News 09:00

BULLETIN 16 August 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Forum for South Africa calls for the immediate reinstatement of Fannie Masemola
# Solidarity welcomes the extension of AGOA
# And, rescuers search for survivors after a  powerful earthquake in Indonesia

# The Forum for South Africa calls for the immediate reinstatement of the suspended National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, pending the conclusion of all legal and disciplinary processes. Forum leader, Tebogo Mashilompane, says evidence presented before the Madlanga Commission has raised serious concerns about the conduct and motives of certain individuals. He says the testimony heard thus far suggests that there may have been an orchestrated effort to remove Masemola from office:

# Solidarity has welcomed the US Senate’s approval of a two-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act until the end of December 2028. Solidarity spokesperson, Jaco Kleynhans, says although it still needs to be approved by the House of Representatives and subsequently signed by the US president, no immediate obstacles are anticipated. However, he says AGOA allows the White House to revise the list of beneficiary countries annually, and it remains possible that President Trump could adjust the current list of 32 participating countries before next year.

# The African Unite Borders Bus Trucks Association is calling on African leaders to intervene in the Lake Kariba ferry tragedy in Zimbabwe. Forty-four people died when an overloaded ferry capsized near Long Island on Tuesday, with many people still missing. The association chairperson, Mukhwathi Phumudzo, says it was an old boat and African leaders must invest in building new infrastructure:

# Rescue teams are searching for survivors after a powerful magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck Indonesia’s island of Flores, killing at least 51 people. The quake struck early on Saturday and was followed by dozens of aftershocks. Hundreds of buildings have been badly damaged, with Manggarai among the worst-affected areas. Indonesia’s disaster agency says aid is being sent to affected communities, with more than ten-thousand emergency packages already delivered. A second magnitude-6.9 earthquake struck at the other end of Indonesia. The country is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity, lying along the meeting point of three major tectonic plates.

# And, sports news:

# Tennis: World number one Jannik Sinner has completed shockwave therapy on his right knee as he works towards a return to tennis. The five-time Grand Slam champion has not played since successfully defending his Wimbledon title against Alexander Zverev on July 12. Sinner subsequently missed the Canadian Open and withdrew from the Cincinnati Open, saying his knee was still bothering him. The Italian is now focusing on his recovery and hopes to be fit for the US Open. His progress will be closely monitored ahead of the final Grand Slam of the year.

# And golf: Australia’s Austin Bautista has won the FNB Eswatini Challenge at the Ezulweni Golf and Country Club by two strokes. Bautista carded a final-round 67 to finish on 17-under-par, securing his second Sunshine Tour title. He began the final round two shots off the lead but surged ahead with six birdies over 11 holes. South Africans Herman Loubser and Dylan Mostert, along with Frenchman Benjamin Kedochim, shared second on 15-under. Bautista has now climbed to second on the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit and will defend his Sunbet Challenge title next week.

Stay tuned for more news………….