News 18:00

BULLETIN 17 September 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Public Interest South Africa calls for stronger vetting processes in the public service sector
# The minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille officially opens a two-billion-rand Club Med Resort
# And, Ukraine praises the US sanctions bill targeting Russia

# Public Interest South Africa founder Tebogo Khaas is calling for stronger lifestyle audits and improved vetting systems. This as the Madlanga Commission continues to probe political inteferance in the Justice system. Speaking to the SABC, Khaas says South Africa may not need a complete legislative overhaul, but should strengthen existing measures. He says declarations of financial interests by politicians and officials must be properly checked for hidden interests and under-disclosures:

# Tourism minister Patricia de Lille has officially inaugurated South Africa’s first Club Med Beach and Safari Resort in KwaZulu-Natal, on behalf of president Cyril Ramaphosa. The development represents more than two-billion-rand in investment, created 600 permanent direct jobs, one-thousand-500 indirect jobs supported and more than two-thousand-300 jobs were created during construction. She says the resort combines coastal and safari tourism while creating opportunities for local businesses, workers and communities:

# The African Independent Congress has announced Johannesburg Council Speaker Margaret Arnolds as its mayoral candidate for the 4 November local government elections. Arnolds has previously served as mayoral committee member for Community Development and Finance and currently serves as Speaker. The AIC says her campaign will focus on service delivery, accountability, infrastructure and local economic development.

# Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has welcomed the US House of Representatives’ passage of a sweeping sanctions bill targeting Russia. The legislation, approved by 262 votes to 159, targets Russia’s energy and defence industries and its shadow fleet of oil tankers used to evade sanctions. It would also allow US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100-percent on countries including China and India that continue buying Russian oil and gas. The legislation passed the Senate last month and now has to be signed by Trump.

# Soccer: Mamelodi Sundowns captain Ronwen Williams says a potential FIFA Intercontinental Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain is the ultimate goal. The Brazilians must first overcome Asian champions Al Ahli Saudi FC at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. Sundowns qualified by winning the CAF Champions League. Williams has warned his teammates opportunities will be limited against Al-Ahli, highlighting the threat posed by Ivan Toney and Francisco Trincão, described as a lethal attacking partnership in the Saudi Pro League. Kick-off is at 3 pm.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-25-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-66-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-72-cents and Bitcoin trades at 76-thousand-609-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-366-dollars-58-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 104-dollars-5-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….