News 07:00

BULLETIN 22 August 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Deena Govender reveals a recording to the Madlanga Commission of alleged pressure to implicate Mkhwanazi
# The developing El Niño is set to be the strongest in living memory
# And rugby, statistics favour the All Blacks in today’s Ellis Park Test against the Boks

# KwaZulu-Natal Hawks officer Deenadayalan “Deena” Govender played an audio recording at the Madlanga Commission, which he says captures attempts to pressure him into implicating Provincial Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Govender alleged that Mavuso Ntandane, an associate of suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu threatened him with arrest and lengthy imprisonment if he did not cooperate. He claimed that he was being used as a pawn to build a case against Mkhwanazi:

# KwaZulu-Natal Hawks officer Deenadayalan Govender has denied allegations that Anti-Gang Unit members were responsible for the deaths of taxi boss and tow-truck businessman Bevan Loftus and four others at a Morningside flat in Durban. Govender told the Madlanga Commission that his team was outside the flat when tactical police entered. He said he was informed that occupants fired at tactical officers, who returned fire:

# The rand strengthened to below 16-rand against the dollar yesterday, reaching its strongest level since the start of the Iran war. The currency was boosted by a weaker US dollar and further gains in the gold price. Reuters says the dollar was trading at about 16-rand-5-cents in early trading, while News24 reports it briefly moved below the 16-rand level. The American currency has come under pressure after the US Treasury announced plans to buy long-term government bonds. Gold is also heading for a third consecutive weekly gain.

# Britain’s Met Office says the developing El Niño weather pattern could be the strongest in living memory. Forecasts suggest sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific could rise more than three degrees Celsius above average later this year. El Niño can disrupt weather patterns worldwide, increasing the risk of drought, heavy rain and extreme temperatures, with potentially serious consequences for agriculture. Southern Africa is among regions that can experience drier conditions during El Niño events, with 2027 very likely to become the hottest year on record.

# And now rugby: Defending champions Griquas secured a home Currie Cup semi-final with a convincing 38-14 victory over the Pumas at Mbombela Stadium last night. Griquas led 17-4 at half-time and dominated after the break, scoring five tries to the Pumas’ two. Zane Bester scored twice as Griquas strengthened their position at the top of the log. Meanwhile, the Stormers kept their play-off hopes alive with a 50-26 victory over the Bulls-15 at Loftus in Pretoria. The Capetonians lead by 33 -7 at half-time, scoring seven tries against the Bulls’ four.

# And finally, the stats favour the All Blacks in this afternoon’s first Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park, although the world champions dominated in the recent past. New Zealand won 63 of their previous 110 matches, while four were drawn. But the Boks won five of their last six games, including 2023 World Cup final. The last time the two teams met at Ellis Park, in 2024, the Boks won 31-27, after beating the All Blacks in the final of the 1995 World Cup at the same field.

Stay tuned for more news………….