The moments worth hearing, as they happen.

Casper armoured vehicle's name is an anagram of SAP and CSIR

The Corder Report hosts explain Casper stands for the police and the CSIR, and the Kentridge artwork 'Casper's Full of Love' mocks apartheid-era radio greetings.

“Casper, the vehicle. Yes, the military vehicle used by the apartheid state to crush dissent and fight other countries at our border.”

Trump says he'd launch Iran war again; Vance lists four reasons for GOP loss

After Republican midterm losses, Trump says he would repeat the Iran war, while JD Vance blames the war, costs and Israel ties, a 702 host relays.

“The war in Iran. Well, I think it's largely true because it drove the gasoline up a little bit short term, and probably that's probably true.”

Crowd moment

Novel imagines wartime friendship between a South African soldier and a German ace

Author Stephen Simon tells Cape Talk how his debut novel grew from the true bond between Matthias Letulu and Hans-Joachim Marseille.

“I read Stephen Simon's debut novel. Stephen is an acclaimed poet, one somebody whose poetry I really enjoy reading, both to myself and out loud on the radio.”

Analyst: Russia will use Ukraine talks to demand NATO pullback

On 702, a guest says Putin has said Russia is ready for war with Europe and expects Ukraine talks to be used to demand a NATO drawdown.

“And when we look at the context of NATO, I do think that European nations are explicitly preparing for the possibility of potential conflict with Russia, at least by 2030. And when we look at the rolling back of NATO,”

Analyst: no evidence Lady R carried weapons, cargo was SANDF kit

On 702, an analyst says a 2023 report found no weapons were loaded on the Lady R, which was offloading equipment ordered for the SANDF in 2018.

“There was no evidence found that weapons were loaded onto the cargo ship. And explicitly, Lady R was actually offloading a shipment of military equipment for the SANDF.”

Zuma fired a photographer on a whisper he was a CIA spy, analyst says

A Power FM analyst recalls a Zuma-era aide barred from a Cape Town meeting after a rumour, likening it to today's MK Party firings.

“The chap went to Cape Town with Zuma. There was going to be a meeting there. And then when he got there, he was not told anything. He was just told that no, you can't be part of the meeting. Baba said it's not with men.”

Dodge City: a draft dodger's road trip with a car and goodbyes

A 702 book reviewer describes Patrick DeWitt's novel about Lee Clark, expelled and dodging the Vietnam draft by delivering a car to Canada.

“So he decides to dodge the draft and he wants to go to Canada, but he doesn't have any money. So he takes.”

Germiston residents: illegal miners' shootouts last five hours, army only comes for a day

A Primrose community policing forum chair says Zama Zama turf wars send bullets into homes, and wants the army deployed for three months.

“We've touched on this before, but a Germiston, well, certainly community leaders believe there's illegal mining by Zama Zamas are threatening the safety of residents and the peace.”

MPs furious Ramaphosa told Parliament late about 510 soldiers in KZN

Parliament's joint standing committee criticised a letter sent on 21 October for soldiers deployed in early October; the minister cited urgency.

“So more than 500 soldiers were rushed into KwaZulu-Natal within hours of an emergency request with the government fearing violent protests could spread across South Africa.”

Ex-IDAC boss Andrea Johnson and Feroz Khan arrested over leaked docket

Former IDAC head Andrea Johnson and dismissed crime intelligence deputy Feroz Khan were arrested for allegedly defeating the ends of justice.

“Corruption boss Andrea Johnson and dismissed crime intelligence deputy Feroz Khan. They've been arrested for allegedly defeating the ends of justice. Karinda Jagmahan, EWN reporter is on this story. What happened?”

Also on Power FM

Project Maibuye: SSA 'turned' EFF members into agents with R12m

News24's Kaya Gogo tells Power FM a state witness says SSA operatives targeted the EFF ahead of the 2015 SONA, drawing R12 million.

“So, an intriguing case that's been in our courts here that's unfolding, that is where it has emerged that the economic freedom fighters were targeted in a state security agency operation, despite there being nothing to…”

Guest named in 'SOU' plot against SARS despite never being a member

A guest tells 702 a witness named him among a Special Operations Unit working against SARS, though he was never in the SOU or SSA.

