First Take SA

The African Transformation Movement, ATM says it will urgently approach the Constitutional Court for clarity on the Section 89 impeachment process. The move follows a Western Cape High Court ruling that granted President Cyril Ramaphosa an interim interdict stopping Parliament's public hearings on the Phala Phala matter. ATM argues the judgment creates constitutional uncertainty and questions whether a lower court can suspend an order of the apex court. The party says it is seeking legal certainty to protect the authority of the Constitutional Court and Parliament's role, not attacking the judiciary. We spoke to ATM spokesperson, Zama Ntshona.

The head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, IDAC, Advocate Andrea Johnson has asked to resign with immediate effect. The NPA confirmed it received her letter and is considering the request, while a copy was also sent to President Cyril Ramaphosa as the appointing authority. The Presidency has not commented. Johnson's request comes amid growing scrutiny after her testimony last week at the Madlanga Commission raised questions about the credibility of some IDAC cases. We spoke to DA Chief Whip & Spokesperson on Justice & Constitutional Development, Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach.

Former PRASA boss Lucky Montana says the SIU has not obtained a preservation order against him, only a provisional order to start legal proceedings. In a statement, he says he was served on 9 July and has filed a notice to oppose, with his affidavit due by 19 August 2026. Montana accused the SIU of misleading the public and said state agencies have targeted him for years over the R53-billion Gibela train contract. He denies any wrongdoing and says he is not intimidated by the latest legal action. We spoke to Legal Analyst, Mpumelelo Zikalala.

The South African Democratic Teachers Union, SADTU has condemned Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's statement on developments at the Public Investment Corporation. SADTU, which represents thousands of public servants whose pension savings are managed through the Government Employees Pension Fund, says the Minister's comments raise serious questions about governance, accountability and the protection of workers' deferred wages. At the centre of the issue is whether senior executives are being treated differently when it comes to governance processes, particularly the use of precautionary suspensions in cases involving serious allegations. We spoke to SADTU spokesperson, Nomusa Cembi.

The Border Management Authority says long freight queues at Beitbridge are due to congestion on the Zimbabwean side of the border. The BMA and SARS say all South African operations, including immigration, cargo and health checks, are running normally. Zimbabwean officials report limited parking and slow processing by clearing agents, with abnormal-load trucks taking up space. The BMA says it is engaging counterparts in Zimbabwe to speed up movement and clear the backlog. We spoke to BMA spokesperson, Mmemme Mogotsi.