News 09:00

BULLETIN 26 August 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# ActionSA rejects claims of political interference with the review of the Phala Phala matter
# Left-wing groups unite against the proposed Eviction Law changes
# And, Iran and Oman propose a temporary shipping corridor in the Strait of Hormuz

# ActionSA says it rejects the assertion by the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union that its application to review the disciplinary outcomes concerning Presidential Protection Service officers, Wally Rhoode and Hennie Rekhoto, amounts to political interference. The party has filed a court application accusing the South African Police Service of shielding the two for their role in the Phala Phala cover-up. ActionSA’s Lerato Ngobeni says they are not satisfied that the disciplinary process was beyond reproach:

# The newly formed Council of the Left says it will unite political organisations, trade unions and community groups around common struggles affecting workers and poor communities. It plans to campaign against proposed changes to eviction laws, defend the Expropriation Act and support land redistribution. The council also wants increased funding for basic services, action against austerity and measures to ease the cost of living. Their focus will be on building unity through action and strengthening working-class organisation.

# Education activist Hendrick Makaneta has expressed concern over an alleged attempted sexual assault involving learners at Villa Liza Secondary School in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg. According to the Gauteng Department of Education, a Grade 8 girl went to the school toilets when two learners allegedly followed her inside, restrained her and tried to remove some of her clothing last Thursday. A criminal case has been opened. Makaneta says sexual violence has no place in schools:

# Iran and Oman have outlined a proposal to establish a temporary shipping channel through the Strait of Hormuz. The announcement comes as US president Donald Trump reiterated that all mines in the critical waterway have been cleared while threatening to destroy any Iranian ships that try to place more. The proposed framework includes facilitating a temporary shipping corridor and clearing the Strait of mines. Omani Foreign minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi says discussions with regional partners will be conducted in support of peace and cooperation, stability and freedom of navigation.

# Soccer: Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes won the men’s Professional Footballers’ Association Players’ Player of the Year award for the 2025/2026 season, while Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw won the women’s award. Fernandes broke the record for Premier League assists last season, setting up 21 goals as he surpassed Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly was named men’s Young Player of the Year, with Arsenal’s Olivia Smith picking up the women’s award. Fernandes says this award is special:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-92-cents and the euro at 18-rand-56-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-70-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 78-thousand-971-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-641-dollars-39-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 87-dollars-81-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….