Update@Noon

Argentina have named Lionel Messi in their squad for a friendly against Benin in October in a match which is set to be the forward's farewell to international football. Messi announced his retirement from Argentina duty in August in the wake of his country's defeat by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final and after saying he was considering his future in football following the death of his father, Jorge.SAfm sports anchor Jon Gericke has more

This Wednesday, SAfm anchor Sakina Kamwendo once again spoke to  ABSA's Investment Analyst Motheo Maphosa, for the latest market update.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says the recent discovery of eight bodies in separate incidents in Ekurhuleni is concerning and deeply disturbing. He says the developments highlight the devastating human cost of violence against women. Lesufi was briefing members of the media on progress made in implementing key Gauteng Provincial Government programmes and priorities, including service delivery.

Senior Financial Sector Specialist at the World Bank and a member of the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative team, Laura Pop, Testifying before the Madlanga commission says prosecutors who resign before the vetting process begins can leave with their full pension or other separation benefits. She says, however, that those seeking to re-enter the institutions would still have to undergo an extraordinary evaluation process. Pop says the vetting process also examines the sources of prosecutors' assets, including loans from family members or friends, to establish whether those loans could realistically have been afforded.

The United States has announced new visa restrictions targeting foreign nationals linked to certain South African laws and policies, a move expected to further strain relations between Washington and Pretoria. The US claim that government has failed to address the discrimination against Afrikaners and again alleged that there is a genocide in South Africa. Sherwin Bryce-Pease filed this report. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to International Relations Analyst Thembisa Fakude about the latest US visa restrictions on South African officials.

The ANC has vowed to appeal the Electoral Court's decision against the party. The matter was brought by the ANC against the Electoral Commission. The party had cited technical glitches on the IEC's system, for failing to submit its list of over 180 councillor candidates for the November polls. The ANC missed the commission's 28 August deadline to submit its candidates list citing technical glitches. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC News senior political reporter Ntebo Mokobo and Legal Director at The Institute of Election Management Services in Africa Nkululeko Tselane.

Police have offered a cash reward of 400-thousand rand for anyone who would come forward with information that could lead to arrests in the Ekurhuleni murder cases.  This reward offer was announced by police during a media briefing on measures to apprehend the perpetrators of the Ekurhuleni killings.  This comes after the bodies of eight women were found in the Ekurhuleni Municipal area in less than two months. Police say they do not want to treat the cases as linked incidents, until investigations prove otherwise, they need every help they can get. Horisani Sithole reports…..

Judgment in the defamation case between ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula and ANC NEC member, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has been reserved. Mbalula challenged Dlamini-Zuma's claims that he used money to secure his position during the 2022 ANC Elective Conference in the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg. Mbalula dismissed the allegations and requested Dlamini-Zuma to retract them. Ntlantla Kgatlhane reports.....

Day Two of the Congress of South African Trade Unions' (COSATU) 15th National Congress in Midrand has faced further disruptions. Top national office bearers were locked in a behind-closed-doors meeting to resolve a high-stakes leadership dispute that brought proceedings to a standstill. A legal opinion commissioned by COSATU has cleared First Deputy President Mike Shingange to stand for re-election, following contention over his recent suspension by his affiliate union, NEHAWU. However, tensions remain high. Several affiliated unions—including the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM)—are still withholding their delegate lists. They are demanding absolute clarity on the legal opinion and its validity if challenged in a court of law.

Judges of the Supreme Court of Appeals in Bloemfontein will hand down judgment in the ANC-IEC candidates submission battle later this morning. Judgment was reserved last night after two and half hours of legal wrangling which stems from the ANC's alleged failure to submit its councillor candidates for the November 4 local polls. The party cited a technical glitch on the IEC system which prevented it from submitting over 180 of candidates during the August 28 deadline. The IEC had since refuted the claim. Our Politics Report Ntebo Mokobo has more. 

