locl
PricingSign inGet started
locl

Daily briefing

Wednesday, 26 August 2026

The day across South African radio, cited to the broadcast minute.

locl.co.za / briefing / 2026-08-26

Daily briefing

Wednesday, 26 August 2026

The day across South African radio, cited to the broadcast minute.

Afternoon edition

Afternoon editionCovers Wed, 26 Aug 05:00 → 15:30 SAST

Afternoon edition · 5-minute listen

Wednesday's talk radio was dominated by the Madlanga Commission, where alleged crime kingpin Vusumuzi 'Cat' Matlala's WhatsApp trail with a former KZN Hawks head unravelled in real time across every major station. Parliament's motion of no confidence in Speaker Thoko Didiza, a record cocaine bust at OR Tambo and a deadly Knysna shootout jostled for airtime, while stations paused throughout the day to mourn Dolly Parton.

  1. Matlala's WhatsApp trail exposes Hawks ties at Madlanga Commission

    The Madlanga Commission dominated coverage across Power FM, SAfm, 702 and Cape Talk, with alleged crime kingpin Vusumuzi 'Cat' Matlala pressed on his relationship with former KZN Hawks head Major General Lesija Sinona. WhatsApp messages presented to the commission suggested the two were far closer than Sinona previously claimed, and Matlala confirmed Sinona handed him R20,000 in December 2024 after police raided his home. He again invoked his right against self-incrimination on questions tied to the cancelled Medicare 24 SAPS healthcare tender and a meeting with KZN Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

    Heard on Power FM · 12:02 SASTAsk locl about this: Matlala's WhatsApp trail exposes Hawks ties at Madlanga Commission, heard on Power FM

  2. Didiza survives EFF motion of no confidence as DA breaks ranks

    The EFF-sponsored motion of no confidence against National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza headlined political coverage on 702, Cape Talk, SAfm and Power FM. The motion stemmed from Didiza's June decision not to oppose President Ramaphosa's high court bid to halt the Section 89 impeachment proceedings against him. The ANC firmly opposed the motion, and crucially the DA — despite sharp criticism of Didiza — announced it would not support removal, calling it too drastic. Parliamentary leader George Michalakis said the Speaker deserved the chance to set things right, effectively sealing the motion's fate.

    Heard on 702 · 15:04 SASTAsk locl about this: Didiza survives EFF motion of no confidence as DA breaks ranks, heard on 702

  3. R200m cocaine bust at OR Tambo

    Stations led news bulletins with a major interception at OR Tambo International Airport, where police and customs officials seized a combined 334 kilograms of suspected cocaine worth more than R200 million from a flight from São Paulo. The drugs were concealed in two suitcases and four cargo boxes linked to the same flight, and no arrests had been made by broadcast time. Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili commended the multidisciplinary team, framing the bust as evidence of vigilance against syndicates using South Africa as a transit hub. Separate raids in Cape Town also netted Mandrax, crystal meth and cocaine.

    Heard on Power FM · 09:31 SASTAsk locl about this: R200m cocaine bust at OR Tambo, heard on Power FM

  4. Knysna shootout kills police captain probing councillor's murder

    Cape Talk, SAfm and 702 tracked the death of a Western Cape tactical response team captain who was gunned down in an early-morning shootout at the Sizamele informal settlement in Knysna. He had been investigating the killing of former Knysna mayor and ANC ward councillor Aubrey Tsengwa. A 38-year-old suspect was also killed and two firearms recovered. Provincial commissioner Thembisile Patekile said investigations were at a crucial stage, while police union POPCRU's Western Cape secretary Mluleki Kimbili said the incident underscored the need for stronger intelligence and operational support for officers confronting illegal firearms.

    Heard on Cape Talk · 15:04 SASTAsk locl about this: Knysna shootout kills police captain probing councillor's murder, heard on Cape Talk

  5. Talk radio mourns Dolly Parton

    The death of country music icon Dolly Parton at 80 threaded through the day's lifestyle coverage on Cape Talk, 702, SAfm and Power FM, with presenters interrupting bulletins to play her catalogue and share memories. Her team confirmed she had died after a brief battle with cancer, ending a nearly six-decade career that produced Jolene, 9 to 5 and I Will Always Love You, and yielded sales of more than 100 million records. Hosts unpacked the song she originally wrote as a farewell before Whitney Houston made it globally famous, and remembered her philanthropy through the Imagination Library.

