News 11:00

BULLETIN 5 September 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Speaker rejects the MK Party’s call to remove Gana as the chairperson of the Section 89 Impeachment Committee
# Transnet completes the restoration of the Cape Mainline rail link
# And Tennis: Alcaraz and Sabalenka are both through to the last 16 at the USA Open

# National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has rejected the MK Party’s call to remove RISE Mzansi Member of Parliament Makashule Gana as chair of Parliament’s Section 89 Impeachment Committee. MK parliamentary leader John Hlophe argued Gana could not be impartial because his party is part of the Government of National Unity. Gana was elected 19 votes to 12, following nominations by the ANC and DA. Didiza says she has no power to overturn the committee’s vote. Gana remains chair as the Phala Phala inquiry continues. 

# The High Court in Johannesburg has reserved judgment in the murder trial of Bafana Mahungela, accused of killing Sandton teacher Kirsten Kluyts. Kluyts was killed in October 2023 while participating in an athletic event. The State alleges she died from blunt-force trauma and strangulation. Mahungela faces charges including kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder and attempted rape. NPA spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole says the court postponed the matter to the 11th of September:

# State-owned logistics operator Transnet says it has completed the restoration of the Cape Mainline rail link following storm damage in May. Heavy rainfall, strong winds and flooding on 11 and 12 May caused extensive damage, closing sections of the line for more than two months. The strategic mixed-freight corridor connects Cape Town with South Africa’s inland rail network, carrying containers, agricultural products, industrial goods and minerals. Diesel trains resumed operations in July, while full electric train services returned in August.

# Northern Cape police say sexual offences increased by 32-point-five percent between April and June, with rape cases rising by 43.4-percent. Provincial Police Commissioner Koliswa Otola says many victims know their alleged perpetrators, some rape cases involve children of the same age, while others involve older offenders. She is urging communities to work closely with police to prevent sexual offences and ensure perpetrators face justice:

# US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia and Ukraine this weekend, as efforts to end the war appear to be gathering pace. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed he will meet the envoys tomorrow, after they visit Moscow today to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Witkoff and Kushner have led US President Donald Trump’s efforts to broker a peace deal, but there are still substantial differences between the two warring sides.

# And finally tennis: Defending singles champions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka sailed into the last 16 of the US Open yesterday, while tennis icons Serena and Venus Williams suffered defeat in their long-awaited return to Grand Slam doubles. Alcaraz beat China’s Wu Yibing 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 to book his place in the fourth round while Sabalenka was similarly dominant in a 6-3, 6-4 defeat of Kamilla Rakhimova. Alcaraz will face 20th-seeded American Tommy Paul for a place in the quarterfinals after Paul beat 15th-seeded Alexander Bublik in five sets.

Stay tuned for more news………….