News 09:00

BULLETIN 14 September 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA has lodged an ethics complaint against John Hlophe
# Counterfeit goods worth over nine-million-rand are seized in Pretoria
# And, the UN chief calls on BRICS countries to strengthen and safeguard a multilateral system

# The DA has lodged a complaint against MK Party parliamentary leader, John Hlophe, for failing to disclose all his interests as per the Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosures of Members’ Interests. The party’s George Michalakis says that for the disclosure period ending 30 June 2026, Hlophe failed to reveal that he was still an active director of two companies, as well as a registered owner of a property in Cape Town. Michalakis says Hlophe could not have failed to make such disclosures in good faith:

# The ANC has rejected as false and without factual foundation reports claiming that Reverend Frank Chikane has instituted legal proceedings against the party. A leaked confidential report shows that 51 recommended mayoral candidates, including Chikane, were not submitted to the Electoral Commission ahead of the November local government elections. Chikane was recommended by the ANC’s extended national executive committee as the Johannesburg mayoral candidate. The ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu says attempts to manufacture a conflict between Chikane and the party are both reckless and misleading.

# Police, supported by crime-fighting partners, seized counterfeit goods worth more than nine-million-rand during a multidisciplinary operation conducted in Marabastad, Pretoria. Over ten-thousand counterfeit items, including branded sports apparel, footwear, cosmetics and cellular accessories, were seized during the week-long operation. Police spokesperson Amanda Van Wyk says the operation formed part of ongoing nationwide efforts to disrupt and dismantle the illegal trade, manufacture and distribution of counterfeit and illicit goods in South Africa:

# United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres says a more balanced global order requires an overhaul of the institutions built after the Second World War. He addressed the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, yesterday. The summit was held under the theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” Guterres says the world is increasingly moving towards a multipolar world, arguing that the shift is something to embrace rather than resist. He emphasised that multipolarity helps bring balance and equity to global systems and institutions.

# Golf: Home crowd favourite Shane Lowry secured a record eleven-shot victory at the Irish Open. The 39-year-old shot a seven-under 63 to finish 23 under par and win his seventh career title and his second Irish Open triumph. American Patrick Reed and Chile’s Joaquin Niemann shared second place on 12 under. Northern Irishman and defending champion Rory McIlroy closed with a 67 to finish in a disappointing tie for 41st, 22 shots adrift of Lowry. Lowry described his victory as spectacular:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-19-cents and the euro at 18-rand-72-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-86-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 77-thousand-517-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-329-dollars-52-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 109-dollars-20-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….