    Heard on Cape Talk · 05:51 SASTAsk locl about this: Talk radio mourns Dolly Parton, heard on Cape Talk

Morning edition

Morning editionCovers Tue, 25 Aug 05:00 → Wed, 26 Aug 05:00 SAST

Morning edition · 5-minute listen

Tuesday's talk radio was dominated by the Madlanga Commission, where alleged crime boss Vusimuzi Matlala's testimony about his links to the late taxi boss Jotham Msibi and businessman Hangwani Maumela ran across almost every news bulletin. Johannesburg's fiscal crisis and a fresh legal fight over the SRD grant gave the day a strong governance flavour, while the death of Dolly Parton and Rassie Erasmus confirming Siya Kolisi's return added lighter and sporting notes.

  1. Matlala testimony grips the Madlanga Commission

    The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry dominated news bulletins across Power FM, SAfm, 702 and Cape Talk as attempted-murder accused Vusimuzi Matlala was pressed on his ties to late taxi boss Jotham Msibi and controversial businessman Hangwani Maumela. Matlala confirmed introducing Maumela to Msibi, whom he was already providing security services to, but claimed not to recall what millions of rand in bank transfers to Msibi were for. Evidence leaders produced WhatsApp messages and proof of payments up to R3 million, while retired Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga questioned the limits of Matlala's claim of privilege against self-incrimination.

    Heard on 702 · 00:02 SASTAsk locl about this: Matlala testimony grips the Madlanga Commission, heard on 702

  2. Johannesburg's broken budget and the Mokhotsi escape plot

    Stations returned repeatedly to Johannesburg's deepening crisis. The Centre for Development and Enterprise's Joburg's Broken Budget report, unpacked on Cape Talk and 702, showed unpaid bills ballooning from R15 billion to nearly R72 billion over a decade, with debt servicing swallowing 40% of cash collected and infrastructure investment collapsing. Eskom kept up pressure on City Power over unpaid electricity debt. Running alongside was the drama at the Johannesburg Magistrates Court, where prosecutors alleged self-proclaimed political fixer Brown Mokhotsi had plotted to disguise himself as a correctional officer and walk out of the holding cells during his previous appearance.

    Heard on 702 · 20:02 SASTAsk locl about this: Johannesburg's broken budget and the Mokhotsi escape plot, heard on 702

  3. Government fights SRD grant ruling at the SCA

    The Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein heard government's challenge to a Pretoria High Court ruling that found key aspects of the R370 Social Relief of Distress grant unlawful for excluding millions of eligible applicants. Advocate Gilbert Marcus, for Treasury and Social Development, argued the desire to widen social assistance had to be weighed against fiscal constraints and that the SRD differs fundamentally from other social grants. SASSA's Advocate Harman von Eeden told the court continuous improvements were being made to access. The Institute for Economic Justice and #PayTheGrants are opposing the appeal.

    Heard on Power FM · 12:06 SASTAsk locl about this: Government fights SRD grant ruling at the SCA, heard on Power FM

  4. Kolisi returns as Boks brace for New Zealand rematch

    Rugby coverage across SAfm and 702 zeroed in on Rassie Erasmus confirming that Siya Kolisi is fit and will captain the Springboks at flank in Saturday's must-win second test against the All Blacks at DHL Stadium, with Paul de Villiers dropping out of the match-day 23. Kolisi missed the opener after a hamstring injury picked up trying to steal at the breakdown. The Boks are under pressure after New Zealand's 33-16 win at Ellis Park ended a 12-test unbeaten run, and Erasmus signalled a ferocious response is coming in Cape Town.

    Heard on SAfm · 17:38 SASTAsk locl about this: Kolisi returns as Boks brace for New Zealand rematch, heard on SAfm

  5. Dolly Parton's death sparks tributes on air

    News of country legend Dolly Parton's death at 80, after a brief battle with cancer at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, broke on evening bulletins and drew emotional tributes on 702 and Cape Talk. Presenters read her nephew and head of security's statement describing her as living in the light and being met in the heavens by Carl and her parents, and reflected on 49 studio albums, more than 100 compilations, and songs like Jolene and I Will Always Love You that crossed into global pop culture through Whitney Houston. Listeners were invited to phone in with memories of the singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist and businesswoman.

    Heard on 702 · 23:09 SASTAsk locl about this: Dolly Parton's death sparks tributes on air, heard on 702

Covering a beat? Start a free 7-day trial and get an email minutes after your topic, name, or brand next airs.