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has condemned the fatal shooting of 19-year-old KwaNdengezi High School learner Sphephelo Ngubane. Ngubane was shot multiple times inside the school premises on Monday and died at the scene. Ntuli has directed law-enforcement agencies to urgently identify and arrest the perpetrator. He has also ordered strengthened school security measures and immediate psychological support for learners, educators and others affected by the tragedy. Lindelani Mbatha is KZN Premier’s Media Liaison Officer and Spokesperson

Police are investigating the discovery of a sixth woman's body in Kwa-Thema, Springs. This latest discovery brings to six the number of women's bodies found in Ekurhuleni in the last two months. Yesterday, a fifth woman's body was also discovered in Olifantsfontein, near Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni. Authorities say investigators have not yet established whether the six cases are linked, or whether police are dealing with one perpetrator, multiple perpetrators. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to  independent crime and policing expert Dr Mxolisi Mathebula

The COSATU congress is today expected to focus on the organisational and financial report and affiliates resolutions. The congress stalled yesterday, due to disputes over credentials. Several affiliates, including the National Union of Mineworkers, withheld credentials in protest over the suspension of First Deputy President Mike Shingange. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to  Economics Reporter, Katlego Legodi.....

The Madlanga Commission has heard testimony that Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) Internal Affairs identified a pattern of collusion between certain JMPD officers and criminal elements. Head of JMPD Internal Affairs, Superintendent Elmarie de Beer, testified that the units most frequently implicated include the Tactical Response Unit (TRU), the Special Patrol Unit (SPU) and, to a lesser extent, the K9 Unit. De Beer further testified that criminal networks allegedly used civilian informers to identify cash-intensive businesses, with some cases involving collaboration between JMPD officers and other criminal actors. Supt. Elmarie de Beer says lack of evidence was a shortcoming in dealing with Superintendent Phineas Manyama's investigation...

Civil society activists have lodged a formal appeal against a land use approval that will allow US technology company Equinix to build a hyperscale data centre at King Air Industria in Cape Town. The Housing Assembly and technology justice organisation Foxglove, represented by the Legal Resources Centre, say the application should have been rejected because of inadequate information about the data centre's impact on surrounding communities, in particular on electricity and water resources. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Attorney at the Legal Resources Centre, Kimal Harvey 

While the poor residents of Pango Camp Informal settlement in Munsieville, outside Krugersdorp are trying to keep limb and life together, politicians are scrambling to garner votes for the November polls. Every day, dozens of hungry children, pensioners and people living with a disabilities, flock to a local soup kitchen to get their meal for the day. Owner, Elise Saunders, who lived in a run-down shack at the edge of the informal settlement, was disturbed to see children eating rotten food from the landfill site. Our Politics Reporter Ntebo Mokobo visited the family, who chose love over comfort, proving  that compassion knows no colour.   

Zanzibar authorities are stepping up preparations for the El Niño-affected October-to-December rainy season, urging people in high-risk areas to take action before heavy rains arrive. The Tanzania Meteorological Authority says the short rainy season is expected to bring normal to above-normal rainfall in several parts of the country, with rains beginning from late September and potentially extending into January. SABC News' Isaac Lukando has more. 

The Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube says preparations to ensure textbooks are delivered to schools ahead of the 2027 academic year, are underway. This as the implementation of the one-point-six-billion-rand textbook catalogue tender remains suspended, pending further legal scrutiny of the process. Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube says provincial education departments need to be part of the decisions and the risks. As Lerato Dlalisa reports, Gwarube addressed the Cape Town Press Club. ……

The Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Maropene Ramokgopa says there can be no justification for violence against foreign nationals in the country. The minister said this while official opening the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference at the Cape Town International Convention Center last night. Abongwe Kobokana reports.

COSATU's 15th National Congress was a non-starter on the first day of its four-day conference amid a standoff over the suspension of the first deputy president Mike Shingange. Several Cosatu union affiliates – led by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) – refused to submit their credentials in retaliation over Shingange's suspension. Shingange – who was also the president of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union was suspended by the union after going against its instructions of signing-off on his nomination into Cosatu's new leadership structure. SABC Economics Reporter Naledi Mabitsela-Ngcobo filed this report.

