Update@Noon

Acting Premier of the Western Cape, Ivan Meyer says disaster teams remain on high alert as severe weather continues to batter parts of the province. Meyer says strong winds, flooding, fallen trees and electricity outages have affected areas including the Overberg, Cape Winelands, Garden Route, West Coast and the City of Cape Town. Meyer says three people have since died during the severe weather, while several others were injured and vehicles damaged by falling trees. He has urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel as a Level 8 warning remains in place. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the Acting Premier of the Western Cape, Dr Ivan Meyer

Economist and Honorary Professor at the Wits Business School, Professor Jannie Rossouw says South Africa’s rising unemployment rate reflects both seasonal and deep structural economic problems. Rossouw says weak economic growth continues to fuel job losses and limit opportunities. He says government policies over the past three decades have failed to create enough jobs or attract sufficient investment. New figures released from Statistics South Africa show the country's unemployment rate has deepened. South Africa's official unemployment rate climbed to 32-point-7 percent in the first quarter of 2026, up from 31-point-4 percent in the final quarter of 2025. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Honorary Professor at the Wits Business School and economist at Altitude Wealth, Professor Jannie Rossouw.

Three suspects aged between 46 and 60 are expected to appear on Wednesday before the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court on charges relating to extortion. The suspects were arrested by members of the organized crime unit in Mpumalanga in the early hours of this morning, two in Gauteng and one in Mpumalanga. Among the arrested suspects is a taxi boss. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Mpumalanga Provincial Police Spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo.

Testifying before the Madlanga Commission, SAPS Zonkizizwe CIMAC Commander Warrant Officer Marumo Magane admitted officers made an oversight by allowing a truck suspected of carrying drugs to leave a premises without obtaining a search warrant. Commissioners questioned why police failed to secure the scene despite reasonable suspicion. Magane conceded the decision exposed officers to possible danger and created a risk that the suspected drugs could have been removed before reaching the destination.

The State Information Technology Agency has entered a new leadership phase with Magatho Anthony Mello officially taking over as permanent Managing Director from 1 April 2026. Communications Minister Solly Malatsi also announced a full new board approved by Cabinet for a three-year term. The appointments end nearly two years of acting leadership at SITA and are expected to bring stability, improved governance. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SITA's managing director Magatho Mello