Update@Noon

The South African government has confirmed the safe arrival of the Flotilla activists in Jordan. DIRCO in a statement says Ambassador Tselane Mokuena welcomed the group on behalf of the Republic. Minister Ronald Lamola has expressed deep gratitude to all stakeholders who helped ensure their safety. The activists are expected to land at O.R. Tambo International Airport tomorrow morning. Government has dismissed false claims about funding their return, saying the trip is financed by families and solidarity groups, with DIRCO only facilitating diplomatically. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Sunny Morgan from the Global Sumud Flotilla-South Africa 

Parliament's ad hoc committee set up to investigate allegations around national security, adjourned earlier today for a short while to sort out issues raised around the statement of KwaZulu-Natal Police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Members of the committee took issue with the evidence leader, advocate Norman Arendse SC, calling Mkhwanazi's statement a supplementary statement to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, that was submitted to the committee. The committee was set up to investigate the wide-ranging claims of criminal infiltration, corruption, and political interference within the criminal justice system, made by Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.  Meanwhile, EFF leader Julius Malema, has raised firm objections to Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee proceeding without a formal statement from Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Malema called the move unconstitutional and fundamentally wrong. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to legal expert, Elton Hart, attorney at the University of Johannesburg ' Law Clinic 

 In a move to reshape South Africa's political landscape, three opposition parties have united under a new banner. Build One South Africa's Dr. Mmusi Maimane, Good Party leader Patricia de Lille, and Rise Mzansi's Songezo Zibi have officially launched a new political formation Unite For Change. The alliance aims to contest the 2026 local government elections, promising ethical leadership, economic recovery, and improved service delivery. Maimane is calling on South Africans to fund this new movement, urging citizens to embrace a culture of political party funding. De Lille says the new party fills a political void left by traditional parties that have drifted too far left or right. Unite For Change is positioning itself as a centrist alternative, inviting civic groups and individuals to join the mission to restore trust and accountability in governance. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Political Analyst, Professor Dirk Kotze

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa made his closing address at the party's special NEC meeting. The meeting was looking at key national issues of the economy, trade, and the party's processes towards local government elections next year.       

The survivors and families of victims of apartheid-era crimes together with the Foundation for Human Rights welcomed Friday's High Court ruling dismissing the Government's application to stay proceedings in the constitutional damages case. In January 2025, 25 families and survivors, together with the Foundation, launched a constitutional damages claim against President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Government for the political suppression of investigations and prosecutions of apartheid-era political crimes referred by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Foundation for Human Rights spokesperson, Sesethu Holomisa 

Minister of co-operative governance Velekosini Hlabisa has called on councillors of Ditsobotla Local Municipality to unite behind service delivery. Hlabisa is on a sight visit in the area where he will engage local residents and visit a number of infrastructure projects. The municipality was recently placed under control of the national government following years of mismanagement and political instability. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter  Tebogo Phakedi

The department of international relations and cooperation (Dirco) has sent a specialist team to Israel to negotiate release of six detained South African activists. According to DIRCO , the  team met with the South African delegation at the Negev Israeli Prison facility and has also confirmed that the detainees are in good health and in high spirits. Meanwhile, the family of the late South African Ambassador to France Nathi Mthethwa , hopes that his autopsy will be released soon so that the repatriation of the body can be finalized. For more Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson at Department of international relations and cooperation 

The Constitutional Court has ruled that both parents are entitled equal parental leave that they can share amongst themselves. Both parents, regardless of gender, race or circumstances, are now entitled to share four-months 10 days leave. ConCourt unanimously confirmed constitutional invalidity against sections which deal with maternity and paternity leave under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. The court found that the difference in the parental leave entitlement between birth mothers and fathers amounts to unfair and unconstitutional discrimination. For some clarity on this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to family law attorney at Theron Law Firm, Shandu Theron...

The United Nations has expressed hope that those people aboard the Gaza Sumud Flotilla vessels who have been detained by Israel would have their rights respected and not harmed. Reports suggest Israel has taken control over 41 vessels and detained over 400 activists, including many from South Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier called on Israel to release activists. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Ariel Seidman, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Israel 

The Local Government Indaba has focused on efforts to improve service delivery, accountability and transparency across all municipalities in the country. Over a thousand delegates convened at Gallagher  Estate in Midrand Johannesburg to try and tackle issues around local government. These include ailing infrastructure and rooting out corruption that hinders on services delivery.  One of the organisations at the gathering is the Public Affairs Research Institute which is represented by their Head of State Reform Programme, Dr. Sarah Meny-Gilbert.  Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dr. Sarah Meny-Gilbert 

The Office of the Tax Ombud yesterday published its Draft Report into alleged e-Filing Profile Hijacking for public comment. The aim  is to identify factors that make taxpayers vulnerable to e-Filing profile hijackings, to evaluate SARS's response mechanisms to taxpayers and suggest areas for improvement . According to the Ombud , most cases involve fraud below R10 000 but there are significant instances exceeding R100 000. For more we are now joined on the line by Tax Ombus, Ms Yanga Mputa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the Government of the State of Israel to release South Africans and other nationals abducted as part of Israeli authorities' interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson to the President

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the Government of the State of Israel to release South Africans and other nationals abducted as part of Israeli authorities' interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Global Sumud Flotilla SA spokesperson, Sunny Morgan

The Madlanga Commission adjourned after key witness Crime Intelligence Boss General Dumisani Khumalo, fell ill. General Khumalo, was meant to continue with his testimony today, regarding the WhatsApp text messages between alleged underworld cartel member and businessman, Vusimuzi Matlala and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's alleged associate, Brown Mogotsi. Jeremy Michaels, Madlanga commission spokesperson says a new date for the sitting will be announced during the course of the day. For analysis Bongiwe Zwane spoke to  Professor Kholofelo Rakubu, Security expert and Head of the Department of Law Safety, and Security Management at the Tshwane University of Technology.