“And he actually named three people as being part of the so-called SOU, Special Operations Unit that was being worked against SARS. And it was Ferdy Fryer, George Zamonovich, and myself that he actually named.”

Chemical weapons chief Bassam al-Hassan shielded in Lebanon by US, sources say

A Cape Talk documentary says Syrian officials want Bassam returned for trial, but sources claim US agencies offered him residency and protection.

“First, officials in two parts of Syria's new government tell us that they want Bassam returned to stand trial, but they say the Americans want him kept in Lebanon, and there's little they can do about that.”

Israeli filmmakers: 'collateral damage' became a tool to normalise killing civilians

Israeli filmmakers behind the documentary NASA describe how soldiers said AI-based systems and collateral damage numbers were used in Gaza.

“And we are showing in the film the way in which the Israeli military relied on these AI-based systems, knowing that they had an error rate. So it was a statistical kind of approach.”

Analyst: Netanyahu may push Trump into new Iran war after US midterms

On 702, a guest says Netanyahu may use post-midterm coalition talks to press Trump for another attack on Iran, risking stronger retaliation.

“And so it's quite likely, and many analysts are saying this: that immediately after the American midterm elections, while the coalition talks are happening in Israel, that Netanyahu will convince Donald Trump to launch…”

Analyst: ANC and spies fused, then used to disrupt a rival party

A Power FM analyst says the ANC saw a breakaway party as a threat and used its security department with state security elements to infiltrate it.

“And obviously, the ANC saw this as a threat, this party as a threat, this breakaway. And there was a decision taken by some high-ups in the ANC and then there was a use of the ANC's security department who then…”

Hosts joke over Mr Zuma's chinos and square toes at anti-migrant march

Power FM hosts discuss the army deployment in KZN and a viral video of Mr Zuma, husband of Jacinta, walking to police in the rain.

“And now, the march and march leader has told the marchers that the president wants to kill them to stop them from protesting there. Yeah, guys, I mean, some of the marches have been violent.”

Laughter on air

Analyst: Netanyahu running on fear as Israelis tire of Iran war

A Power FM analyst says Netanyahu is losing support, citing a report that the IDF chief refused an attack order before Israel's election.

“Some people are saying that, you know, should Netanyahu lose these elections, the situation between the US and Iran would change because he's the biggest influencer of Trump.”

Journalist: ANC feared prosecutions, so apartheid generals escaped trial

Journalist Jacques Pauw says the new government resisted prosecutions of apartheid security chiefs, and only Adriaan Vlok was convicted, via a plea deal.

“Those generals, their instructions. So, what is the significance of what he's saying and what ought to happen next?”

Analyst: Iran naval drill blame looks like political backside-covering

A Cape Talk guest doubts the Defence Force disobeyed an order over Iran's role in the naval exercise, saying a court-martial should be quick.

“Why don't we have, at the very least, we've considered the report and we are sanctioning various members of the defense force that disobeyed instructions?”

De Kock names apartheid chain of command, says ANC probe never asked him

Eugene de Kock told the Khampepe Commission that police and security chiefs and ministers knew of hits, and Mbeki-era investigators never questioned him.

“1993, six months before the advent of real democracy in South Africa with the election in April 1994, with CODESA negotiations going on, and and that's his allegation. That is fully, fully his allegation.”

De Kock tells Zondo-style inquiry he could have exposed who gave death squad orders

At the Commission of Inquiry, Eugene de Kock detailed how he could have helped expose those giving orders to death squads from the very top.

“He detailed how he could and would have helped to expose who was giving the orders to death squads from the very top. On the 1st of October 1997, I made an appetizer to and gave evidence at the TRC.”

Israeli diplomat won't say if Israel has nuclear weapons; host cites IAEA

On 702, Clement Manyathela presses Israel's deputy mission head on nuclear ambiguity and the IAEA's findings on Iran.

“And that is one thing that the Iranians have signed on, and that is something that Israel is not a part of.”

