For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Madiba.

Making headlines: Zuma extends his stay in Russia as SA prison authorities decide his fate; Joburg mayor says congested underground pipes may have caused explosion; And, South Africa says more than 40 nations interested in joining Brics

Zuma extends his stay in Russia as SA prison authorities decide his fate

Former president Jacob Zuma has extended his trip to Moscow as the Department of Correctional Services decides whether he should return to prison.

Two sources who have knowledge of Zuma's trip says that he was meant to return on Tuesday, but that he extended the trip.

He is seeking medical treatment in the Russian capital, although the details of his illness are unknown.

The DCS said yesterday that the department was yet to decide on Zuma's fate.

Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi confirmed that Zuma had not returned from Moscow.

Joburg mayor says congested underground pipes may have caused explosion

The Johannesburg Emergency Management Services has warned people to steer clear of the area where an explosion happened in the Johannesburg CBD, over fears that a secondary one could happen.

Speaking this morning, Johannesburg EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said there is still a risk of a secondary explosion, hence the EMS is discouraging people from going to the area. If there is a need to evacuate people, the EMS will do that.

The explosion, which happened yesterday afternoon, left one person dead and 48 others injured. Two of the injured are said to be in critical condition.

Mulaudzi said 37 vehicles had also been damaged. Many of those, he said, were minibus taxis.

He said a body was discovered this morning.

While the cause of the explosion has not yet been confirmed, Mulaudzi said illegal mining could not be ruled out.

Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda said what had happened was "indeed a tragedy".

He said there was currently a voluntary evacuation of people living in the buildings near where the explosion occurred.

And, South Africa says more than 40 nations interested in joining Brics

More than 40 countries have expressed interest in joining the Brics group of nations.

Anil Sooklal and officials from the department of foreign affairs were addressing journalists in the main commercial city of Johannesburg, a day after South Africa confirmed Russia's Vladimir Putin would not attend the Brics summit in August.

The question of how far and fast to expand the club - centred around Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - is top of the agenda at the summit of nations seeking to offset to the perceived hegemony of the US-led West in global affairs.

Aside from the 22 countries that had formally asked to join, Sooklal said there was "an equal number of countries that have informally expressed interest in becoming Brics members ... (including) all the major global south countries".

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter [@Polity ZA]