First Take SA

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.

A major legal and diplomatic standoff has come to an end, at least in the courts. South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal has ruled decisively in favour of the family of Zambia's late former President, Edgar Lungu, blocking efforts by the Zambian government to repatriate his remains. At the heart of this case: who has the final say over a former head of state's burial, the nation or the family? The court has made it clear: the family's rights come first. We spoke to Chanoda Ngwira, a close friend to the former president.

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

Rise Mzansi MP and Section 89 Committee Chairperson Makashule Gana has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene in what he describes as a deepening conflict within South Africa's criminal justice system. Gana says tensions between SAPS and the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) are undermining public confidence in law enforcement. His remarks come as senior police generals challenge IDAC's authority, filing an urgent complaint with the Justice Minister over an ongoing corruption case. The allegations stem from claims of corruption in recruitment processes, despite a prior SAPS investigation that reportedly cleared the panel of wrongdoing. IDAC has allegedly postponed scheduled arrests, citing national security concerns and the risk of unrest linked to planned June 30 demonstrations. We spoke to Forensic investigator, Chad Thomas

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.