News 11:00

BULLETIN 26 August 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Fikile Mbalula says the ANC will consider waivers for ward candidates who do not have matric
# At least 15 newborns are killed in a hospital fire in Pakistan’s capital of Islamabad
# And rugby: Anton Segner becomes the latest All Black player to be sent home due to injury

# ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula says party ward councillor candidates who do not have a matric qualification will be required to apply for a waiver ahead of November’s local government elections. Some provincial secretaries have asked the party for waivers for some new prospective councillors who do not have matric. The ANC’s National Executive Committee is finalising its candidate list ahead of its release next month. Mbalula says requirements for mayoral candidates are, however, non-negotiable:

# ActionSA 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 them 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 Gauteng Department of Health has launched an investigation into allegations of bribery and preferential treatment by officials. It is alleged that some patients are bribing officials to jump queues when booking appointments, accessing patient files and collecting medication from pharmacies at public health facilities. Spokesperson Steve Mabona says reporting these incidents will assist the department in protecting patients, strengthening accountability, and ensuring public healthcare services are provided fairly and without discrimination:

Moving abroad:

# At least 15 infants have been burnt to death in a fire at the largest hospital in Pakistan’s capital of Islamabad, the Pakistan Institute for Medical Sciences, this morning. According to reports, the blaze appears to have been triggered by an air conditioning compressor explosion inside the nursery. Rescue teams managed to save one baby. Authorities say an inquiry committee headed by the additional deputy commissioner general has been formed to investigate the incident, including whether the nursery’s evacuation and fire-safety arrangements were adequate.

# Rugby: All Blacks loose forward Anton Segner has been ruled out of the remainder of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa through injury. He was a late withdrawal from the match-day squad for the first Test at Ellis Park after complaining of a swollen ankle. Coach Dave Rennie has confirmed Segner has undergone minor surgery and will return home to continue his recovery. No replacement will be called up. Four injured All Blacks have already returned to New Zealand, and two more are recovering from concussion.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-92-cents and the euro at 18-rand-57-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-70-cents and Bitcoin trades at 79-thousand-34-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-638-dollars-16-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 87-dollars-92-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….