First Take SA

Correctional Services Miinister, Dr. Pieter Groenewald and members of Parliament's portfolio committee are at loggerheads. This over the legal status of the full absorption of former G4S staffers into the Grootvlei Maximum Correctional facility in Mangaung. Earlier this year, the department took control of the facility. This after the 25 year old Public Private Partnership contract came to an end folllowing the daring escape of an inmate, Thabo Bester. Former G4S employess have taken the department to court for not absorbing all staff. In May, the Labour Court ruled that the department should take on board the former employees, but the department plans to appeal this ruling in the highest court due to its far reaching consequences. Zalene Merrington reports...

As the political dust settles, and reality dawns, things are getting much clearer for all those who participated in the 2026 local government elections. While others mourn their losses, several newcomers, such as ActionSA, South African Communist Party, and Umkhonto weSizwe have scored spectacular gains, in the North West. Action SA is now the forth largest party in the province, followed by SACP while MK Party secured the seventh position. SABC News reporter Lebogang Pebe compiled this report.

Members of Parliament have expressed concern and dissatisfaction over Transnet's perfomance and financial status, following the entity's 2025/2026 audit report. They also accused Transnet of trying to downplay its failures. The entity reported a profit of 4.6 billion rand after a once-off transaction of 12.5 billon rands, following a 49 percent sale of its shares at the Durban Gateway Terminal, cushioning what would be an eight billion loss. Yamkela Mtshiyo reports...

The Electoral Commission has scheduled a revote for Ward 3 in the Northern Cape's Siyancuma Municipality for next week Wednesday (18 November). Results for the area were withheld following the destruction of 100 ballot papers during a tense counting session at Bongani Community Hall in Douglas last week. IEC Provincial Officer, Elkin Topkins, says special vote applications have now opened to allow registered voters to cast their ballots ahead of the revote. Warren Engelbrecht reports...

The Constitutional Court has heard a high-stakes challenge against the Northern Cape's extended liquor trading hours, a case that could reshape alcohol regulations nationwide. The DG Murray Trust is cross-appealing an earlier High Court ruling, arguing the state has a binding constitutional duty to protect citizens from alcohol-related harm. Under fire are provisions allowing taverns to trade until two AM and nightclubs until six AM, which public health experts link to soaring rates of violence and road injuries. While the provincial legislature maintains these hours align with regulatory norms, activists argue the policy completely ignores the devastating social toll on vulnerable communities.Elvis Presslin spoke to Lucky Ntimane, Convenor of the National Liquor Traders...