News 13:00

BULLETIN 6 September 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa honours our fallen police heroes
# The DA cautiously welcomes the new acting IDAC head
# And tennis: Zverev is through to the 4th round of the US Open

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has honoured 12 police officers who died in the line of duty during the past financial year. Speaking at the SAPS Commemoration in Pretoria, Ramaphosa said the officers must be remembered not as statistics, but as family members and colleagues. Ramaphosa says police safety is everyone’s responsibility. He called for stronger community involvement in fighting crime, supporting the SAPS “Think First – Act Safe” Police Safety Action Plan:

# The DA has cautiously welcomed the appointment of Advocate Ntuthuzelo Vanara as acting head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption. DA’s Glynnis Breytenbach says Vanara must bring renewed focus, professionalism and urgency to the directorate. However, she warns the acting role should remain temporary and calls for a permanent appointment to be made swiftly and transparently. She says that the DA maintains that IDAC should ultimately be replaced by an independent Anti-Corruption Commission with stronger safeguards.

Meanwhile, the party has revealed that Ekurhuleni has conducted no lifestyle audits on municipal officials, stating that this will change under a DA government. Mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane says hundreds of audits would be conducted within the first six months, starting with senior officials and high-risk positions. Rasilingwane pledged a whistleblower protection unit within the first 100 days as they target corruption, improve financial management, fix infrastructure and strengthen public safety:

# The Economic Freedom Fighters in Gauteng have welcomed the province’s Treasury for maintaining a clean audit for the 2025/26 financial year. The party says the result reflects disciplined financial management and stronger internal controls. The Treasury collected more than seven-billion-rand in provincial revenue and met e-toll debt obligations while protecting essential services. The EFF also welcomed an invoice system processing payments within ten to 30 days, saying this supports small and township businesses. It called for continued financial accountability across the government. 

# Tennis: Men’s top seed Alexander Zverev advanced to the last 16 with a straight-sets win over Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo at the US Open yesterday, while the defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev also remain in contention. American hopes suffered blows, with Taylor Fritz eliminated by Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo. In the women’s draw, Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, Naomi Osaka and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka progressed. Madison Keys and Amanda Anisimova were among the high-profile exits.

# And finally: South African immunologist Professor Clive Gray has been awarded the prestigious Royal Society Africa Prize by the United Kingdom’s Royal Society, the world’s oldest scientific academy. Gray, a professor at Stellenbosch University, was recognised for pioneering research into the effects of HIV on maternal and child health. His work focuses on HIV-exposed, uninfected children and placental health. The award also recognises his contribution to building scientific capacity in Africa and mentoring hundreds of young researchers.

Stay tuned for more news………….