Host confronts Israeli diplomat with Netanyahu's own claims on Iran threat

On 702, Clement Manyathela tells Israel's Feder that Netanyahu declared Iran's existential threat removed; Feder says Iran is rebuilding.

“And again, regarding Iran, what we can say is that the threat has been weakened substantially in the last two confrontations.”

Israeli diplomat says defence minister's quote was manipulated by media

Pressed on cabinet rhetoric about Gaza, Israeli deputy mission head Feder says news agencies clip quotes like 'by any means necessary'.

“On what I was saying earlier, I wanted to give you an opportunity before we move on to other issues, just an opportunity to comment on what some of the members of the Israeli government are saying.”

Caller on pension with rooster named Master: don't wish to be a zebra

A 702 caller vents about soldier deployments and a 1996 application still unanswered, then tells of a pet rooster named Master.

“On the breakfast show, on the morning show. People will always say the South African government is forever reactive instead of being proactive.”

Laughter on air

Latin American volunteer fights in Ukraine partly to write poetry

A DW podcast tells of Condor, a former EMT from Latin America who joined Ukraine's army, saying it was not about money.

“That is a considerable amount of money for many people in Latin America. A retired soldier in Colombia, for example, earns roughly 400 US dollars a month.”

De Kock: ministers visited Vlakplaas and signed off bombings

Eugene de Kock told the TRC cases inquiry that apartheid politicians knew of Vlakplaas and ordered bombings of ANC, Cosatu and church offices.

“Decock was testifying earlier today at the TRC cases inquiry, telling the commission that some of the politicians even visited Vlakplaas. He says he was the only link between the generals and politicians, including the”

Ramaphosa deploys 510 soldiers to KZN until 30 November after protests

Ramaphosa told Parliament 510 SANDF members will deploy to KwaZulu-Natal in support of Operation Prosper after anti-immigration protest violence.

“Their deployment is until the 30th of November and is in support of Operation PROSPER, which is an ongoing joint security operation in different provinces.”

Nigerian veterans say pension rises left retirees behind

A DW correspondent explains Nigerian military pensioners protest that salary increases of 30 to 80 percent are not reaching them correctly.

“Because the government has also increased what they call salaries for the military personnel. It is taken that once salaries are increased, it's supposed to permeate down to those who have retired.”

Analyst: without Madlanga, SA would be a cartel mafia state

Political analyst Mpho Mbalazi tells BizNews Radio that cartel-linked figures were poised for top posts before the Madlanga Commission intervened.

“Now, if the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry did not happen, we would have seen Special Leave Minister Senso Machunu, possibly as the next president of the African National Congress.”

Defence analyst: SANDF still runs on 1980s software and Gmail

A defence analyst tells Cape Talk South Africa's military spending has collapsed since 1989 and that the SANDF needs a defined mission and modern communications.

“Ricardo Teixeira is a defense analyst, joins us now. Ricardo, good evening. Firstly, are those numbers legit? I mean, were we really spending over 6 billion rand on research and development in the defense sector in 1989?”

Caller: Durban unrest costs R1.5m a day in police and soldiers

A Power FM caller says deploying police and soldiers from other provinces to Durban costs taxpayers R1.5 million daily and drains resources.

“The costing UNI taxpayer per day, I think is 1.5 million rand to deploy those police officers and soldiers. We draw resources from other provinces, Limpopo, Northwest, even Western Cape.”

Syrian doctor recalls treating Austin Tice for a virus in custody

A Damascus doctor tells the podcast he examined Austin Tice at a general's request and found no torture signs; Tice asked for something to read.

“Do you remember the first time you heard about Austin Tice? During that time, it was basically a time of protest and a time of unrest. The emergency services used to receive around 2,000 people a day.”

Syrian interrogator says Austin Tice escaped using soap and a towel

A former Syrian intelligence officer tells the BBC/NPR podcast he gave Austin Tice soap and a towel, and Tice escaped the next day.

“Which was one of the top aides of Bashar al-Assad. He told me, I want you to come to my office. They caught an American journalist and there were suspicions about the real nature of this guy.”

