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This is the locl daily briefing, morning edition, for Thursday, 12 November 2026. Here's what moved across South African radio and podcasts over the last twenty-four hours. Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala's testimony at the Madlanga Commission dominated bulletins on almost every station, with fresh allegations against former police minister Bheki Cele. Tatjana Smith's decision to swim for the Netherlands moved beyond the sports desks into open-line debate about how South Africa treats its athletes. Coalition manoeuvring after the local government elections and grim new unemployment figures rounded out a heavy news day. First up, Matlala alleges Cele asked for a R6m house. Alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi Matlala told the Madlanga Commission that former police minister Bheki Cele asked him to buy a R6 million house in KwaZulu-Natal as a retirement home. Matlala said this was in exchange for help after a raid on his security company. He also claimed he handed Cele R200,000 in cash. He denied receiving a confidential SAPS audit report and denied any tip-off around Jerry Boshoga's 2024 abduction. Commissioners called parts of his evidence obstructive. The testimony led bulletins on 702, Cape Talk, SAfm, Power, 947, Kaya and SMWX. Next, Tatjana Smith switches to the Netherlands. South Africa's most decorated Olympian, Tatjana Smith, will compete for the Netherlands. 947 reported this includes the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. On Cape Talk, Smith cited greater high-performance support. Her move comes after a legal dispute with Swimming South Africa over more than half a million rand in withheld prize money. Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie called it a personal choice that should not become a political weapon, stressing that federations are independent. Power FM highlighted athlete contributions of up to R55,000 for national selection. Debate ran across 702, SAfm, 947, Kaya and Power. Elsewhere, Hung councils and Joburg coalition stand-offs. COGTA said 138 municipalities, about 65% of councils, produced no outright majority. It issued coalition guidelines, including a template agreement. SAfm reported that President Ramaphosa told the ANC's National Working Committee to avoid the DA in Johannesburg, while some members want to move away from the DA entirely. ActionSA's Herman Mashaba wrote that his party would work with the DA only if Helen Zille is not the mayoral candidate. Zille also refused Julius Malema's demand for an apology over her eNCA remarks. The story ran on SAfm, Cape Talk, 702, 947, Power and BizNews. Next, Unemployment climbs to 33. 7%. Stats SA's third-quarter labour force survey dominated morning shows. It showed 97,000 more people unemployed, pushing the total to 8. 6 million and the rate to 33. 7%, even though the economy added 101,000 jobs. Power FM's breakfast unpacked the numbers with UCT labour economist Prof Vimal Ranchhod. Cape Talk focused on domestic workers, citing 31,000 jobs lost in the quarter, the sector's lowest level since COVID-19. Power FM later noted the North West has the highest provincial rate, at about 38%. And finally, Mapisa-Nqakula completes her testimony. Former Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula returned to the Pretoria High Court after a month-long pause. A warrant had been issued for her arrest when she failed to appear in October, citing ill health. She faces corruption and money laundering charges over allegedly soliciting R4. 5 million from a defence force contractor while she was defence minister. She testified that she had no need to disguise payments for her house renovations because she could afford them, which the state rejected. She has finished testifying and returns on Friday. The trial featured on 702, 947, Power and Cape Talk. That's your locl briefing for Thursday, 12 November 2026. For the full archive — and to search every word said on South African radio and podcasts — visit locl. co. za. Thanks for listening.