's final implementation report on the Mpati Commission's recommendations. These reports relate to serious allegations that emerged from the Mpati Commission of Inquiry, which exposed governance failures, conflicts of interest, weak oversight, and alleged misconduct in one of the country's most powerful financial institutions, managing approximately 3-trillion rand in public pension funds. We spoke to Democratic Alliance's Deputy Spokesperson on Appropriations, Andrew Bateman.

Johannesburg MMC for Transport, Kenny Kunene, has raised concern over what he calls an escalating financial crisis in the City of Johannesburg, warning that service delivery is under severe strain due to systemic liquidity challenges. Kunene says the crisis has forced the suspension of fuel supplies for the Johannesburg Roads Agency fleet. As a result, field teams have been grounded, halting pothole repairs, traffic signal maintenance, and bridge and infrastructure inspections, which have been deferred until fleet mobility is restored. He warns that this poses serious risks to commuter safety. The city has also seen illegal excavation under the M2 bridge. We spoke toStellenbosch University Structural and Civil engineering Prof. Richard Walls 

The Activists and a citizen's forum have called on the Minister of Justice, Mmamoloko Kubayi, to immediately disband the Independent Directorate Against Corruption, alleging it is operating as a destabilising and politically biased unit. They claim it is targeting senior police officials and warn of growing tensions between law enforcement structures. We spoke to the spokesperson of The Activists and Citizen's Forum, Dennis Bloem.

Acting Minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia will today meet with SAPS Nyanga Police Station management and Community Policing Forum representatives as part of stakeholder engagement. He will also visit the SAPS Provincial Operational Coordination Centre in Cape Town ahead of planned demonstrations on 30 June. The Acting Minister yesterday urged public compliance with the law, warning against incitement to violence as the deadline approaches saying authorities will enforce regulations strictly nationwide during the period concerned. We spoke to  Kamogelo Mogotsi, Spokesperson for the Minister of Police

A look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoeswana

British politics entered a period of rapid transition following the resignation of Keir Starmer as Labour Party leader. Andy Burnham has now been sworn in as the Member of Parliament for Makerfield and is expected to mount a leadership bid, reportedly with support from senior Labour figures including former Health Secretary Wes Streeting. Starmer, in an emotional statement outside Downing Street, confirmed he will remain as Prime Minister until a successor is chosen, citing a desire to focus more on family life after stepping down from party leadership. We spoke to Former Diplomat and Public Relation Executive, Dr. Kingsley Makhubela.

Four political party members have been killed in separate incidents during this weekend's IEC voter registration. In Bekkersdal, Randfontein, MK Party members Mozwakhile Zungu and Siyabonga Mabaso were shot while walking home after working at a voting station. The MK Party says it will not speculate on motive. In Cape Town, DA by-election candidate Sinovuyo Dyokwe was gunned down in Du Noon soon after registration ended on Saturday. The DA has offered a R50,000 reward and says she was previously targeted in a February extortion case. In Nelson Mandela Bay, ANC councillor and Mayoral Committee Member for Budget and Treasury, Sicelo Mleve, was murdered over the weekend too. For analysis on political killings ahead of the November municipal elections. We spoke to  Political analyst, Dr. Piet Croucamp.

Rea Vaya bus drivers say their salary and job security have been severely impacted since the bus operator went into business rescue in December 2023. Business rescue practitioner Mahier Tayob now runs the company after creditors threatened to seize buses over mounting debts. Drivers blame years of maladministration for ongoing salary delays, while the City of Johannesburg is still said to owe the operator around R30 million for services rendered. For more on the situation on the ground, we're joined by a Rea Vaya bus driver Tshepo Moabi not his real name. For his protection, we are using a pseudonym to safeguard his identity. 

A Seat at the Table is hosting the Connect Youth in Dialogue Summit 2026 with a key focus on how do we move from conversations about change to real, measurable action. Young leaders, policymakers, business leaders and development partners will converge under the theme From Resolutions to Reality: Youth Implementing Action for Impact. This year's summit will reflect on commitments made in 2025, assess progress so far, and explore practical solutions to expand opportunities for young people in South Africa. We spoke to Mothathe Sewelo Deputy Chair at A Seat at the Table to unpack what this year's summit hopes to achieve.

COSATU will stage demonstrations in all provinces today over rising living costs. The federation says food, electricity, water and transport have become unaffordable while wages fall behind inflation. COSATU argues workers now earn less in real terms than a decade ago, forcing many into debt to cover basics. We spoke to COSATU's National Spokesperson, Zanele Sabela.  

SANParks has extended condolences to the family of a 69-year-old Canadian tourist who was fatally wounded at a concession braai at the Kruger National Park. The Park says a private guide allegedly accidentally discharged a firearm during the incident near Phabeni Gate on Wednesday. The guest was part of a group booked outside the park for a bush braai at a permitted concession facility. We spoke to SANParks Head of Communications and Spokesperson, JP Louw.