News 08:00

BULLETIN 20 September 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis pays tribute to the women who were killed in Ekurhuleni
# COSATU calls for assurance on retired soldiers’ medical cover
# And soccer: Sundowns win the African-Asian-Pacific Cup against Al Ahli

# DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has paid tribute to nine women killed in Ekurhuleni, laying wreaths in their memory. The bodies were discovered in the municipality in less than two months. Hill-Lewis says women should be able to move through their communities without fear. He has called for stronger visible policing, improved lighting and surveillance, and better cooperation between law enforcement and communities to strengthen safety:

Meanwhile, the African Christian Democratic Party councillor Palesa Yates says the police has failed these women. Yates claims more effective Ekurhuleni Metro Police patrols could have prevented the killings. Yates condemned authorities for taking too long to raise the alarm over a possible serial killer. In addition, she has welcomed the dismissal of former EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi following a disciplinary process:

# The Congress of South African Trade Unions is calling on the government to assure retired military personnel that their medical cover remains secure. The federation says reports that the Regular Force Medical Continuation Fund could struggle to meet commitments from November are concerning as 21-thousand former SANDF members and their dependents could be affected. COSATU’s Matthew Parks says the Treasury must urgently address an estimated 40-million-rand monthly funding shortfall:

# Flames and a large plume of black smoke were seen near Riyadh’s main airport after Saudi Arabia issued overnight alerts warning of possible aerial attacks. Yemen’s Houthi rebels later claimed they had attacked what they called sensitive sites in the capital with missiles and drones. Reuters photographs showed flames rising from behind what appeared to be fuel tanks near King Khalid International Airport. Saudi civil defence later issued an all-clear. The Houthis also claimed an attack on an Aramco facility in the Red Sea city of Yanbu.

# Soccer: Mamelodi Sundowns beat Asian champions Al Ahli two-one at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria yesterday to win the African-Asian-Pacific Cup and advance to the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. Portuguese forward Nuno Santos scored both goals for the African champions, heading Sundowns ahead in the 17th minute before settling the match nine minutes from time. Al Ahli equalised through an own goal by Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. Sundowns will next face either Mexican club Toluca or the winners of the Copa Libertadores, with a place in the final against Paris Saint-Germain at stake.

# And motorsport: South Africa will host its first international 24-hour endurance race when Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit stages the Michelin 24-Hour Kyalami from 8 to 10 January 2027. The event marks the Michelin 24-Hour Series’ debut on the African continent. Organiser Creventic moved the flagship race from Dubai amid geopolitical uncertainty and rising operational costs. Creventic general manager Helen Roukens confirmed that the race registrations are already open, with three exclusive open-pit-lane testing and track events planned.

Stay tuned for more news………….