News 14:00

BULLETIN 23 August 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA in Gauteng says health corruption is still rampant three years after Babita Deokaran’s murder
# A search is underway for trapped illegal miners in Rustenburg
# And. Basic Education celebrates the life of popular Mathematics and Science teacher, William Smith

# The DA in Gauteng says today is three years since the assassination of Babita Deokaran, but the mastermind who ordered her murder has not been found, and the rampant corruption she tried to stop continues in the provincial Department of Health. The DA’s Jack Bloom says although six men have been jailed for Deokaran’s murder, it appears little is being done to find the mastermind in an investigation marred by incompetence:

# A search operation is ongoing for two suspected illegal miners trapped under a rockfall in Rustenburg, North West. Community members and families anxiously await their retrieval. Residents say this incident underscores the persistent issue of illegal mining in the area, sparking calls for government intervention. Authorities emphasise that illegal mining violates national laws and contributes to economic crimes, including illicit financial flows and violence.

# A Namibian man was given a 15-year prison sentence for causing the deaths of six people in a horror crash almost ten years ago. Jandré Dippenaar in June became the first person in the country to be convicted of murder after a car accident. The Regional Court in Swakopmund also found he didn’t have a valid driver’s license when he overtook vehicles on a blind rise near Henties Bay in December 2014, crashing head-on into an oncoming vehicle. Only Dippenaar and one other occupant survived.

# Now sports news: Sport, Arts, and Culture minister Gayton McKenzie has pledged 67-million-rand worth of equipment to minority sporting codes to address transformation, development, and inequalities. In a meeting with deputy president Paul Mashatile, they discussed social cohesion and nation-building. McKenzie also emphasised the importance of tackling gender-based violence in sport, through the assistance of a reporting hotline:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-93-cents and the euro at 19-rand-94-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-54-cents and Bitcoin trades at 61-thousand-56-dollars-74-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-497-dollars-47-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-79-cents a barrel.

# And finally, the Department of Basic Education says it celebrates the life of the mathematics and science teacher well-known for his lessons on television, William Smith, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 85. Minister Siviwe Gwarube says the department is deeply saddened by his passing, but also celebrates him for his innovative way of teaching learners. Gwarube says he has indeed made a significant contribution to the lives of many:

Stay tuned for more news………….