South Africa's athletes had mixed results at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest. Sinesipho Dambile was the standout, finishing fourth in the men's 200 metres in 19-point-91 seconds.  Gift Leotlela broke the ten-second barrier in the men's 100 metres, clocking 9-point-98 for sixth, with Akani Simbine eighth in 10-point-09 .SAfm sports anchor Jon Gericke has more  

This Monday, SAfm anchor Sakina Kamwendo once again spoke to ,Motheo Tlhagale Investment Analyst at FNB, for the latest market update.

The Acting National Commissioner of SAPS, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, says police will leave no stone unturned to identify and arrest those responsible for the deaths of women in Gauteng. This follows the discovery of a fifth body today. Dimpane has also extended condolences to the family of 38-year-old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, whose remains were positively identified at the Germiston mortuary. One suspect remains in custody in connection with the first body discovered in July.  Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the family spokesperson for missing runner Elizabeth Moselagomo, Dawn Gounden, who is also attached to Renegades Search and Rescue.

After months of living on the streets, refugees camping outside the Department of Home Affairs offices on Che Guevara Road in Durban will finally be provided with temporary accommodation. This was confirmed by eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba, who visited the offices following a protest by the anti-immigration group March and March. The municipality will facilitate the refugees' transportation to temporary accommodation to the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Gauteng. For more on this Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Mlondi Radebe....

Nearly 2000 members of SA's largest trade union Cosatu have converged on Joburg's Gallagher estate for the 15th National Congress. COSATU's 15th National Congress is taking place at a time when workers are grappling with  the escalating cost of living, high inflation, and staggering unemployment rates. Delegates from 16 COSATU-affiliates unions are expected to vote for the labour federation's new leadership at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. To discuss this further Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Political Economist, Dr Dale Mckinley.....

The family of a seven-year-old girl who was allegedly raped by someone close to the family in Makaepea village, outside Senwabarwana, in North West says it remains deeply concerned that the suspect has not been arrested. The family, which cannot be identified to protect the child, says the suspect continues to move around the home, adding to their trauma. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC news reporter Baatseba Mowa

The Acting National Commissioner of SAPS, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, says police will leave no stone unturned to identify and arrest those responsible for the deaths of women in Gauteng. This follows the discovery of a fifth body today. Dimpane has also extended condolences to the family of 38-year-old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, whose remains were positively identified at the Germiston mortuary. One suspect remains in custody in connection with the first body discovered in July.  Dawn Gounden i the spokesperson for the family of elizabeth. 

Parliament says it's ready to host the six day 69-the Commonwealth conference - that kicks off in Cape Town today. The conference brings together 800 parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth nations until the end of the week. Its aim is for MPs to discuss issues that will strengthen democratic governance, sustainable development, economic inclusion and international cooperation. Lawmakers meet under the theme: "Strengthening International Law and Parliamentary Democracy in a Changing World Order". Zalene Merrington reports...

Residents of Nelson Mandela Bay in the Eastern Cape have expressed frustration following the municipality's decision to spend 235-thousand rand on a State of the Metro Address event that was held in Despatch on Thursday evening. The event has come under scrutiny amid ongoing water and electricity disruptions, ageing infrastructure and other service-delivery challenges. The municipality says billions of rands are being invested in infrastructure - but residents want to know when they will see the impact on the ground. Sisipho Ngcumbe reports…

The Gauteng Education Department says it is intensifying its crackdown on illegally operating independent schools across the province. Sixty-one schools suspected of operating unlawfully have been visited this year, with thirty-two served with closure letters. The department says the action is aimed at ensuring learners are placed in schools that are properly registered and meet the required standards. Education MEC Lebogang Maile was briefing the media in Johannesburg on the state of the independent schooling sector, including its growth, subsidies and regulation. Culvin Mabasa has the story…

A 58 year old security officer is expected to appear in the Goodwood Magistrates Court in Cape Town on Monday in connection with the fatal shooting of a teenager. The boy was gunned down on Friday, on property that used to be a girls convent. He sustained a gunshot wound to his back and succumbed to the injuries on the scene. Andile Mbanjwa reports... 