Guest: Pagad playbook of infiltrate and dismantle could stop today's bad actors

A guest on 702 says intelligence tradecraft that broke Qibla and Pagad could be used against groups inciting violence and looting in South Africa.

“The Republic, that would have fallen within the mandate of the intelligence community to deal with in the way that you described to infiltrate, dismantle, da-da-da-da. I can't remember what the words that you use.”

Guest: Zama Zama gold cash may fund Lesotho politics, arming SA turf wars

A guest on 702 says unconfirmed reports link illegal gold mining money to Lesotho politics and Lesotho weapons to turf fights, arguing for intelligence.

“There's unconfirmed rumors that result in nationals who are involved in the Zama Zamas have.”

Spy 'grabbers' meant for syndicates were rented out and used on ANC delegates

A guest on 702 says SSA and SAPS interception equipment was misused, including at an ANC elective conference to spy on members' voting.

“Those syndicates with the ultimate aim of dismantling those syndicates. We saw these units within SAPS as well as within SSA getting equipment such as grabbers, and that equipment was very important because you'd be…”

Ex-SSA insider: naming him in spy unit shows scale of disinformation

A guest on 702 says he was falsely named as a member of an SSA special operations unit, then explains secret cash and the planned split of SSA.

“Full disclosure, during the time of the SARS Rogue Unit narrative, there was also a narrative about a so-called SAU special operations unit within the state intelligence apparatus.”

Kasrils recalls Pikoli-Selebi clash, doubts minister gave stop order

At the TRC cases inquiry, Ronnie Kasrils disputed Vusi Pikoli's claim that a minister ordered a halt to an investigation.

“Former Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils has challenged the account of former NPA boss Vusi Pikoli of an alleged order to halt an investigation into apartheid error crimes.”

Also on Power FM

News24's du Toit: Dlomo trial opens window on Zuma-era SSA capture

News24's Peter du Toit explains why the trial of ex-SSA unit head Tulani Dlomo matters for understanding state capture-era intelligence abuse.

“It is one of the most significant state capture-related cases we've had and seen thus far. Tulani Glomore was head of a special operations unit at the State Security Agency during the time of Jacob Zuma's presidency.”

Kasrils at TRC inquiry denies everything, citing poor memory and no diary

EWN reports the 87-year-old former defence minister denied joining meetings to shield apartheid-era suspects from prosecution at the TRC inquiry.

“Now, the former Defense Minister Ronnie Kasrils, who at 87 years old is evidently struggling to remember some of the details of what happened. At least that's what he's saying.”

Media lawyer: classified intelligence must be justified on its content, not label

Advocate Ben Winks argued at the Madlanga Commission that secrecy over Sifolo's evidence needs cogent grounds, not just a classification decision.

“Earlier, advocate Ben Winks, who represents arguments on behalf of media organizations opposing the application, argued against restricting public access to the proceedings. He had this to say, certainly not, Chair.”

Ex-crime intelligence officer: Mfazi was murdered, buried under COVID lie

Former SAPS crime intelligence officer Pilosander Dotieni tells 702 the late deputy national commissioner's death was not natural, citing forensic evidence.

“Speak about this case. And we've asked him to join us now as well. Princessande, good afternoon to you, and thank you very much for your time today. Good afternoon, Mandy. And I hope you're well.”

Zelensky says US switched off Starshield warning as Trump backs Russia

A 702 world-view segment covers Zelensky's claim that the US cut Starshield missile warnings, Rubio's denial and Trump's remarks on Russia and Ukraine.

“That war in Ukraine remains a sore point with tensions now between Zelensky and his American counterpart. Yeah, they've surfaced again, although perhaps they've gone away a little bit overnight.”

DA MP blames ANC's 'Cuban obsession' as arms firm turnover falls 82%

On Power FM, a DA MP says the ANC must be held accountable for the Cuba defence projects, citing the damage to the local arms industry.

“DA has repeatedly criticized this project Tusano and Project Khala as expensive ideological vanity projects.”