May 18, 2016.
For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.
Making headlines:

Gordhan speaks out on arrest reports.

Nearly five million Zimbabweans are faced with food shortage.

And, Mbete rejects claims of ANC favouritism in Parliament.

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan says reports of his imminent arrest have been extremely distressing for him and his family.

He said he was not aware of any charges or further investigations until the media reports surfaced over the weekend.

The Sunday Times reported that the Hawks wanted Gordhan and eight others to be charged with espionage, for spying on taxpayers during his time as Sars commissioner.

Gordhan said the malicious rumours and accusations about "espionage" activities were false and manufactured for other motives.

He said he was completely innocent.

Nearly five-million people in Zimbabwe - half of the country's rural population - will need assistance by next year as a result of the ongoing drought in southern Africa, the United Nations has said.

Zimbabwe is one of the worst affected countries by the driest year in decades facing southern Africa - including Malawi, Zambia and South Africa - which had placed more than 30-million people at risk.

Rainfall was not expected in the country any time soon and president Robert Mugabe had declared a "state of disaster".

Residents had reported not having proper food for days.

National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete yesterday rejected claims that her decisions in Parliament were personal because of her close links to the ANC.

Mbete said the role of the Speaker or any presiding officer was to maintain order and make sure there were orderly proceedings.

She was replying to a previous request by the DA that she recused herself as Speaker because she was also ANC chairperson.

Also making headlines:

Zuma explained Nkandla bond but denies knowledge of Gupta dealings.

Cope said Parliament was a house of shame.

And, the IEC said elections must go ahead no matter what.

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That’s a roundup of news making headlines today