Morning edition

1. 01

   Ramaphosa objects to impeachment evidence leader, committee stalls

   Parliament's Section 89 impeachment committee was forced to defer signing off on advocate Tandazani Matonsela as its evidence leader after a late-night letter from President Ramaphosa objected to the nomination. Ramaphosa argues Matonsela is conflicted because he removed him from the Judicial Service Commission in 2022 and because Matonsela has provided legal advice to the ANC on the impeachment. 702, SAfm, Cape Talk and Power all led bulletins with the delay, with MK and opposition parties pushing back and parties given more time to consider draft terms of reference.

   Heard on 702 · 15:02 SASTAsk locl about this ↗: Ramaphosa objects to impeachment evidence leader, committee stalls, heard on 702
2. 02

   Fadiel Adams grilled at the Madlanga Commission

   Suspended NCC MP Fadiel Adams spent the day in the hot seat at the Madlanga Commission in Pretoria, where retired Justice Madlanga rejected his postponement bid and commissioners poked holes in his explanations for a late affidavit. Adams denied Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi's claim that he illegally accessed classified crime intelligence documents, conceded making copies, and warned the country risks becoming a criminal state. A recording of his meeting with IDAC prosecutor Trushanta Ramsami loomed over proceedings. Cape Talk, 702, SAfm and Power all tracked the cross-examination closely.

   Heard on 702 · 03:04 SASTAsk locl about this ↗: Fadiel Adams grilled at the Madlanga Commission, heard on 702
3. 03

   CPUT eviction deadline and student protest fallout

   The Cape Peninsula University of Technology gave residence students until 4pm to vacate all campuses after days of violent protest over its 2027 financial recovery plan, with damages topping R1 million and a building torched. Students defied the deadline with a sit-in at Bellville before the university later declared the emergency evacuation a success. The recovery plan has been revoked pending consultation, but a 20-point memorandum — including calls for the VC and CFO to step down and for NSFAS transcripts to be released — remains on the table. Cape Talk and 702 ran it hard all day.

   Heard on 702 · 02:05 SASTAsk locl about this ↗: CPUT eviction deadline and student protest fallout, heard on 702
4. 04

   Inflation surprises to the downside as fuel and food ease

   Stats SA's July CPI print gave business desks a rare good-news story, with headline inflation slowing to 4.3% from 5% in June — the first decline in five months — and food inflation at its lowest in more than 16 years. 702 spoke to Stats SA's Kelly on the drivers, while Power Business unpacked what it means for interest rates, consumer spending and fixed investment with Momentum economist Tsiamo Masike. Government cautioned that electricity, water and insurance costs still weigh on households, and retail sales data showed consumers turning more frugal.

   Heard on 702 · 12:56 SASTAsk locl about this ↗: Inflation surprises to the downside as fuel and food ease, heard on 702
5. 05

   Local government election countdown and ANC slide below 50%

   With the 4 November municipal elections looming, Power FM devoted extended airtime to a Social Research Foundation poll showing ANC support has dropped below 50% in every core constituency, falling to 39% among rural voters. BizNews unpacked the numbers, while the DA's Werner de Villiers told Power the party is chasing 50%-plus in Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and Nelson Mandela Bay, warning voters that anything less risks another ANC-led coalition. Analysts flagged fractured mandates and fragile coalitions as the defining risk of the vote.

   Heard on Power FM · 21:29 SASTAsk locl about this ↗: Local government election countdown and ANC slide below 50%, heard on Power FM