Update@Noon SAfm

City Power security guards had an exchange of gun fire with suspected criminal gangs which attempted to steal copper cables from the tunnels where a fire broke out on the M1 highway in the Johannesburg's CBD on Tuesday. The fire which caused traffic disruptions in the area has been contained but black thick smoke remains visible. Surrounding areas such as Braamfontein are without power as City Power officials attempt to assess the extent of the damage. SABC TV reporter, Calvin Dludla earlier caught up with City Power spokesperson, Issac Mangena underneath the M1 highway

Statistics produced by the police and mortuary surveillance systems in South Africa have consistently shown that firearms are the most commonly used weapons to commit murder and other violent crimes, such as carjacking and house robberies. The is an urgent need for stronger gun control measures in South Africa, this is according to Dr Guy Lamb of Stellenbosch University. The proposed amendments have once again stirred public debate, particularly about whether tighter laws do actually reduce firearm violence. The Civilian Secretariat for Police Services has invited public comment on the proposed amendments, and has reportedly received more than 100-thousand submissions. Police statistics paint a grim picture, showing a staggering 30% increase in gun-related killings over the past five years. To talk more on this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dr Guy Lamb, a senior lecturer at the Political Science school at Stellenbosch university

The South African workforce says, the rising cost of living expenses has placed increased financial stress on their shoulders, as many families battle to pay for basic needs. As the country commemorates Workers Day, workers say, there is little to celebrate as many face escalating financial pressures due to increased cost of housing, transportation, food and electricity. For this Workers Day, Prabashini Moodley takes a closer look at the financial strain experienced by workers amid economic challenges exacerbated by ongoing electricity shortages and a sluggish economic growth rate, SABC reporter Prabashini Moodley filed. 

Traffic has been disrupted in some of the major roads in the Eastern Cape due to a shutdown by scholar transport operators, making nearly impossible for commuters, goods and services to move around the province. The Provincial Transport Department Spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, says the Buffalo City Metro is proving to be the epicentre of this protest action, with blockades in some of the major routes leading to the CBDs in East London and Qonce in particular. Binqose says no violence has been reported so far. For the latest Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SABC reporter Nomzwanele Mngoma...

The Senzo Meyiwa trial has adjourned till Monday at the High Court in Pretoria. Five men are on trial for the 2014 murder of Meyiwa who was shot and killed while at Kelly Khumalo's home in Vosloorus on Gauteng's East Rand. SABC reporter Peal Magubane filed this report

African National Congress President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has applauded South African workers for continuing to contribute to the country's economy. Ramaphosa was speaking at the COSATU's Workers' Day rally in Athlone Stadium, in Cape Town. He was among the federation's leadership including COSATU president, Zingiswa Losi, as well as SACP's General Secretary Solly Mapaila, who all delivered messages of solidarity with the workers and the people of Palestine.