News 17:00

BULLETIN 15 September 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Madlanga Commission hears about the alleged JMPD interference in a drug pursuit
# Action Society warns that forensic DNA delays could put more women at risk
# And tennis: The Laver Cup starts on the 25th in London

# The Madlanga Commission has heard about the alleged interference in a Tactical Response Unit operation involving a suspected drug-carrying vehicle. Johannesburg Metro Police Department Internal Affairs head Superintendent Elmarie de Beer said TRU members pursued a black Ford Ranger, called for SAPS and air-wing assistance, however, were allegedly instructed to abandon the pursuit by JMPD Superintendent Phineas Manyama. She says the officers were confronted and ordered to return vehicles and firearms:

Meanwhile, de Beer, also told the Madlanga Commission that some informants linked to JMPD members may be facilitating criminal activity. De Beer says these are not conventional informants who provide information to help police arrest criminals. She says some are civilians working for targeted businesses or stationed outside business premises to monitor activities:

# Action Society says delays in processing forensic evidence could prevent police from identifying repeat offenders and stopping further killings. The warning comes after the bodies of six women were found in the Kempton Park area in about two months. The organisation’s Juanita du Preez says the cases have worrying similarities, but police have not linked them. Du Preez calls for DNA evidence to be processed quickly and checked against the national database:

# Tennis: The next big event on the men’s professional calendar, the Laver Cup, starts in London on the 25th. Team World is the defending champion after beating Team Europe last year. This year, world number two Alexander Zverev of Germany will headline Europe, while Spaniards Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Jodar, Italian Flavio Cobolli, Norway’s Casper Ruud and Czech player Jakub Mensik complete the line-up. Americans Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz and Learner Tien, Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan, Argentinian Francisco Cerundulo and Australian Alex de Minaur will represent the World team.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-23-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-74-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-88-cents and Bitcoin trades at 76-thousand-922-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-287-dollars-26-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 107-dollars-13-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Deputy president Paul Mashatile says his recovery is progressing well after a recent minor medical procedure. In a statement, Mashatile says he is regaining strength each day and will continue resting on his doctors’ advice. He says work and delegated responsibilities continue through his office and with stakeholders in government and business. Mashatile thanks his family, medical team, colleagues in government and the ANC, president Ramaphosa and all South Africans for their messages of support.

Stay tuned for more news………….