Update@Noon

Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile says school safety remains a major concern, with the department reviewing its seven-pillar safety strategy. Maile says Search-and-seizure operations will continue at schools, both announced and unannounced. Maile says the department is spending R165 million on school patrollers, while working with SAPS and Community Safety to strengthen security and combat crime. Maile was briefing the media outlining plans to curb issues affecting Gauteng schools. Maile is facing a mammoth task to stabilize compromised safety measures in a number of schools that have been identified high-risk. Briefing the media had this to say

Orlando Pirates will have to get past Sekhukhune United in their bid to win a fifth successive MTN8 title.Pirates were pushed into extra time to beat MTN8 debutants Durban City in Soweto.
Sekhukhune United got the better of AmaZulu in a thrilling 4-3 win, which also needed extra time to separate the teams. The second semi-final will see Mamelodi Sundowns face Golden Arrows, who sent Kaizer Chiefs packing. SAfm sports anchor Jon Gericke has more

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has distanced itself from Morita Forestry, following allegations that the company operated an investment scam that cost South Africans hundreds of millions of rand. The department says it had no formal relationship with Morita Forestry, but participated in a tree-planting event where the company donated about 300 trees. The department says Morita Forestry may have used its participation in the One Million Trees Programme to create an impression of legitimacy. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the department's Chief Director for Forestry Development, Tebogo Mathiane

The South African Weather Service has issued a severe warning for disruptive snowfall over the Drakensberg and northern parts of Eastern Cape. Snow is also a possibility in Johannesburg and other parts of Gauteng as the cold front intensifies. We spoke to Senior Forecaster at the South African Weather Service, Tokelo Chiloane.....

Iran and Oman are reportedly close to reaching a deal over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route. However, Tehran says an agreement alone will not be enough to reopen the strategic waterway. The agreement is considered crucial to broader efforts to end the war, which began after simultaneous American and Israeli attacks on Iran in late February. We spoke to Senior Researcher and Director at Africa Asia Dialogues Thembisa Fakude