News 18:00

BULLETIN 21 September 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# AfriForum says Fikile Mbalula joins Julius Malema to face prosecution over the Bergview rape claims
# An aducation activist, backs NSFAS operational changes to strengthen data integrity and to reduce errors 
# And, evacuations are ordered in Tokyo as a powerful typhoon threatens floods and landslides

# AfriForum says ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula will face criminal prosecution over remarks about an alleged child rape at Bergview College in Matatiele, Eastern Cape. The National Prosecuting Authority has agreed to prosecute, and Mbalula would join EFF leader Julius Malema, who faces a similar charge. AfriForum’s Gerrie Nel told the media Mbalula’s comments falsely linked the college’s principal, Jaco Pieterse, to the allegations and harmed his dignity:

# Taxi boss and businessman Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni says allegations linking him to several police officers should be investigated. Testifying at the Madlanga Commission, Sibanyoni said he personally knows only one of the officers mentioned, through a family connection. He denied having any professional or business relationship with that officer. Sibanyoni also disputed claims that he controlled access to properties or group chats, saying access codes could be shared beyond his control:

# Education activist Hendrick Makaneta has welcomed the changes the National Student Financial Aid Scheme is implementing for the 2027 funding cycle. Applications are now open for funding, with prospective students given until 18 November 2026 to apply. The scheme has introduced several operational changes for the 2027 cycle, including directly extracting student information from institutional systems and automated document verification and electronic document signing. Makaneta says the changes must result in a transparent and accessible application process:

# Evacuation orders have been issued in parts of the Tokyo region as powerful Typhoon Dujuan approaches Japan’s Pacific coast, bringing torrential rain and strong winds. The Japan Meteorological Agency warns conditions could worsen rapidly as the storm moves closer to the capital. More than 300 millimetres of rain has fallen since Saturday in parts of the Izu Islands and Chiba prefecture. Authorities are also warning of flash floods and landslides. Some 300 flights have been cancelled and some train services suspended.

# Rugby: All Blacks captain Ardie Savea will undergo surgery on his shoulder, which means he won’t likely play again before the start of the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season. He dislocated his shoulder during the third Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, which South Africa won 3-1. Savea’s backrow partner, Luke Jacobson, has already had surgery on a torn elbow tendon, while winger Caleb Clarke has a ruptured shoulder tendon. The All Blacks are preparing to face the Wallabies in the Bledisloe Cup Tests next month.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-26-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-65-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-75-cents and Bitcoin trades at 85-thousand-320-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-331-dollars-3-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 101-dollars-27-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….