News 14:00

BULLETIN 5 September 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Cosatu calls on the Financial Sector Conduct Authority to probe the alleged misuse of workers’ contributions
# Zille reiterates Hlope’s appointment in the judicial service commission is a conflict of interest
# And, rugby: Four changes are made to the All Blacks’ starting team for the Cape Town Test against the Boks

# Cosatu is calling on the Financial Sector Conduct Authority to conduct investigations into the alleged embezzlement of workers’ contributions at the Municipal Employees Pension Fund. This follows media reports of romantic gestures between the principal official of the fund, the late Margaret le Grange, and its administrator, the CEO of Akani, Zamani Letjane. Cosatu’s Zanele Sabela says the fund allegedly paid Akani Properties 333-million-rand to purchase land in 2018:

# The chairperson of the DA’s Federal Council, Helen Zille, says the appointment of impeached Judge John Hlophe to the Judicial Service Commission is a conflict of interest. Zille argues it’s irrational for a judge impeached for gross misconduct to serve on a body overseeing judicial appointments. She emphasised the need to protect the independence and integrity of South Africa’s judiciary:

# Detectives in Brits, North West, are appealing for public assistance in identifying 38 unknown bodies at the local Forensic Pathology Mortuary. Police spokesperson Amanda Funani revealed that most of the bodies, primarily those of men, were discovered at different locations around Brits since 2021. She calls on community members to help with the identification process:

# Rugby: All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson made four changes to his starting team for Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test against the Springboks in Cape Town. Will Jordan, Mark Tele’a and Sevu Reece form the new-look back three and Cortez Ratima starts at scrumhalf. Among the forwards, Wallace Sititi replaces injured Ethan Blackadder at blindside flanker. Experienced TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett start on the bench. Robertson says they are looking forward to play in a city with a rich rugby history and strong support for the All Blacks.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-74-cents and the euro at 19-rand-74-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-41-cents and Bitcoin trades at 56-thousand-716-dollars-28-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-515-dollars-89-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-98-cents a barrel.

# And finally, SANParks has confirmed that six elephants escaped from Kruger National Park, prompting a joint effort with Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency to return them. The situation intensified as community members blocked the escape route, creating a dangerous scene. Teams are still on the ground, working to safely drive the animals back. This incident follows a similar escape in August 2022, highlighting ongoing challenges in managing elephant movements near human settlements.

Stay tuned for more news………….