First Take SA

South Africa and Uganda are looking to boost trade, investment and regional co-operation. During an interview after their talks in Pretoria, South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Co-operation, Ronald Lamola, and his co-chair Uganda's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, have highlighted economic partnerships, easier travel and energy security as priorities for stronger African integration. Botlhale Phele reports

Political funding and citizen-led interventions have taken the spotlight as small and new political parties prepare for the upcoming local government elections. We speak to The South African Mass Movement (SAMMO), African People's Convention (APC) and MOVESA, on the realities they are faced with as the country prepares for the November fourth polls. Zara Groenewald reports

The protest turned tense as anger boiled over outside the Department of Justice in Pretoria as Legal Aid South Africa workers were told the Minister of Justice failed to meet them to receive their memorandum, despite allegedly being informed months ago. The workers say unresolved grievances, including frozen vacancies, excessive workloads, salary disparities and the retirement age of 60, are undermining their working conditions. But beyond the labor dispute, the ongoing strike is raising concerns about access to justice, with some accused people reportedly appearing in court without free legal representation and cases being postponed. Musa Mhlongo reports

The case against controversial businessman Joe "Ferrari" Sibanyoni and his three co-accused, is postponed to the 20th of April, 2027 for further investigations. The four men appeared on Tuesday before the Delmas Magistrates' Court in Mpumalanga. The accused face allegations of demanding more than 2.2-million-rand in protection fees from a mining businessman over several years. Thato Letsaba Reports

Some of the political parties represented in Parliament say they want Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to take into consideration, the current high fuel costs when he tables the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement in Parliament today. Abongwe Kobokana reports.
We also spoke to Dr. Joe Maswanganyi, ANC MP and Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Finance