The moments worth hearing, as they happen.

Teacher accused of raping girl, 9, says she was coached and wasn't at school

A suspended 59-year-old Soweto teacher told the Pretoria Magistrates Court he will plead not guilty to raping a nine-year-old in a school toilet.

“On to this now, the Soyuz school teacher accused of sexually assaulting a nine-year-old child intends to plead not guilty. The 59-year-old made”

Debt advisor warns of scams hijacking debt review payments

A National Debt Advisors head says people are placed on debt review unknowingly and tricked into redirecting payments to scammers' accounts.

“Let's speak to Sebastian Alexanderson, the head of National Debt Advisors. Thank you so much for your time on Cayapas this evening.”

Pillay recalls magistrate who put his feet on the desk

Nobel laureate Navi Pillay recalls the humiliation she faced as a young Durban lawyer in apartheid courtrooms.

“When I walked in as a lawyer into the magistrate's office in Durban, for instance, what you saw were the soles of his shoes because he would have both feet on the desk, he wouldn't take them off.”

Navi Pillay: US and Russia are undermining the ICC and its staff

Nobel laureate Navi Pillay says US sanctions and Russian threats are crippling the ICC, cutting staff off from banks and IT services.

“See our judgments quoted everywhere. Lovely. So, international criminal justice seems to be under considerable threat, including by US sanctions being launched against the ICC and its judges.”

IEC opens case over 10 missing special-vote ballots in Eastern Cape

The IEC says 10 ballots from home visits went missing; a case is opened against the presiding officer and police are investigating.

“The IEC in the Eastern Cape has opened a case against its presiding officer from Sikaya to local municipality for missing ballots.”

Also on 947 · Kaya 959

Supporters of the Siyancuma Independent Forum stormed a Northern Cape voting station, destroying ballots; the IEC declared it a crime scene.

“We begin in the Northern Cape, where the counting of ballots has been disrupted after members of a local political party forced their way into a voting station in Douglas and tore ballots.”

Police: presiding officer left ballots in unlocked guardhouse before Hillcrest theft

A KZN police spokesperson explains how election materials were stolen from a Hillcrest school guardhouse and what protocol breaches are being probed.

“What happened is that a presiding officer of the III”

Nigeria's biggest meth lab bust: two tons, $360m, Mexicans arrested

A DW Africa Link reporter describes a May bust in Ogun State that netted over two tons of meth and ten arrests, including three Mexicans.

“We had what they described as the biggest meth lab.”

Eastern Cape police boost guard on ballot boxes after theft attempts

The Eastern Cape police commissioner details arrests for attempted ballot theft, poster defacing and impersonation, and tighter security on ballot boxes.

“We heard stories in the news about suspects who were arrested for allegedly trying to steal ballot papers in Torbo. Any other incidents like that one? Yeah, we had no, we did not have others who wanted to steal.”

ATM's Tzabalala: Joburg is unsafe and even suburbs now lack services

An ATM candidate says crime in the CBD, drug dens and potholes show Johannesburg no longer works for its citizens, township or suburb.

“Joburg is said to be the world African-class city, and yet you can't even walk in Johannesburg CBD because it's not safe. I think that is telling, and it's the reality of our crisis in the city.”

Stolen ballots and stamp in Etiquini: IEC tells counters to check stamp code

A 702 reporter explains how unmarked ballots and a security stamp were stolen from a Ward 2 station, and how the IEC is guarding against misuse.

“And what happened were unmarked ballots, unused ballots were stolen, as well as a security stamp, which is a critical tool because this has a certain code that authorizes the ballot for today in the certain voting…”

Podcaster: Madlanga Commission shows consequences in real time

At a Durban TEDx salon, a podcaster says the commission exposed a compromised anti-corruption body and real-time consequences.

“But again, what I find refreshing about this commission is that we are seeing consequences in real time. And that is something that, as a country, we are not used to.”

Podcaster: crime and corruption make dictatorship look attractive to citizens

At a Durban TEDx salon, a podcaster argues the Madlanga Commission shows how a state without a monopoly on violence hollows out democracy.

