First Take SA

The United Nations General Assembly convenes a high level meeting in New York today to mark 25 years since the Durban Declaration. Adopted in South Africa in 2001, the Programme of Action remains the global blueprint against racism and discrimination. The meeting comes amid continued debate over the framework's legacy and implementation. UN Human Rights Regional Representative for Southern Africa Abigail Noko spoke to our senior producer Ronald Phiri about its mandate.

Fear is growing in Ekurhuleni after the discovery of several women's bodies across the region in recent weeks. The African Unite Borders Bus Trucks Association, AUBBTA says the killings have created panic among passengers, especially women using public transport. AUBTA is now calling for lockdowns, gated communities and tighter controls at highways and off-ramps in hotspots like Kempton Park and Tembisa. They also wants people and vehicles entering high-risk areas to be verified and for convicted killers to face tougher punishment. We spoke to Chairperson of The African Unite Borders Bus Trucks Association, AUBBTA, Phumudzo Mukhwathi

The Special Investigating Unit, SIU has secured 42.4 million rand in cash, properties, pension benefits and investments linked to alleged bribery at Tembisa Hospital. The assets are connected to businessman Stefan Joel Govindraju, who allegedly paid 100 million rand in bribes to officials to secure procurement deals worth 600 million rand. The SIU says the preservation orders form part of its ongoing probe into corruption at the Gauteng hospital. We spoke to Madeleine Hicklin, DA Gauteng spokesperson on Health.

Three Chapter Nine institutions begin a joint national inquiry into gender based violence in Braamfontein, Johannesburg today. The Commission for Gender Equality, the South African Human Rights Commission and the CRL Rights Commission will probe why reporting, victim support and pre-trial investigations continue to fail women despite government commitments. The five-day sitting at Braampark follows what the commissions call an overwhelming public response to submissions from victims, families and civil society. We spoke to Javu Baloyi, Spokesperson for the Commission for Gender Equality.

The National Liquor Traders says it is deeply shocked by the killings in Wedela in Gauteng and Lwandle in the Western Cape. The organisation has sent condolences to families and says places where people gather must never become scenes of terror. Convenor Lucky Ntimane has called for illegal firearms and organized violence to be confronted and cautioned against blaming lawful tavern operators. We spoke to Mr. Ntimane