First Take SA

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula is facing three separate legal challenges from within his own party. Judgment has been reserved in the contempt case brought by ANC member Lwazi Rotya over branch meeting data amid claims of manipulation and ID harvesting. In the same breath, Mbalula says Andile Lungisa should have used internal structures instead of going to court over his alleged removal from the Nelson Mandela Bay list. Meanwhile Eastern Cape secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi has threatened Mbalula with legal action for defamation. Producer Tracey Boomgaard spoke to Political analyst, Dr. Ongama Mtimka about what the latest legal threat by Ngcukayitobi against Mbalula says about tensions between the ANC Eastern Cape and its national leadership.

The Madlanga Commission marked a year on Thursday since it was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2025. Its Chairperson, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, used the occasion to reflect on the evidence presented before the Inquiry. He raised concerns about emerging evidence indicating serious criminality within the criminal justice system. Since its establishment, the Commission has heard evidence from 110 witnesses over 174 days. Sibahle Motha reports.

The killing of women in Kempton Park and elsewhere in Ekurhuleni has once again raised serious concerns about the safety of women and the wider crisis of gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa. The SANAC Civil Society Forum is calling for thorough investigations and prosecution, but says the response cannot only come after women have already lost their lives. The Forum is also calling for safety assessments of areas where women are vulnerable, looking at everything from street lighting and public transport to police visibility, surveillance and access to emergency assistance. We're joined by the Chairperson of the SANAC Civil Society Forum and Co-Chairperson of SANAC, Mr. Solly Nduku.

Government joined grieving families at the Ekurhuleni Civic Centre in Kempton Park yesterday to honour nine women killed in recent gender-based violence and femicide attacks. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia told mourners the suspects will be pursued without delay, while Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga called for united action against the violence. President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared the murders a national crisis and ordered a round-the-clock specialised team to hunt those responsible. For more we spoke to Deputy Government Spokesperson Mr. William Baloyi.

The Democratic Alliance in Tshwane has opened criminal cases against several ANC councillors following serious complaints from community members. Residents claim local development opportunities and municipal jobs are being weaponised to reward political allies and connected individuals. The official police investigation is looking into disturbing affidavits detailing alleged political interference, blatant favouritism and extortion. Joining us live on the line to respond to these developing allegations is ANC Tshwane Regional Spokesperson, Joel Masilela Ka Mahlangu.