“The democratic model presumes some core fundamental building blocks to exist, right? So if you read Why Nations Fail, or if you read, what's the name of that scholar who likes to speak about nation state building, it'll…”

Podcaster: ballistics clerk wiped a gun link to 30 cases, showing cartel reach

At a Durban TEDx salon, a podcaster recounts Madlanga Commission evidence of how a witness found ballistics results altered to hide gun links.

“What about you? What have been the moments that have stood out for you? I think for me, the first moment that really captivated me was when Witness B, and maybe even A to an extent, showed all the evidence that Catiso…”

Professor: political and criminal agendas have merged in SA assassinations

On Cape Talk, Professor Lisa Thompson says hired hitmen shield masterminds as local election killings are driven by tenders and patronage.

“Okay, so we are going to go to Professor Lisa Thompson right now. We're going to talk about South Africa's political assassination crisis. Prof, welcome. It's great to have you with us. Good morning. Lovely to be here.”

IEC chief: staff who tamper with election materials face arrest or removal

On 702 Breakfast, the IEC's head says fraud by officials will be investigated, with lesser offenders taken out of the system to protect credibility.

“No doubt you would have seen social media videos alleging that people had access to materials that they should not have had. Are you concerned about those reports?”

Forensic expert: women have always been in crime, now they join the violence

Security expert Chad Thomas says women have long featured in SA crime, citing Daisy de Melker, and now lead hijackings; he urges equal suspicion.

“You know, when it comes to crime, women have always played a major role. One of the most prolific and well-known serial killers in South Africa was none other than Daisy the Malka.”

Power FM caller: DA is racist, Khayelitsha suffers while suburbs are safe

On election day, a Power FM caller argues the DA neglects black townships like Khayelitsha and Gugulethu compared with white suburbs, and says its voters are gullible.

“Weak out, try by shooting. People are being killed left and right and center. That's the TA that's governing there. But you just suppose that you go to where white people live, this shows court.”

NPA explains why Agrizzi alone owes R1.66bn and how it was calculated

The NPA's spokesperson tells 702 the R1.66bn order against Angelo Agrizzi came from money Bosasa got from correctional services.

“You can never get enough of a good thing. 702 replay. Well, let's turn to this matter now. The former chief operating officer of the company, Bussasa Angelo Agrisi, has been ordered to pay the state more than 1.66…”

Kaya host lists social media posts that can land you in jail

A Kaya 959 host warns listeners that hiding grandparents' IDs, fake party videos and repeating slurs are illegal ahead of the elections.

“Have you ever seen those posts that say, let's hide our grandparents' IDs? Oh my gosh. That is a form of malicious behavior that has become normalized. Guys, it is illegal to do that.”

Father's son taken to Lesotho; lawyer cites Hague Convention route

A 702 caller says his five-year-old was taken to Lesotho without a passport; a legal guest explains Hague Convention options and urges quick action.

“Agreement. I'd love to take those calls. 011-883-0702. Yeah. It's always a big issue. In fact, I think the next call is going to illustrate that. Plikees is in Riddapur. Hi, Plikes.”

Nat Joints: no excuses for political violence after KZN party leader killed

Nat Joints told a pre-election briefing the killing of a KZN party regional leader is being investigated and warned parties against violence and intimidation.

“Of particular concern is the killing of Uncon Doeswe, party regional leader in KZN. We are confident that the investigating team will pursue available lead to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.”

Spanish goalkeeper faces manslaughter case after player's on-pitch death

On Top Sport, a listener defends a goalkeeper after a clash that killed a striker, and the host explains Spain's automatic manslaughter rule.

“I don't think they're treating the goalkeeper very fairly as we hear the news that they want to charge him for human.”

Why photographing your ballot is a crime, even under duress

A legal guest on Power FM explains the secret-ballot rule, vote-buying risks, and that party coercion should be reported to the IEC.

“Now, what you have to remember is that when we want our elections to be by secret ballot, we're doing that to avoid intimidation and undue influence.”

