For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Trent Roebeck.

Making headlines: 6 945 murders in 3 months, women and child abuse continues unabated, Mkhwebane says EFF plans to ensure ministers don't take Public Protector to court and, Madagascar president takes huge lead in early results of low turnout vote

6 945 murders in 3 months, women and child abuse continues unabated

Minister of Police Bheki Cele revealed today that 6 945 people were murdered in South Africa between July 1 and September 30, and expressed outrage that out of that figure, 881 people were women and 293 were children.

He said the violence against women and children was shameful, as he announced the 0.8% drop in the murder rate, from the quarterly crime statistics.

He believes that incorporating communities and non-government organisations is vital in reducing crime in the country, as the police cannot win alone.

The crime statistics also pointed out that 35 police officers were killed on and off duty in the 3-month period, as well as 19 law enforcement officers attached to national, provincial and local government and private security.

Mkhwebane says EFF plans to ensure ministers don't take Public Protector to court

After the elections next year, the Economic Freedom Fighters will ensure that ministers don't take steps to have the remedial actions of Chapter 9 institutions, such as the Public Protector, taken on review, former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane said.

Mkhwebane became the first head of a Chapter 9 institution to be removed after a parliamentary impeachment inquiry found her guilty of misconduct and incompetence.

Continuing a theme she raised during her appearance at the impeachment inquiry, Mkhwebane said the Nkandla judgment - in which the Constitutional Court ruled that the Public Protector's remedial actions were binding unless set aside by a court - created a lot of problems, because " state functionaries" were now taking Public Protector reports on review.

According to Mkhwebane there is no need to establish another Chapter 9 institution to deal with corruption.

Madagascar president takes huge lead in early results of low turnout vote

Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina took a predictably commanding early lead today in his bid for re-election in a vote marked by low turnout and an opposition boycott, preliminary results showed.

The 49-year-old entrepreneur and former DJ rose to power on the Indian Ocean island in a 2009 coup, stepped down after almost five years as leader of a transitional authority, then won a 2018 election.

The opposition says he should not have run again in Thursday's poll because he acquired French nationality in 2014 - which they say automatically revokes his Malagasy one - and has created unfair election conditions.

He says both accusations are baseless political tactics.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

Don’t forget to follow us on the X platform, at the handle @PolityZA