News 14:00

BULLETIN 5 October 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC approaches the Constitutional Court in a last bid over the candidate dispute
# The accused in the murders of AKA and Tibz finally stand trial in Durban
# And soccer: Orlando Pirates seek to freeze 20.2-million-rand linked to alleged fraud

# The ANC is hopeful as the party approaches the Constitutional Court to make the final bid to have 181 candidates reinstated for next month’s local government elections. The party failed to meet the Electoral Commission’s August 28 deadline to submit proportional representation candidate lists in six municipalities. The Electoral Court then dismissed the party’s appeal. The ANC argues the candidates’ details had already been uploaded to the IEC’s system, but the final submission was not completed.

# The trial of the accused in the murders of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane starts in the High Court in Durban today. Seven accused face charges including conspiracy to commit murder, murder, attempted murder and firearm offences. Among them are brothers Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande, extradited from Eswatini in November last year. They allegedly played various roles in the shooting outside Wish restaurant on Durban’s Florida Road in February 2023.

# Forum for South Africa has welcomed the promotion of one-thousand-965 police officials to higher ranks, effective from this month. The promotions form part of the SAPS’s broader strategy to strengthen the organisation through capable leadership, professional policing, accountability and improved service delivery. The forum’s leader, Tebogo Mashilompane, says career progression can boost morale, but promotions must also bring greater accountability and responsibility:

# Soccer: Orlando Pirates have approached the High Court in Johannesburg to freeze 20.2-million-rand linked to alleged fraud within the club’s finance department. Court papers say a forensic investigation identified 742 suspicious payments and traced 20.2-million-rand in alleged unauthorised diversions since 2016. The club says the application is a precautionary measure to preserve funds while investigations continue. Pirates stress the individual concerned is cooperating, emphasising it remains committed to ensuring a fair process for everyone involved.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-67-cents and the euro at 18-rand-68-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-5-cents and Bitcoin trades at 86-thousand-50-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-155-dollars-96-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 106-dollars-17-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mamoloko Kubayi, says every learner has the opportunity to participate and excel in legal literacy programmes. She addressed the South African National Schools Moot Court Programme at the Constitutional Court. Kubayi says it provides learners with an opportunity to engage with constitutional rights and the protection of children in the digital age. She says young people are living proof the Constitution remains a responsive shield:

Stay tuned for more news………….