News 07:00

BULLETIN 11 September 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Judge Nkosinathi Chili will today explain why he refused Zuma’s application
# The Socio-Economic Rights Institute criticises the state over Marikana
# And new sanctions are imposed on Iran for supplying missiles to Russia

# Former president Jacob Zuma’s arms deal case returns to the Pietermaritzburg High Court today. Judge Nkosinathi Chili is expected to provide reasons for dismissing Zuma’s second attempt to remove lead prosecutor Billy Downer in the matter. In March he ruled that the former president had not made a case for Downer’s removal on allegations he would not get a fair trial. Zuma faces corruption, fraud, theft, and racketeering charges for allegedly taking bribes from French arms manufacturer Thales, the second accused in the matter.

# ActionSA has expressed concern over the Department of Justice’s failure to support the National Prosecuting Authority in state capture investigations. The NPA revealed before the Portfolio Committee on Justice that, despite promises from former minister Ronald Lamola, it still lacks access to crucial evidence. ActionSA’s Matthew George stressed the need for unrestricted access to state capture records and protection of the NPA’s independence:

# The Socio-Economic Rights Institute says the failure to hold accountable those responsible for the Marikana massacre is a betrayal of justice. This comes after the Mahikeng High Court acquitted six police officers who were standing trial for their involvement in the events of 13 August 2012, which resulted in the deaths of three mineworkers and two police officers. On August 16, 34 miners were shot and killed in Marikana. Seri says the state has failed to uphold victims’ rights to an effective remedy.

# A former Cape Town mayoral committee member is expected to appear in a local court soon following his arrest in the Eastern Cape on charges of corruption and fraud. The 46-year-old Malusi Booi was removed from the Human Settlements portfolio last year after police raided his office as part of an investigation. The man is accused of accepting cash from suspected organised crime members in exchange for information relating to housing tenders. The DA suspended him from the party’s activities, and he eventually resigned in October.

# The US, Britain, France, and Germany have imposed new sanctions on Iran for supplying Russia with ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine. The US has also imposed sanctions on Russian and Iranian officials and companies involved in the weapons transfers. Iran has already provided Russia with hundreds of drones that have already been used against Ukraine. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Russia has now received shipments of ballistic missiles from Iran and will likely use them within weeks:

# Cricket: England captain Jos Buttler will miss at least the three-match T20 series against Australia starting in Southampton today. He is nursing a calf injury and the team will be led by Phil Salt. Buttler is also a doubt for the one-day internationals, and Harry Brook is expected to take over as captain if he isn’t fit. The second T20 will be played in Cardiff on Friday and the final one in Manchester on Sunday, followed by the five ODI’s from next Thursday until the 29th.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-92-cents and the euro at 19-rand-79-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-47-cents and Bitcoin trades at 56-thousand-923-dollars-15-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-518-dollars-9-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 69-dollars-50-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….