News 12:00

BULLETIN 20 August 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# ActionSA files court papers to challenge the SAPS over the Phala Phala ‘cover-up’ that cleared top cops
# Australia condemns Israel for not pursuing a criminal probe into the killing of seven aid workers
# And, Harry and Meghan are reportedly moving back to the UK

# ActionSA has filed papers in the High Court in Pretoria against the Police Service for what it deems to be a politically driven whitewash to shield Presidential Protection Service members. A police investigation cleared the service’s head, Wally Rhoode, and Hlulani Rekhoto after being accused of covering up the 2020 burglary at president Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in Limpopo. ActionSA’s Michael Beaumont says the investigation was a sham:

# Parliament’s portfolio committee on Trade, Industry and Competition says it supports the work of the Competition Commission to address market misconduct, implement pro-competitive measures in heavily concentrated sectors, and promote competitive tech markets. The commission briefed the committee on the implications of the Constitutional Court’s judgement on the ongoing rand manipulation case involving 28 banks. The committee’s chairperson, Mmusi Maimane, says competition matters, such as over-concentration and rand manipulation, eventually impact the cost of living, the ability of previously disadvantaged individuals to access markets and attract investment.

Moving abroad:

# Australian Foreign minister Penny Wong has expressed outrage at Israel’s decision to not pursue any criminal proceedings for the killings of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and her six World Central Kitchen colleagues. They died in an Israeli attack while distributing food in Gaza in April 2024. The Defence Force has cleared all its personnel. Wong says the removal of two officers and the reprimanding of three others are insufficient accountability:

# Soccer: Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis believes her team has what it takes to qualify for next year’s Women’s World Cup, but admits the intercontinental play-off qualifying matches in November will be tough. The draw will take place in Zurich, Switzerland, today, with South Africa, Ecuador, Papua New Guinea, Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan and Ghana all in the hat. Ellis says they will have to be at their very best to reach the final stage of qualifying:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-10-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-83-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-95-cents and Bitcoin trades at 71-thousand-83-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-492-dollars-13-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 94-dollars-33-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are reportedly planning to move back to the UK this month, six years after relocating to the US. Prince Harry and Meghan left Britain in 2020 after stepping back, citing tabloid intrusion, racism in British institutions, online abuse and complex family dynamics as among the reasons behind their departure. According to reports, King Charles was first made aware of the Sussexes’ planned return on Sunday. Harry, Meghan and their two children, Archie and Lilibeth, will live in a non-royal residence outside London.

Stay tuned for more news………….