News 09:00

BULLETIN 26 September 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# SAFTU calls for the immediate reinstatement of Masemola
# Parliament committees raise concern over groundwater pollution at Eskom’s Kusile Power Station
# And soccer, Ellis targets 2028 Olympic qualification with Banyana Banyana

# The South African Federation of Trade Unions is calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to immediately lift the precautionary suspension of National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola. The charges against Masemola over the SAPS Medicare24 tender were withdrawn in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, after the National Director of Public Prosecutions found there were no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution. SAFTU’s Asive Dyani is also concerned about the questions surrounding the initiation of the prosecution:

# Parliament’s Portfolio Committees on Electricity and Energy, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, and Water and Sanitation have raised concerns over continued groundwater contamination linked to pollution sources at Eskom’s Kusile Power Station. The committees cited recurring poor water quality, siltation of pollution-control dams, damaged dam liners and weaknesses in the station’s closed-loop water-management system. Eskom says 25 of 41 corrective actions have been completed, with improvements in surface-water quality. The committees are calling for independent water-quality monitoring and a revised rehabilitation plan with clear timelines and enforcement measures.

# The government and the New Development Bank have signed a loan agreement worth about three-billion-rand to support a bulk water supply project in Limpopo. The funding will go towards the first stage of the Olifants Management Model Programme. The project will provide water to communities and industrial users in Mogalakwena Municipality, using water from the Flag Boshielo Dam on the Olifants River. The National Treasury says the project is expected to strengthen water security and support economic activity in the region.

# The National Council of the SPCA is investigating the death of SAPS service dog Sky at the Roodeplaat facility, in Pretoria. The Council has inspected the facility but says it is still waiting for vital information and supporting documents before the investigation can be concluded. Meanwhile, the chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, says the organisation is also reviewing SAPS policies and procedures for the welfare of police animals. He wants clarity on outstanding information, access to police records and facilities, and whether any immediate animal-welfare risks require intervention.

# Soccer: Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis says qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games is a priority after South Africa missed the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Ellis named her squad against Madagascar ahead of their encounter in Bloemfontein on 9 and 13 October. She says victory would send Banyana into the third round, where they could meet Angola or Namibia:

# And finally, the Johannesburg Metro Police Department warns motorists of significant traffic disruptions in Orlando, Soweto, today, ahead of the Bafana Bafana match against Guinea at the Orlando Arena. Road closures will start from 10 am, affecting routes including the N17, Soweto Highway, Klipspruit Valley Road, Martha Louw Street and Mooki Street. JMPD’s Xolani Fihla urges motorists to plan their routes, use alternative roads and for spectators to arrive early, with kick-off scheduled for 3 pm:

Stay tuned for more news………….