First Take SA

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has raised urgent concerns regarding a growing and largely overlooked social crisis in South Africa: the increasing number of fathers being denied meaningful access to their children. Despite ongoing efforts to protect the rights of women and children, there is a rising concern that the rights of children to maintain relationships with both parents are not being adequately upheld. The ATM has called on the Portfolio Committee on Social Development to urgently convene a parliamentary engagement to investigate these concerns. We spoke to ATM National Spokesperson, Zama Ntshona.

Police have reopened the 2021 death of Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant-General Sindile Mfazi as a murder investigation. His death was initially attributed to Covid-19 but an exhumation and forensic tests found he was poisoned. Authorities confirm multiple raids were conducted at properties in Centurion linked to SAPS members. Police say a breakthrough has been made and a number of people of interest are being investigated. But no arrests have been made so far. We spoke to Independent Crime Analyst, Dr. Chris De Kock.

The DA has condemned President Cyril Ramaphosa's appointment of Ayanda Dlodlo as South Africa's ambassador to France. She replaces the late Nathi Mthethwa, who died in Paris last year. The DA cites allegations from the State Capture Commission and a Public Protector probe linked to Ms. Dlodlo. The party says the appointment damages South Africa's reputation with a key trade partner. The Presidency has not yet responded to the criticism. We spoke to FF Plus Leader, Dr. Corné Mulder.

The DA in Tshwane will hold a media briefing outside the Gauteng North High Court this morning. Mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink will outline the party's impending legal action against Deputy Mayor and MMC for Finance, Eugene Modise.
Brink is expected to detail the reasons for the challenge and what it means for governance in the city. We spoke to Cilliers Brink.

A look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoesoana, author of Africa Is Open For Business and Africa Bounces Back