First Take SA

Western Cape Police Commissioner, Sizakhele Dyantyi, says investigations are at a crucial stage, following Wednesday morning's shootout between police and a suspect in Knysna, which left a policeman dead, as well as the suspect. Police were following up on leads in the recent deaths of Knysna's former Mayor, Aubrey Tsengwa and two others, when the shootout occurred. Sagree Chetty reports.

The South African Automotive Masterplan 2035 is under review, and labour is pushing for changes. MISA says the current plan focuses too much on vehicle manufacturing and ignores hundreds of thousands of jobs in dealerships, workshops and fuel stations. The union has told the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition the retail motor sector must be included.
We speak to MISA spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola on what needs to change in South African Automotive Masterplan 2035.

Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo is calling on residents to plant more trees ahead of Arbor Month in September. The city says its tree population is ageing and under pressure from development, illegal felling, fires, pests and climate change. We speak to Joburg City Parks and Zoo Senior Manager, Jenny Moodley on why expanding the urban forest is urgent and how residents can help.

South African salary earners may have had some relief from easing inflation in July, but economists warn that the pay squeeze is far from over, as pressures on the economy persist. According to the latest PayInc Net Salary Index, average nominal net salary - which is the money paid to workers after deductions - increased further to R21,642. The index tracks take-home pay for about 2.1 million South African salary earners. SABC News Economics Reporter Nosipho Radebe has the story.

The EFF's motion to remove National Assembly Speaker, Thoko Didiza, has been defeated. The motion related to Didiza's decision not to oppose President Cyril Ramaphosa's urgent interdict application in the Western Cape High Court to halt the Parliamentary impeachment process against him. During the debate in the House, EFF leader, Julius Malema, argued that Didiza has not shown impartiality and chose to prioritise her political party. The ANC chief whip, Mdumiseni Ntuli, countered Malema, saying there is a record to show Didiza acted speedily to implement the ruling of the Concourt in May, that an Impeachment committee should be established. Zalene Merrington reports.