News 17:00

BULLETIN 12 August 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Lamola takes over chairmanship of the SADC Council of Ministers
# COPE accuses president Cyril Ramaphosa of abandoning the unemployed youth
# And, Zimbabwe declares a state of disaster after the Lake Kariba ferry tragedy

# International Relations and Cooperation minister Ronald Lamola has officially taken over as chairperson of the Southern African Development Community Council of Ministers. He succeeds Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs minister Amon Murwira. Speaking in Durban, Lamola says as the region confronts population growth and changing economic realities, South Africa’s chairship will prioritise economic growth, job creation, peace and regional stability. He emphasised on strengthening regional security in the entire SADC region:

# COPE accuses president Cyril Ramaphosa and the Economic Cluster ministers of abandoning unemployed South Africans, particularly the youth. COPE’s Pakes Dikgetsi says the government’s silence on worsening unemployment reflects political failure and years of poor policy and implementation. The party is calling for an Emergency National Summit on Youth Unemployment, bringing together churches, business and community organisations. He says the summit should develop solutions for industrialisation, job creation and sustainable livelihoods:

# A 23-year-old man accused of killing four people in Reiger Park on the Gauteng East Rand, has been remanded in custody following his appearance in the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court. Regan Collis faces four murder charges, five counts of attempted murder, two robbery charges and two charges relating to firearm-law violations. The victims are two Anti-Gang Unit members, Constables Thapelo Tlomatsana and Siphiwe Sibeko, and two civilian women. Collis has no criminal convictions but has pending criminal cases. He is expected to apply for bail on the 25th.

# Zimbabwe has declared a State of Disaster following the capsizing of a Rural Infrastructure Development Agency vessel on Lake Kariba. The boat was travelling from Kariba to Chalala when it reportedly capsized after being hit by strong waves near Long Island. It was carrying 119 people, including 114 passengers and five crew members. Sixty-seven people have been rescued, 38 deaths have been confirmed and several people remain unaccounted for. Government is mobilising additional resources for rescue and recovery operations.

# Cricket: Fast bowler Scott Boland and keeper-batter Josh Inglis have been left out of Australia’s squad for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting in Darwin tomorrow. Veteran spinner Nathan Lyon is back after a long-term injury and the experienced Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood were also included for Australia’s first Test in eight months. The series is part of the World Test Championship cycle. Captain Pat Cummins says they are ready:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-8-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-59-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-77-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-88-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-434-dollars-57-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 91-dollars-25-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….