Journalist: ministerial committee ran parallel lottery process, picked Sizekaya

News24's Azarra Karim explains the court ruling on the lottery licence and how a ministerial committee overrode two panels that ranked other bidders higher.

“They are challenging the transparency and legality of the process following investigative reports linking a relative of Deputy President Paul Mashatile's wife to shares in Sezakaya.”

MK supporters storm KZN IEC warehouse, hold officials hostage

SAfm reports an Mpumalanga candidate was arrested for damaging election materials, and MK supporters stormed a KZN IEC warehouse and held officials.

“In KwaZulu, Natal, supporters of McControza Party stormed the Dasan Hook Library satellite warehouse.”

Durban runner strays into Parliament precinct, spends two nights in cells

A Durban businessman jogging in Cape Town allegedly ran through an open gate into Parliament's precinct and was jailed, and may now file charges.

“For those who missed it, I was commenting at the beginning of the show on this poor guy from Durban who was in Cape Town last week on a business trip, decided to go for a run before he had headed.”

PR candidate arrested for trying to steal IEC election boxes

A PR candidate in Dr AB Xuma municipality was arrested after allegedly trying to collect election material from Nobo police station by posing as sent by presiding officers.

“AB Xuma municipality has been arrested for allegedly attempting to steal election material from the Nobo police station.”

Callers clash over whether South Africa's Israel case is genocide principle or US punishment

On Power FM, callers argue whether US punishment relates to South Africa's ICJ case against Israel, with one citing Amnesty and the ICJ.

“We went for Israel based on principle. We did go for America. No, no, we went for Israel based on the”

Guest: Mkhwanazi unqualified for Hawks, tied to political killings team

On Power FM, a guest argues against appointing General Mkhwanazi to head the Hawks, citing his record and pending Madlanga Commission findings.

“Please tell me that this is fake news, that this is not real. You feel very strongly about this. What prompted you to take this step?”

Callers: lottery ruling has no penalty, so ministers can keep fiddling

Power FM callers argue the court ruling on the national lottery licence carries no sanction, so operators profit before any judgment lands.

“Going to take at least a year or two to run between where this will award and where the court makes a decision would have made billions of friends.”

Nairobi once a refuge, now an abduction hub for regional dissidents

A journalist says a Tanzanian activist's abduction near Nairobi reflects a trend of Kenya helping neighbours forcibly return opposition figures.

“Political dissidents to be returned to them from the US. So a very murky arrangement. And meanwhile, the deportees are detained.”

Agrizzi: if I'd had R1.6bn I'd be in the Maldives, not on the phone

Former Bosasa CEO Angelo Agrizzi says the R1.6bn order reflects Bosasa's contract turnover, not money he personally received.

“The state over 1.6 billion rand following his corruption conviction. Speaking to our senior producer Ronald Perry, Agritzi argues the multi-billion rand figure represents Busasa's total correctional services contract…”

Impersonated in Nairobi: armed police at her gate over a poisoning

On Cape Talk's science show, Christine Johannes recalls how an impersonator in 2018 led Nairobi police to arrest and interrogate her over a diplomat's poisoning.

“Somebody apparently impersonated me, and the local police in Nairobi were hunting me down for like two weeks. And I thought it was like a phone fraud, right? Like, so I can't.”

702 host: media wrongly reported mob victim dead, we must apologise

On 702, Aubrey Masango says media wrongly reported the first mob-attack victim had died, though a second man was later killed.

“Say that media houses ran with a story that they didn't verify. And that is the story of the man who was purported to have been killed by the mob on the 21st of October. Yes. The Ugandan man. Right?”

Phala Phala theft convictions raise questions on impeachment delay

A Power FM host says a Modimolle court linked two accused to the theft of $580,000 at Ramaphosa's farm, while a third was acquitted.

