News 07:00

BULLETIN 28 September 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa reiterates his call for men to stand up against gender‑based violence and femicide
# Feroz Khan is scheduled to return to the Madlanga Commission today
# And cricket: The Proteas clinch the ODI series against Australia

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for greater action against perpetrators of gender-based violence and femicide, and for men to protect women. He was speaking after attending an Evangelical Presbyterian Church service in Alberton yesterday, where the church highlighted the scourge of violence against women. In recent months, the bodies of eleven women have been discovered across Ekurhuleni. Ramaphosa said respect for women must be taught as a basic recognition of their humanity, rather than as an act of generosity:

# The UDM has welcomed the Department of Basic Education’s 2026 Foundation Phase National Catalogue, saying it could strengthen reading outcomes for Grades One to Three. UDM chairperson, Yongama Zigebe, says increasing the number of reading books from 12 to 40 per class, with a core reader for every learner, is a meaningful improvement. However, he says the catalogue will only succeed if learners have the correct books when schools reopen in 2027, teachers are supported, and reading fluency and comprehension improve:

# Fired deputy Crime Intelligence head Feroz Khan is due back before the Madlanga Commission today; however, evidence leaders have filed an application for parts of his evidence to be held in camera. The application relates to certain WhatsApp communications and documents involving Khan. He was a no-show for his subpoenaed appearance on September first, with his lawyers telling the commission that he was recovering from an alleged attempted assassination on 28 June. The commission ordered Khan to undergo an independent medical assessment to determine whether he can testify.

# Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has condemned the deadly shooting at a tavern in Wedela, Carletonville, which claimed 17 lives and left 15 people injured on Saturday night. Preliminary reports indicate about eight armed men entered the tavern and opened fire on patrons inside and outside. Five people were killed outside and 12 inside the premises. Lesufi says the suspects, reportedly armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols, allegedly stole cellphones before fleeing in two vehicles, which were later set alight:

# US president Donald Trump called the arrest of five men near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England yesterday, “fantastic,” saying the US and Britain had the men under investigation for a long time. The men were apprehended on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences after the bomb squad was called to a major incident near the military airbase. Trump says the men were “looking to do big damage” to the facility, which America has used to launch defensive operations against Iran.

# Cricket: The Proteas defeated Australia by 32 runs in the second ODI at the Wanderers in Johannesburg to clinch the three-match series with one match left to play. Captain Temba Bavuma and David Miller scored 103 and 142, respectively, and added 156 for the fourth wicket as South Africa posted 365 for nine. In reply, a 130-run opening partnership of Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh was not enough as Australia were bowled out for 333. The series concludes in Potchefstroom on Wednesday, followed by three Tests.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-34-cents and the euro at 18-rand-61-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-64-cents and Bitcoin trades at 83-thousand-755-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-213-dollars-24-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 102-dollars-52-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….