News 16:00

BULLETIN 31 August 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The IFP names Mkhuleko Hlengwa as its eThekwini mayoral candidate
# Fuel prices rise sharply again on Wednesday
# And cricket: Kagiso Rabada could miss the Test series against Australia due to injury

# The Inkatha Freedom Party has named Mkhuleko Hlengwa as its mayoral candidate in the eThekwini metro ahead of November’s local government elections. The announcement was made in Durban this morning. Hlengwa is currently deputy minister of Transport and the IFP’s national spokesperson. He has been a Member of Parliament since 2012. IFP leader Velenkosini Hlabisa says the party is confident Hlengwa can deliver eThekwini, citing his 15 years of governance and leadership experience.

# The High Court in Johannesburg has ordered disbarred Advocate Malesela Teffo to provide proof that he has been legally re-admitted before bringing any application. Teffo sought to raise constitutional rights concerns involving businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and four co-accused who face 25 charges, including attempted murder and money laundering. Judge Cassim Moosa says the court cannot consider Teffo’s submissions at this stage:

# Minister for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, says the newly-established national council on gender-based violence and femicide will strengthen the fight against the scourge. She briefed the media after the council’s inaugural meeting. Chikunga says the council will coordinate efforts across government, civil society, business and other sectors, while monitoring the implementation of the national strategic plan on GBVF and supporting survivors:

# South African motorists are facing more huge fuel-price increases on Wednesday, with petrol and diesel prices rising sharply. Petrol prices will increase by around one-rand-34-cents-per-litre, while diesel prices will increase by between two-rand-93- and three-rand-14-cents-per-litre. The increases are being driven by higher international oil prices and a weaker rand. The latest hikes will add further pressure to household budgets and transport costs.

# Cricket: Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada is in a race against time to be fit for the upcoming home three-Test series against Australia in October. He suffered a right hamstring injury during training with his domestic side, the Lions. Rabada has already been ruled out of the one-day series against Australia, beginning next month. Cricket South Africa says Rabada’s availability for the Test series will depend on how he progresses through his rehabilitation, with a decision on his selection to be made closer to the series.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-13-cents and the euro at 18-rand-69-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-83-cents and Bitcoin trades at 78-thousand-124-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-445-dollars-82-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 93-dollars-11-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….