“Doesn't go away. It needs to be attended to. If you've been following the Modimolle Regional Court today in Limpopo, and the magistrate Petaman Tata, he says the cell phone records provided sufficient evidence linking…”

Laughter on air

ATM's candidate: courts post-2018 shield the president from accountability

On SMWX, the ATM's mayoral candidate says courts once told the executive to answer in Parliament, and that the Ramaphosa interdict now stalls impeachment.

“Long term when it comes to once you don't insource people and you build the capacity within the municipality, there's other issues that will emanate from there.”

Robert Marawa: SABC colleague and son caught in Ellis Park gate chaos

Robert Marawa describes an SABC colleague and her son being shut out, crushed and pepper-sprayed at a derby, and police refusing to open a case.

“That's literally what caused a lot of the incidents at Ellis Park on that day. And I see Umil Indim Joli on the YouTube channel saying that to the JMPD as well as the Amapanyaza, they failed the fans.”

Binance repays 95% of hack as European supermarkets' freezers hit

Binance says it has made good 95% of a $6.3bn hack, while suspected cyber attacks hit supermarkets' cold chains across Europe.

“The big hack of Binance. Remember, $6.6 billion, $6.3 billion hacked through one laptop in 20 minutes or so. Binance today saying it had made good 95% of that amount.”

Hosts: Khan-Johnson docket leak shows how they thought they could play the system

Corder Report hosts discuss Madlanga Commission testimony that Khan received Brigadier Petle's complaint materials from a Gmail linked to Andrea Johnson.

“And a retired hawks investigator called Kurbus Rulosa told the Madlanga Commission that Khan allegedly received Brigadier Petle's statement, medical report, and audio recording before submitting his version of events…”

Navi Pillay: how Rwanda tribunal defined rape as genocide

Nobel laureate Navi Pillay recounts how the Rwanda tribunal ruled rape a form of genocide and created a gender-neutral definition.

“I want to ask you about what I think may have arguably been your most significant achievement at that tribunal, which was having rape declared a form of genocide.”

Navi Pillay's first case: client chose conviction over a technical acquittal

Nobel laureate Navi Pillay recalls a Zululand farmer charged over cattle dipping who refused a technical defence and took the conviction.

“Now, I haven't mentioned this before, but just allow me to repeat one of my first cases. And remember, I was just 22 with no experience straight out of university.”

Bolsonaro vanishes, resurfaces in Miami after secret flight via Argentina

A Cape Talk correspondent says the Brazilian ex-president, barred from leaving, crossed into Argentina and flew to Miami with his family.

“He was deemed a flight risk while he was being investigated for money laundering.”

Thai lawyer jailed 34 years for questioning the monarchy, dressed as Harry Potter

A Cape Talk host describes human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa's latest conviction under Thailand's lese-majeste law, bringing his sentences to 34 years.

“He's 42 years of age, but he's been found guilty 14 times of 14 crimes, always the same crime, and jailed for a total of 34 years.”

IEC warns parties: party tables outside voting stations are not official checkpoints

KwaZulu-Natal's electoral officer says party tables only track voters, and drinking or harassment outside stations will be dealt with by police.

“Now, on the political front, Guaz Natal Electoral Commission has warned parties that are going to be camping outside voting stations not to harass voters.”

Cape Town: Langa taxi association suspension won't hit commuters

The City of Cape Town says suspending the Langa intertownship taxi association for six months won't affect commuters or licensed operators.

“On Friday, the Provincial Taxi Registrar suspended the association's registration for six months following an inquiry into unlawful operations in Epping.”

AI-generated child abuse images jumped from 13 to 3,500 in a year

Cyber expert Anna Collard tells Cape Talk perpetrators use AI and scraped photos to create abuse material and extort children.

“About, you know, or 2024, sorry, you had about 13 images that were AI created and used for category A, like this is the most extreme classification of child sexual abuse. So it's really the most horrific stuff.”

Court rules Home Affairs must register births of undocumented parents' children

The Western Cape High Court ruled children's births must be registered regardless of parents' documents; Home Affairs says citizenship still follows descent.

“Not only for children who are born to undocumented migrants or asylum seekers, but often for children who are adopted informally.”