Point of View with Phemelo Motene
Point of View with Phemelo Motene, delves into the day’s current affairs, touching on real issues and sharing expert advice on the audience questions between 8pm to 10pm Mondays to Thursdays.
Illegal RDP occupants face eviction as Gauteng steps up housing recovery drive
The Gauteng government is moving ahead with plans to evict illegal occupants from state-funded housing as it seeks to return RDP homes to qualifying beneficiaries. The province says the affected houses were unlawfully occupied despite being allocated to people on the official housing waiting list. Authorities insist the evictions will…
Internationals: US Independence Day and tensions in Iran
From celebrations marking US Independence Day to the latest developments involving Iran, major international events continue to shape the global agenda. Phemelo speaks to global affairs specialist and Senior Fellow at the Montreal Institute of Global Security, Dr Terence McNamee, for analysis of the key stories and what they could…
ConCourt ruling marks major win for affordable housing in Cape Town
A landmark Constitutional Court judgment has ordered the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape government to prioritise affordable housing in well-located inner-city areas, calling it a constitutional duty to reverse apartheid-era spatial inequality. The ruling ends a nearly decade-long legal battle over the Tafelberg School site and could…
Joburg refuse backlog grows as Pikitup faces debt and labour woes
Overflowing bins and missed collections are frustrating Johannesburg residents as Pikitup grapples with mounting debt and labour unrest. The entity has confirmed it owes contractors and suppliers more than R1.3 billion, with over 70 businesses still awaiting payment. So, what's causing the delays, and when can residents expect refuse collection…
SANEF clears Sefara, but he will not return as chair
The South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) has cleared former chairperson Makhudu Sefara of wrongdoing following an independent inquiry into his links to a National Lotteries Commission grant. Despite the outcome, SANEF says Sefara will not return to the organisation's top leadership position. The inquiry followed his decision to step…
State of SITA report exposes governance failures and irregular spending
A new investigation into the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) has uncovered serious governance failures, weak financial controls and more than R2 billion in irregular expenditure over four audited years. Speaking in Pretoria, Solly Malatsi said the failures have delayed critical ICT projects, forcing departments such as Home Affairs, Police…
Music Feature :The Power of Music
This week, Dr Sheldon Rocha Leal explores the extraordinary power of music and the role it has played in shaping social and political movements across the globe. From songs of protest and resistance to anthems of hope and identity, he unpacks how artists have used their music to challenge injustice,…
What to Watch: The Four of Us on e.tv
Looking for your next binge or a movie worth seeing? Leroy Marc is back with this week's top entertainment picks, reviewing the new e.tv telenovela The Four of Us, the big-screen releases Supergirl and A Crime, plus plenty of other must-watch recommendations.
Gauteng's Social Development budget?
Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, joined Phemelo to unpack the department's 2026/27 Budget Vote tabled before the Gauteng Legislature. The conversation explored the province's plans to strengthen social protection, tackle poverty, support vulnerable communities, invest in youth development, fight substance abuse, empower people living with disabilities and build…
Government's late payments continue to hurt small businesses
The Public Service Commission says government's failure to pay suppliers within 30 days remains a major concern, leaving many small businesses struggling to survive. National Treasury's latest figures show unpaid invoices worth R15.5 billion, with provincial departments responsible for nearly all of the backlog. Phemelo speaks to Public Service Commission…
Joburg residents face higher electricity bills
Johannesburg households are paying more for electricity after City Power's new tariffs came into effect this week. The utility says the 8.63% increase will help fund infrastructure upgrades and improve service reliability, while protecting vulnerable households through its Free Basic Electricity Programme. But the hike comes as City Power continues…
Legal Matters: Hopeless cases and personal cost orders
On this week's Legal Matters, Nthabiseng Dubazana unpacked the legal concept of a "hopeless case" and costs de bonis propriis through a labour dispute involving employees who sought an urgent court interdict to stop their employer from hiring replacement staff while an unfair dismissal case was still pending before the…
Court rejected Matlala's plea deal, proposed 12-year prison sentence
Alleged organised crime figure Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala's bid to secure an eight-year prison sentence hit a major setback after the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court rejected his plea agreement as unjust. The court instead proposed a 12-year sentence, saying the offences were driven by greed and finding no convincing evidence…
Johannesburg residents faced higher tariffs as new municipal increases took effect
Johannesburg residents began paying more for basic services after the City's above-inflation tariff increases came into effect on 1 July. Water, sanitation, refuse removal and property rates all increased, while prepaid electricity users were also hit with a higher fixed monthly charge. ActionSA criticised the hikes, arguing they placed even…
SANDF deployed after tensions flare during Joburg anti-illegal immigration protest
The South African National Defence Force has been deployed to Johannesburg's CBD after tensions escalated during Tuesday's anti-illegal immigration protest. While the main march concluded peacefully, a splinter group of more than a thousand protesters remained in the city centre, prompting a major security response. Police and soldiers are patrolling…
BMA ramps up border operations as migrant buses head to Beitbridge
The Border Management Authority has deployed additional immigration officials and border guards to Beitbridge as more than 150 buses carrying Malawian, Zimbabwean and Zambian migrants make their way to the border. While authorities say they are fully prepared to process and deport those being repatriated, managing heavy truck traffic along…
KZN on alert as fears of overnight looting persist after anti-illegal immigration marches
Although Tuesday's anti-illegal immigration marches in KwaZulu-Natal ended without major incidents, authorities remain on high alert amid fears of further overnight looting. Thousands took part in demonstrations across the province, but isolated attacks on foreign-owned spaza shops were reported in Hammarsdale, Mariannridge and Clermont. Community leaders say looters struck in…
South Africa on edge as anti-migrant protests unfold
South Africa remains on high alert as anti-migrant protests continue across parts of the country. While the Ministry of Police says most demonstrations have remained peaceful, arrests have been made following incidents of looting and attempted looting. The protests come after weeks of rising tensions and violence targeting African migrants,…
Zuma, Mbeki challenge Judge Khampepe's TRC inquiry role
The Constitutional Court is hearing a high-profile bid by former presidents Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki to remove Judge Sisi Khampepe from chairing the TRC cases inquiry over allegations of bias. Phemelo unpacked the legal arguments and what's at stake with legal expert Bophelo Seleke.
US funding cuts leave transgender healthcare in crisis
Deep cuts to US-funded HIV programmes are leaving many transgender South Africans struggling to access life-saving healthcare, including hormone treatment and HIV prevention services. Phemelo spoke to health and science journalist who writes for Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism's Ida Jooste about the growing impact of the funding crisis and…