ANC National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe has called for calm, urging that the court processes be allowed to unfold following the failure to submit candidate lists to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on time. The party has attributed the debacle to a technical glitch affecting six municipalities with the most of them in the Eastern Cape. Mantashe spoke to the media on the sidelines at the City Hall in Ku Gompo City where he was engaging faith based organisations.Abongile Jantjies reports...

ActionSA Deputy President Dr, Mbahare Kekana says the party is excited about contesting Local Government Elections in the Free State for the first time. Kekana is confident that the party will walk away victorious in the province after the November polls. He says ActionSA is focused on repairing the province's municipalities and ensuring that there are job opportunities especially for the youth. Kekana alongside provincial secretary, Lerato Mosala conducted door-to-door campaigns and the induction of the party's ward candidates in Welkom. Abigail Visagie reports. 

News and Current Affairs Show host/presenter Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Martin Creamer, publishing editor of Engineering News and Mining Weekly, live on weekdays from 12 noon to 1 pm on SAfm 104-107fm.

The BRICS Business Forum is underway in India, with business leaders, Ministers and Heads of state under one roof. They are   discussing trade, investment, finance, technology and development challenges that shape the BRICS economic agenda. The Forum serves as a platform where key ideas and suggestions from the Council are presented and discussed, and plays a strong agenda-setting role at the 18th BRICS Summit, taking place from tomorrow until Sunday. The summit, hosted under India's chairship, is themed "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Security." For more we are now joined by the Chairperson of the Trade and Investment Working Group in the SA BRICS Business Council, Advocate Mtho Xulu  

Gauteng Acting Provincial Police Commissioner, Major General Fred Kekana, presenting the crime statistics for Gauteng for the first quarter of the 2026 financial year. Kekana says overall contact crime in Gauteng decreased by three percent during the first quarter. However, attempted murder, assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, and common assault increased. Kekana revealed Gender-based violence and femicide cases declined by 9.1 percent, while property-related crime fell by 2.7 percent. Major General Fred Kekana, presenting the crime statistics for Gauteng for the first quarter of the 2026 had this to say     

The Hawks will hand over six Nigerians to their US counterparts . The extradition follows a massive international crackdown on a multi-million-rand online romance scam. The six are suspected to be members of the notorious organised crime network Black Axe. They are accused of targeting more than 100 American women, including businesspeople and vulnerable pensioners. Hawks Spokesperson Katlego Mogale elaborates. Sakina kamwendo spoke to Security Strategist and Retired Interpol Ambassador, Andy Mashaile.... 

This Friday, SAfm anchor Sakina Kamwendo once again spoke to Victor Mupunga, Head of Research at Old Mutual Wealth Private Clients , for the latest market update.

The SAFA NEC is meeting ahead of Saturday's Elective Conference. Members of the South African Masters and Legends Football Association who represents the voices of football veterans, protested outside the meeting. They were excluded from the elective conference, but argue they possess valuable knowledge to impart to the leadership. The Masters and Veterans are backing Amazulu chairman, Sandile Zungu. SAfm sports anchor Jon Gericke has more

The Johannesburg High Court has found Bafana Mahungela guilty of all charges relating to the murder of school teacher Kirsten Kluyts. Mahungela allegedly killed Kluyts in October 2023. He was found guilty of murder, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances and attempted rape. Mahungela had pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The court has ordered him to return for sentencing on the 27th of October.  We spoke to SABC NEWS reporter Calvin Dludla

KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport has intensified road safety checks ahead of this weekend's Reed Dance in oPhongolo north of the province. Thousands of maidens are expected to attend the annual event, with many travelling by bus and other public transport. More than 80 traffic officers have been deployed to check buses and other vehicles, while roadblocks will also be held at various hot spots over the weekend. Gcinokuhle Malinga reports....

