News 11:00

BULLETIN 10 September 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Jacob Zuma orders a probe into allegations of manipulation of the MK Party’s candidate list
# A third suspect linked to the murder of DJ Warras is arrested in KwaZulu-Natal
# And Olympics: SASCOC’s president, Barry Hendricks, is suspended

# MK Party leader Jacob Zuma has ordered an investigation into allegations that duly nominated councillor candidates were removed from the party lists submitted to the Electoral Commission and replaced with other names. The allegations stem from the recent councillor selection process ahead of the local government elections. Zandile Hlophe-Mkhwanazi and Sibonelo Maphumulo have been removed from the National Party Liaison Committee with immediate effect, pending the outcome of the investigation. The MK Party says there is no place for manipulation, political gatekeeping or the abuse of organisational processes.

Meanwhile, the ANC will oppose the DA’s application to intervene in its Electoral Court case over the submission of candidate lists in six municipalities. The ANC is appealing the Electoral Commission’s exclusion of candidates after missing the 28 August deadline, blaming a technical glitch on the online system. The DA argues allowing the ANC to submit candidates after the deadline would prejudice parties that complied with the IEC’s rules. The ANC says the DA’s intervention is an act of campaigning, not of the Constitution.

# KwaZulu-Natal police have arrested a third suspect, a 40-year-old woman, in connection with the murder of musician Warrick “DJ Warras” Stock outside a hijacked building in Johannesburg in December. Last month, the confessed gunman, Mozambican Armando Pacula, was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment. The case continues against the alleged orchestrator, Victor Majola. Police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda says the woman will appear in court soon:

Moving abroad:

# President Donald Trump says the war with Iran will end immediately after November’s US midterm elections. His polling numbers are dropping rapidly and he is facing pressure from within his Republican Party to end the war. Brent crude oil rose ‌past 100-dollar a barrel yesterday for the first time since July due to the intensifying conflict in the Middle East. Trump conceded American fuel prices are unlikely to fall before the elections:

# Olympics: The president of the South African Sports Confederation, Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Barry Hendricks, has been suspended with immediate effect. This follows allegations of breaches of the organisation’s safeguarding policy and Codes Handbook. SASCOC says the suspension does not constitute a finding of wrongdoing against Hendricks. It emphasises the decision was taken to safeguard the integrity and independence of the process and allow the matter to be considered thoroughly by SASCOC’s Judicial Body. Vice president Lwandile Simelane will assume Hendricks’ duties during this period.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-3-cents and the euro at 18-rand-65-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-72-cents and Bitcoin trades at 78-thousand-272-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-414-dollars-76-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 102-dollars-51-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….