News 18:00

BULLETIN 16 September 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The IEC says the ANC court ruling clears the way for election preparations
# A World Bank expert calls for vetting systems to reflect country-specific risks
# And, the SIU uncovers a 58-million-rand fraudulent Ekurhuleni land scheme

# The Electoral Commission has noted the Electoral Court’s dismissal of the ANC’s appeal over 181 excluded councillor candidates. The candidates will not contest the 4 November local elections after the ANC missed the deadline, blaming technical glitches on the IEC’s electronic system, an explanation the commission rejected. IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo says the ruling provides clarity on who is eligible to contest, and the commission will proceed with the election timetable:

# World Bank senior financial sector specialist Laura Pop has told the Madlanga Commission that countries need vetting systems tailored to their specific risks, institutions and governance challenges. Drawing on more than a decade of anti-corruption work in Ukraine, Moldova, Kenya and Albania, Pop says one-size-fits-all models cannot address local corruption effectively. She says extraordinary integrity evaluations can serve as a reset, helping rebuild law enforcement institutions and strengthening accountability:

# A Special Investigating Unit investigation has uncovered a 58-million-rand fraudulent land scheme involving the transfer of 208 Ekurhuleni municipal stands in Villa Liza near Boksburg. The investigation found the properties were transferred to private individuals between 2018 and 2022 without council approval, using allegedly forged rates clearance certificates and powers of attorney. SIU head Leonard Lekgetho told the media the matter has been referred to the National Prosecuting Authority for possible prosecution:

# The Department of Electricity and Energy, CSIR and the World Bank Group have launched a strategic framework for offshore wind development in South Africa. The launch took place during the Africa Green Hydrogen Summit in Cape Town. Deputy minister Alexandra Abrahams says South Africa’s geographical position offers highly consistent coastal wind profiles, creating opportunities for renewable energy development. She added the framework forms part of World Bank-commissioned offshore wind studies.

# Tennis: US Open men’s finalists Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton jump straight into action again in the Davis Cup qualifiers. Champion Zverev leads Germany’s tie against Croatia in Halle this weekend, while Shelton hopes to help America beat the Czech Republic in Prague. The US will be without Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul, who were replaced by Learner Thien and world number 104, Martin Damm, whose father was born in the Czech Republic. Eight teams will compete in November’s finals of the team competition.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-30-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-79-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-90-cents and Bitcoin trades at 75-thousand-469-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-330-dollars-89-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 108-dollars-65-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….