They’re called the AmaPanyaza. Meaning: Panyaza’s boys. These are the more than 6 000 anti-crime wardens appointed as a task force in the name of the premier of Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi, back in 2023. But Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka, just this October, found in a report that the establishment of the force was illegal and unconstitutional. She ordered the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), working with Panyaza’s administration, to retrain the force as traffic wardens specifically. But with the RTMC’s books squarely in the red, a massive training effort doesn’t look likely anytime soon. Investigative journalist, Khaya Koko, colours in the lines in this edition of The Lead. Finally, before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, there was the Harms Commission, with On This Day in SA History at the end of the show. You can send our host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer, a voice note with your questions or thoughts on the show: 072 562 3179. To advertise in the show: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube. The Lead is currently sponsored by 10X Investments.
Remember their names: Kallie Kriel, Rob Hersov, Elon Musk. These are just some of the collaborators News24 editor-in-chief Adriaan Basson argues played a part in backing US President Donald Trump’s lies about the Afrikaner experience in SA today. Basson, our guest on The Lead, believes Trump’s comments may come and go, but history will remember these collaborators. Later, in our trending topic, a Free State man walks 15km to save his four-legged best friend named “Option”. Finally, we consider the Koornhof family legacy with On This Day in SA History. You can send our host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer, a voice note with your questions or thoughts on the show: 072 562 3179. To advertise in the show: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.The Lead is currently sponsored by 10X Investments.
We lead today’s show with a News24 exclusive on news that the MK Party flew some of its members to Russia to train as bodyguards only for them to be deployed, apparently unknowingly, to the frontlines of a war. It now appears that former president Jacob Zuma wants them moved to a safe space. And, later in the show, how did an obscure northern Indian digital agency turn into a global fake news factory spouting all sorts of Sassa nonsense in SA? You’ll hear a lot more about these incredible stories from our top journalists, Ivan Pijoos and Andrew Thompson, next! Finally, Angola gained independence On This Day in SA History at the end of the show. But not before host Graeme Raubenheimer gives his ‘hot take’ on the Please Call Me compensation saga. You can send Raubenheimer, a voice note with your questions or thoughts on the show: 072 562 3179. To advertise in the show: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube. The Lead is currently sponsored by 10X Investments.
Just when you thought the Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala saga couldn’t get any more intriguing, it does. Today, specialist investigative journalist Jeff Wicks can reveal the notorious tender don secured a pretty affordable deal to rent a state clinic on the grounds of the Pretoria West Police Training Academy, a full six months before he landed a controversial R360-million health services tender with the SA Police Service. What foresight did the Cat possess? asks Wicks in our latest edition of The Lead. Later, in our trending topic, former president Jacob Zuma’s daughter Duduzile finally faces the music for allegedly inciting the July 2021 riots, but pleads not guilty. Finally, the Proteas returned to one-day international cricket with On This Day in SA History, our regular segment at the end of the show. You can send our host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer, a voice note with your questions or thoughts on the show: 072 562 3179. To advertise in the show: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube. The Lead is currently sponsored by 10X Investments.
From the Big Smoke to Slaapstad, there’s plenty to unpack politically this week. In Jozi, a temporary leadership vacuum ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit has coalition partners outraged. Meanwhile, in the Western Cape, the DA’s blue wave has swallowed up some senior ANC members left out in the cold. Stay tuned for The Lead’s discussions with News24 journos Alex Patrick and Siyamtanda Capa. Later, Mahatma Gandhi was arrested in Durban On This Day in SA History, a regular segment at the end of the show. Finally, host Graeme Raubenheimer gives his ‘hot take’ on Angelo Agrizzi’s plea and sentencing deal with the State. You can send our host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer, a voice note with your questions or thoughts on the show: 072 562 3179. To advertise in the show: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.
Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau’s dream of realising a massive voluntary fund to uplift small black businesses gets a reality check in this edition of The Lead. Specialist journalist Carol Paton tells us that Tau has revised this concept to include a key incentive for big business to help build the R100-billion chest. Later, in our trending topic, political silly season’s in full swing with a top Cape ANC man defecting to the DA. Finally, the Cullinan diamond was cut up, not for any South African’s benefit, in our regular On This Day in SA History segment at the end of the show. You can send our host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer, a voice note with your questions or thoughts on the show: 072 562 3179. To advertise in the show: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.
Democratic South Africa has had such lofty dreams of bullet trains for our now largely decrepit rail network. The Gautrain, though, stands as somewhat of a contemporary rail success story. And now, the high-speed service between OR Tambo International Airport and the capital, Pretoria, is approaching its final station in finding a new operator to run it. News24 business journalist William Brederode tells The Lead that the appointment process is heavily delayed. Later, in our trending topic, the site of the deadly George building collapse is going up for auction soon. Finally, a curious murder case grabbed national attention in 1970s apartheid SA, with On This Day in SA History, our regular segment. You can send our host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer, a voice note with your questions or thoughts on the show: 072 562 3179. To advertise in the show: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.
