News 13:00

BULLETIN 14 July 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A murdered Johannesburg boy’s mother appears in court in connection with his death
# RISE Mzansi welcomes the inquiry into the KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner’s allegations
# And the IEC rejects the registration of the Islamic State of Africa as a political party

# The mother of eleven-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek, Tiffany Nicole Meek, appeared at the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court in Gauteng today accused of her son’s murder. The Grade 6 learner was found dead outside his Fleurhof home in Johannesburg in May, bruised and partially unclothed, shortly after his mother reported him missing. Magistrate Ruby Mathyss postponed the case to Friday for a formal bail application. The community continues to demand justice after the young boy’s tragic death.

# RISE Mzansi has welcomed the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry into the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. He accused minister of Police Senzo Mchunu of political interference in police investigations, amongst other things. The commission will investigate allegations relating to the infiltration of law enforcement, intelligence and associated institutions within the criminal justice system by criminal syndicates. RISE Mzansi’s Makashule Gana says placing Mchunu on special leave is critical, as it will leave no space for interference:

# The Electoral Commission of South Africa has rejected the registration of the Islamic State of Africa party. The party’s founder, Farhad Hoomer, has previously been accused of terrorism in South Africa. The IEC rejected ISA’s application on three grounds. First, the party failed to meet the required 300 signatures from registered voters. Second, ISA published the notice of its application in a newspaper that is only circulated in small parts of the eThekwini municipality. Third, is that the IEC received more than 200 objections to the formation of the party.

# The agricultural organisation TLU SA is concerned about any import of chicken products from Brazil at this stage. The government has partially lifted the ban on poultry imports from the South American country. The Department of Agriculture is now allowing imports from all Brazilian states except Rio Grande do Sul, where bird flu was detected. TLU SA’s Bennie van Zyl says stringent biosecurity measures need to be implemented:

# Athletics: Team South Africa is approaching a remarkable 130-medal tally at the 11th edition of the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Youth Games in Windhoek and Swakopmund in Namibia. The swimming squad secured 49 medals, field athletes 31, and the netball team successfully defended their title, beating Malawi in a tight final. South Africa won the gold medal in women’s indoor volleyball against Mozambique. The games conclude tomorrow.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-86-cents and the euro at 20-rand-87-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-1-cent and Bitcoin trades at 122-thousand-127-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-367-dollars-43-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 70-dollars-18-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….