THE MORNING BRIEF

As Johannesburg faces a worsening water crisis, residents and businesses are increasingly turning to boreholes to secure water, with applications for drilling jumping by 80% in the past six months. Experts warn that unregulated or improperly drilled boreholes threaten groundwater safety and can cause significant damage to surrounding infrastructure. Guest: Dr. Ferrial Adam: Executive Director, WaterCan

The South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) in Tshwane says the city’s ongoing refusal to pay salary increases owed to municipal workers since 2021 is driving many of its own employees into debt with the municipality itself. Nearly 9,000 municipal workers now owe the city a combined R28.88 million, up from R24.67 million a year ago. Guest: Lehlogonolo Maphatsoe: South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) Tshwane regional chairperson

The Eastern Cape High Court in Gqeberha has reserved judgment on the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) application for leave to appeal the acquittal of televangelist Timothy Omotoso and his two co-accused, Lusanda Sulaniand Zikiswa Sitho. Guest: Luxolo Tyali: Spokesperson, National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Eastern Cape

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Labour Court orders AMSA to reinstate dismissed workers 2. Nissan recalls over 1600 Qashqai SUVs in South Africa3. Markets

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Labour Court orders AMSA to reinstate dismissed workers 2. Nissan recalls over 1600 Qashqai SUVs in South Africa3. Markets

South Africa has made global headlines by becoming the first country in Africa — and only the third in the world — to approve lenacapavir (LEN), a revolutionary twice-yearly injectable drug that prevents HIV infection. Guest: Prof. Glenda Gray - Director of the Infectious Disease and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI) at Wits University

This week, SAPS ballistics head Brigadier Mishak Mkhabela revealed to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that police have been forced to repurpose a museum into a storage facility to house over 29,000 firearms, each linked to a killing somewhere in the country. Guest: David Bruce: Independent Researcher in Policing, Crime and Criminal Justice and ISS Consultant

A bloody weekend across several Cape Flats communities has left at least 22 people dead and 16 others critically injured, sparking outrage and renewed calls for government intervention. The African Congress for Change has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare a state of emergency in the region. Guest: Masizole Mnqasela: President of the Alliance of Citizens for Change, and Former Speaker of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament.

The issue of bail in South Africa has once again come under the spotlight — most recently after Police Minister Bheki Cele described the country’s bail system as “a mess.” How does the bail system operate in SA? Guest: Dr (Adv) JB Skosana: South African Law Reform Commission Commissioner designated to the Review of the Criminal Procedure Act project

The Ministry in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities welcomes the swift arrest of a suspect linked to the brutal killing of two young women in Mamelodi East, Gauteng. Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga condemns, in the strongest possible terms, this senseless act of violence that has once again robbed families, communities, and our nation of young lives filled with promise. Guest: Sindisiwe Chikunga - Minister Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Africa Update Report with Advocate Sipho Mantula, Researcher: Thabo Mbeki African School of Public & International Affairs: Unisa 29 October 2025 1. Tanzania – Zanzibar As Tanzania decides today Zanzibar early voting starts as Suluhu conducts last rally in Mwanza President Samia Suluhu Hassan made her final campaign appeal to supporters on Tuesday, addressing a massive rally in the party's signature green colors as Tanzania prepares for general elections that are expected to extend her party's six-decade hold on power. Zimbabwe- Harare Firebombing Targets Ibbo Mandaza’s Sapes Trust Offices yesterday Unidentified assailants firebombed the Sapes Trust offices in Belgravia, Harare, in the early hours of yesterday morning, completely destroying the organisation’s seminar room, a prominent venue for public debates and policy discussions. Jamaica – Cuba Hurricane Melissa set to hit Jamaica and Cuba Hurricane Melissa has intensified into a Category 5 storm as it draws closer to Jamaica, where forecasters say it will unleash catastrophic flooding, landslides and widespread damage. Cuba is predicted to be next in its path. In our historical archives, it was on this day 29 October 1998 when the 3500-page final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was officially handed to the late President Nelson Mandela at a ceremony in Tshwane, after the Cape High Court rejected a last-minute bid by the African National Congress to block its publication.

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Palantir teams up with Nvidia to boost its AI software 2. Ninety One sets sights on Middle East growth3. Markets

Record-breaking rainfall has triggered devastating floods across central Vietnam, submerging parts of the UNESCO-listed cities of Hue and Hoi An. Over a metre of rain fell within 24 hours — the heaviest on record — inundating homes, cutting power to hundreds of thousands, and forcing thousands to evacuate amid warnings that the severe weather could persist through the week. Guest: Jasper Knight: Professor of Geography at Wits University

Attorney Shaun Jacobs has won a significant legal victory after being unlawfully arrested by police officers outside his home. The incident occurred when Jacobs arrived home to find a police roadblock set up directly outside his property. After asking officers to move it and filming their refusal, he was allegedly met with aggression and subsequently arrested. Guest: Nthabiseng Dubazana: Legal Expert, Dubazana Attorneys

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Pick n Pay’s turnaround shows progress, but not enough for markets 2. FirstRand takes 20% stake in Optasia to drive fintech expansion3. Markets

The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) reports receiving over 3,000 mental health crisis calls daily, with many coming from young people battling depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Guest: Cassey Chambers: Operations Director, South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG)

Why do African leaders want to hold on to power for so long? Guest: Lerato Tsebe: An independent African Researcher

The Pan African Bar Association of South Africa has noted with concern the allegations made by an unidentified witness against the Acting Judge President of the Gauteng High Court, Judge Ledwaba (AJP Ledwaba before the Madlanga Commission, as well as the proliferation of public commentary on this delicate issue. Guest: Adv. Dali Mpofu: Secretary, The Pan African Bar Association of South Africa (PABASA)

The SABC has brought back two of the country’s most iconic educational dramas — Soul City and Soul Buddyz. Both shows were trailblazers in using storytelling to address pressing social and health issues, from HIV/AIDS awareness to gender-based violence and children’s rights. Guest: Phinah Kodisang: Soul City CEO

Latest business news with Ntaoleng Lechela - Business Reporter Pick n Pay’s turnaround shows progress, but not enough for markets 2. FirstRand takes 20% stake in Optasia to drive fintech expansion3. Markets