The US is marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Almost 3000 people died in the attacks in 2001  - including two South Africans.  This year there's renewed focus on the thousands of people who died from illness in the years following the worst terror attacks on US soil. Nick Harper reports from Washington. 

Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor, Babalwa Lobishe, has painted a picture of the metro making progress despite significant financial and service-delivery challenges. This emerged during the State of the Metro Address in Despatch outside Gqeberha on Thursday night (10 September). The Democratic Alliance boycotted the SOMA, claiming the metro is using the ratepayers' money for lavish gala events. Sisipho Ngcumbe reports...

The University of South Africa in collaboration with the Economic Development and Tourism Department in Mpumalanga, has held a career guidance workshop at the Funakwo Secondary School in Barberton. This is to encourage learners to take up tourism as a subject. The University says it regarded Mpumalanga as the best tourist destination. Motsebi wa Monareng reports ..

Transnet has presented an improved set of financial results for the year ending 31 March 2026, with profit climbing to 4,6-billion rand in the period.  The state-owned logistics company further notes that revenues improved by 7-percent as a result of overall financial performance and improved movement in volumes.  However, Transnet notes that although it has returned to profitability, the work to turn the organisation around is far from over.  Naledi Mabitsela-Ngcobo filed this report...

The Hawks, in collaboration with Interpol South Africa, will facilitate the extradition of six Nigerian nationals to the United States.The six men are alleged members of the Black Axe organised crime network and are wanted in the US for wire fraud and money laundering. They allegedly defrauded more than 100 American women of over 100 million rand through sophisticated online romance scams, targeting pensioners and business people. The suspects were arrested in South Africa in 2021. They will be handed over to FBI and US Secret Service officials at Cape Town International Airport this afternoon. Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale explains 

Five suspects arrested in a multi-million rand drug bust on a farm in Musina, Limpopo last month have  abandoned bail at the Musina magistrate's court. The suspects were arrested during a police operation. They including two Mexican nationals, two Zimbabwean nationals and a Malawian national. The five foreign nationals, aged between 20 and 47, include Mariano Barraza and Joan Castillo from Mexico and three Zimbabwean nationals, Tichaona Nyamukanga, Tanaka Nyamukanga and Lee Mubayi. Their defense lawyer Attorney Wiets Beukes informed the court that they will inform the court about a possible bail application at a later stage. Beukes told the court that they are not ready to proceed as a Spanish interpreter is not available. Beukes also told court that accused number 5 needs immediate medical attention, as he had seizures yesterday in custody. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC news reporter Avhapfani Munyai 

Correctional Services National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale says a prisoner who escaped from the Rooigrond Maximum Correctional Centre near Mahikeng in the North West has been rearrested. Edward Madiba is serving a 20-year sentence for robbery, possession of a firearm and ammunition, kidnapping and parole violation. Speaking at a media briefing this morning, Thobakgale also confirmed that investigations are underway into who may have assisted Madiba in his escape. 

Tensions are high in Durban, where scores of protesters have gathered at King Dinizulu Park for a demonstration against undocumented immigration. The protesters are expected to march to the Home Affairs Refugee Reception Centre, where refugees have been camping for several months. Police have been deployed heavily in the area, with part of Che Guevara Road cordoned off following last week's violent confrontation between the two groups. 

More than 300 people are living at the former Zimbabwean consulate in Bruma, Johannesburg, waiting to be repatriated. The Zimbabwean government has stopped providing buses for displaced immigrants. Civil society groups under the Siyafana Sonke Action Campaign have been assisting with food, medical supplies, hygiene products and other provisions. For more on this Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Civic Engagement Forum of Zimbabwe's General Sithole...