Once a registered South African company trades past R1 million, it is legally required to pay value-added tax (VAT). Tell that to two of the deputy president’s sons whose company they are linked to, Modipadi Nokaneng, now owes the SA Revenue Service (SARS) a cool R3 million. This is revealed by our investigative journalist, Kyle Cowan, who is live with The Lead in this edition for not one, but two stories. In our trending topic, and following the murders of top liquidators, the father-and-son duo of Cloete and Thomas Murray, Cowan tells us that Gauteng police have now conceded to restarting their probe into this curious case ... 960 days later! Finally, we recall Mzansi’s rich media ownership legacy with On This Day in SA History. You can send our host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer, a voice note with your questions or thoughts on the show: 072 562 3179. To advertise in the show: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.
The Springbok boys in green and gold go head-to-head with their old foes, the Japanese Cherry Blossoms this 1 November. Coach Rassie Erasmus has already named his squad for next month’s tour, with young Stormers breakout star Zachary Porthen tipped to make his debut. Taking stock post-Rugby Championship for The Lead is our News24 sport editor, Lloyd Burnard. Later, in our trending topic, Nicole McCain gives us the scoop on DJ Black Coffee’s R157 million Clifton villa, complete with cinema room. Finally, we recount Mzansi’s Boxing golden years with On This Day in SA History. Editor’s note: The Lead will resume normal programming Monday 3 November. You can send our host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer, a voice note with your questions or thoughts on the show: 072 562 3179. To advertise in the show: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.
On one hand, the ANC’s championing of broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) has certainly succeeded in putting money into black people’s hands, a majority race excluded from enjoying the fruits of our country’s economy for centuries. But BBBEE’s critics, on the other hand, claim that the wealth this contentious policy has generated has often landed in the laps of a small elite group with strong political ties. So, in apartheid’s shadow, what could potentially take BBBEE’s place? The ANC’s government of national unity partner, the DA, claims to have the answer. And the journalist covering the party’s latest proposal is Siyamtanda Capa, our guest in this edition of The Lead. Later, in our trending topic, the plot thickens, with our investigations team detailing evidence that slain auditor Mpho Mafole’s work was hindered from within the City of Ekurhuleni. Finally, revelations of a double agent shocked the nation in 2003 with “On This Day in SA History”. You can send our host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer, a voice note with your questions or thoughts on the show: 072 562 3179. To advertise in the show: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.
Hunted. What was slain auditor Mpho Mafole and his team probing from within the City of Ekurhuleni when he was gunned down in Kempton Park this year? Find out by listening to this edition of The Lead with our senior investigative journalist, Sikonathi Mantshantsha. Later, in our trending topic, the PA unseats the ANC in a startling Soweto by-election. And finally, SA’s got a rich rail legacy with On This Day in SA History. You can send our host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer, a voice note with your questions or thoughts on the show: 072 562 3179. Mail us: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.
He’s been itching to tell his side of the story. Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has been emphatic to Parliamentarians this Thursday that there was no sinister ulterior motive in disbanding the Political Killings Task Team and that the unit was under review for a long time. Catch the very latest from Mchunu’s evidence before MPs, with our senior parliamentary correspondent, Jan Gerber, in this edition of The Lead. Later, the road to Springbok glory was difficult, with our regular segment, “On This Day in SA History”, at the end of the show. You can send our host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer, a voice note with your questions or thoughts on the show: 072 562 3179. Mail us: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.
Much of the Madlanga Commission’s focus has been on detailing the events leading up to the disbandment of KwaZulu-Natal’s Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) nearly a year ago and the alleged reasons behind the decision. But if we pause and consider the text-based evidence tabled before the commission regarding the PKTT’s effectiveness, has it been all that impressive and worthwhile? Jean Redpath is a senior researcher at the Dullah Omar Institute at the University of the Western Cape and argues in this edition of The Lead that the costs involved in the PKTT achieving so few convictions are perhaps not bang for SA’s buck. Later, in our trending topic, News24 football journo Tashreeq Vardien helps us take stock of where a draw against Zimbabwe leaves Bafana Bafana in its final bid to qualify for next year’s FIFA World Cup. Finally, we reflect on the country’s long LGBTQ+ journey with On This Day in SA History. You can send our host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer, a voice note with your questions or thoughts on the show: 072 562 3179. Mail us: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.
Die poppe is besig om te dans! Translated: the dolls are busy dancing! Which essentially means the chickens have come home to roost. While the SIU raids tender don Morgan Maumela’s Sandton mansion, and heavily armed officers swarm the Centurion home of suspended top cop Shadrack Sibiya, KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi wrapped up his evidence before Parliament’s ad-hoc committee at midnight on Wednesday. Our senior Parliamentary journalist, Jan Gerber, has been burning the midnight oil to keep us abreast of any major Mkhwanazi takeaways there. Later in the show, we cross to our football aficionado, Tashreeq Vardien, in Durban for the critical Bafana Bafana Friday clash against Zimbabwe in the aftermath of Mokoena-gate. Finally, with “On This Day in SA History”, did you know a South African once traversed the famous Channel Tunnel wearing flip flops? You can send our host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer, a voice note with your questions or thoughts on the show: 072 562 3179. Mail us: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.
