News 08:00

BULLETIN 12 October 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA seeks a review of the non-prosecution in the Phala Phala scandal
# Deputy minister Hlengwa condemns reckless driving after the tragic N2 accident

# And, rugby: The Springbok women are anticipated to end with a bang against Italy

# The DA plans to request a review of the Limpopo director of Public Prosecutions Ivy Thenga’s decision not to prosecute anyone in the Phala Phala scandal. DA Spokesperson on Justice and Constitutional Development, Glynnis Breytenbach, says the party criticised the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s probe, calling it lacking in transparency. She says the DA will write to National Prosecuting Authority head Shamila Batohi, urging a review and requesting an explanation before Parliament’s Justice Committee.

# Transport deputy minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa has condemned reckless driving following the tragic deaths of seven learners and their driver in a crash on the N2 near Mandeni in KwaZulu-Natal. The learners were en route to school when their vehicle collided with a truck, killing the truck driver. The minister urged road vigilance and extended condolences to the grieving families:

# The corruption case against former Transnet executives Brian Molefe, Anoj Singh, and others has been postponed to 31 January next year for further particulars by the High Court in Johannesburg. This is regarding a 54-billion-rand tender in 2012. Investigating Directorate Against Corruption’s Henry Mamothame says charges also stem from irregularities in the contract’s expansion of 30-billion-rand:

# A record number of fires in Peru have wreaked havoc across the country’s ecosystems as grasslands, dry forests, coastal areas, and the Amazon were set ablaze. In northern Peru, spectacled bears fled burning dry forests to nearby towns, while jaguars in the southern Amazon, with nowhere to flee, were left charred on trees. Environmentalists say aside from less rainfall and higher temperatures, a failed government response and human-started fires led to widespread destruction. Record fires have been recorded across South America with Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay the worst affected.

# And, rugby: The Springbok Women aim for a strong finish in their final WXV 2 match against Italy at Athlone Stadium, Cape Town this afternoon. The two teams have only played twice, with the previous match just under 12 months ago, in which the Italians won 36-18. Assistant coach Franzel September emphasised the importance of maintaining upward momentum and better execution:

Stay tuned for more news………….