The smaller, minority political parties are easily the kingmakers in the City of Johannesburg. Now, though, it has emerged that some of them have suddenly exited their shared WhatsApp group. So where does this leave the current configuration of the government of local unity in Jozi? Could it spell more coalition uncertainty for a metro screaming out for proper service delivery? We catch up with our resident metro journalist in the council, Alex Patrick. Later in the show, KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi tells MPs that if Crime Intelligence revealed sensitive info about political party funding, “the country will burn”.Finally, we remember the Jozi gold rush pioneers with “On This Day in SA History”. You can send our host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer, a voice note with your questions or thoughts on the show: 072 562 3179. Mail us: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.
With the DA quick out of the gates to deploy one of its most senior members to run for Johannesburg’s mayoral chain, where does this leave the ANC? Does the party, wilting under its track record of corruption and poor service delivery rely on incumbent Dada Morero to take up the fight against Helen Zille in next year’s municipal polls? Or does it deploy a candidate no-one saw coming? With some answers for The Lead is our News24 journalist dabbling in local government politics, Siyamtanda Capa. Later in the show, a US-blacklisted Russian cargo plane touches down in Upington. Finally, we look back on Ian Smith’s last ditch attempts to keep white minority rule in Zimbabwe with “On This Day in SA History”. You can send our host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer, a voice note with your questions or thoughts on the show: 072 562 3179. Mail us: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.
Please note that our top story in The Lead today may upset you. Listeners’ discretion is advised. In short, you’re going to meet the monster John Harris, as narrated by the veteran investigative journalist who unearthed the harrowing story, Jacques Pauw. Harris, 73, a British-born music teacher for schoolchildren who had frequented many towns up and down the Western Cape, was earlier this year sent to Paarl’s Alandale prison for the grooming, sexual assault and double rape of a 9-year-old girl. In fact, he preyed on several women and girls, some of whose experiences only came to light for the first time this week, thanks in part to Pauw’s reporting. We’d like to take this opportunity to urge anyone aware of child or women abuse in South Africa to please contact the South African Police Service at 10111 or call the national Childline toll-free helpline at 116. We end today’s show with ‘On This Day in SA History’. You can send our host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer, a voice note with your questions or thoughts on the show: 072 562 3179. Mail us: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.
He’s been riding high in Lamborghinis, now eyed by investigators for asset seizure. Hangwani Morgan Maumela, the supreme tender don at the centre of the Tembisa Hospital tender scam, has since been pushing to get his foot in the door in the North West province too. But as investigative journalist Jeff Wicks reports, Maumela’s company couldn’t even bother to obtain a legitimate BBBEE certificate to win this lucrative hospital catering deal. Wicks tells The Lead that Maumela lost the bid but has since interdicted the tender. Later in the show, EFF leader Julius Malema loses his firearm case in the courts. Finally, the French back apartheid arms in our daily reflection with “On This Day in SA History”. You can send our host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer a voice note with your questions or thoughts on the show: 072 562 3179. Mail us: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.
It is already week three of the Madlanga Commission in Pretoria, and we have witnessed some damning allegations of the criminal capture of the country’s justice system. The rot in the police is so bad that the senior men and women in blue have a name for the criminal syndicate that has infiltrated its heart: “The Big Five”. And with a new inquiry evidence leader, advocate Matthew Chaskalson SC entering the fray, how can we better make sense of the claims we are hearing right now? To navigate us through the noise in this edition of The Lead, you will hear from our News24 specialist legal journalist, Karyn Maughan, live from the Pretoria inquiry, Mbekezeli Benjamin, a researcher and advocacy officer for non-profit group Judges Matter, as well as News24 investigations editor Pieter du Toit. Later in the show, French police are investigating the death of former long-time Cabinet minister Nathi Mthethwa at a Paris hotel. And finally, we remember Winnie Madikizela-Mandela with “On This Day in SA History” courtesy of SA History Online. You can send our host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer a voice note with your questions or thoughts on the show: 072 562 3179. Mail us: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.
There are some signs that South Africa is heading down the Latin American route, following the recent assassinations of some key societal figures. From Babita Deokaran to Bouwer van Niekerk, global crime experts warn that the targeting of whistleblowers, prosecutors, activists, and even journalists weakens the very foundation of democracy. To take stock of the lessons one can learn from Mexico, for example, The Lead’s Graeme Raubenheimer interviews Julian Rademeyer, the East and Southern Africa director for the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime (GI-TOC). Later in the show, is SA/US trade dead in the water or is it all systems AGOA for a new agreement? And finally, we remember the Tulbagh earthquake of 1969 with “On This Day in SA History” courtesy SA History Online. You can send host Graeme Raubenheimer a voice note with your questions or thoughts on this live to 072 562 3179. Mail your comments to: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.