News 08:00

BULLETIN 26 July 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Shadrack Sibiya says Fannie Masemola disbanded the political killings task team
# A pastor from KwaZulu-Natal receives ten life terms for raping 12 children
# And rugby: The Pumas start their Currie Cup campaign with a bonus point win over Griquas

# Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has filed an urgent application at the Pretoria High Court seeking reinstatement after being placed on leave amid allegations by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi accuses Sibiya of obstructing justice and shielding politically connected suspects. According to New24, Sibiya claims that in January 2025, the disbandment of the police political killings task team and its 121 dockets was a directive from Police minister Senzo Mchunu via National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola. He urges the court to interdict Maseloma from instituting parallel actions against him.

# City Power has denounced reports of a raid and document seizure by the Hawks at its Johannesburg headquarters. Earlier claims suggested top executives, including CEO Tshifularo Mashava, were linked to dubious multi-million-rand contracts involving failed maintenance, inflated prices to purchase electricity infrastructure, and outsourced duties. City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena insists no raid, seizures, or interrogations occurred:

# A KwaZulu-Natal pastor has been sentenced to ten life terms and 70 additional years by the Nquthu Regional Court for the rape and sexual assault of 12 minors. The crimes, committed between 2020 and 2022 against children aged six to 14, came to light when a guardian overheard the victims talking and alerted police. National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara says the sentence sends a clear message to those who exploit positions of trust:

# Senior government officials say Thailand favours bilateral negotiation rather than third-party mediation to resolve its military conflict with Cambodia. Reuters reports that fighting along their disputed border continued unabated yesterday. Simmering border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have flared into open hostilities at multiple locations along the frontline in the heaviest fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in over a decade. There were exchanges of artillery for a second straight day yesterday.

# Sports news:

# Rugby: The Pumas started their Currie Cup campaign with a convincing 49-28 win over Griquas at their homeground at the Mbombela Stadium last night, also earning a bonus point. The hosts outscored their opponents by six tries to three. The Pumas were leading by 25-23 at half-time. Griquas’ game was marred by ill-discipline, and they had to endure three yellow cards. In other matches today, the Lions take on the Sharks in Johannesburg at 3 pm, and the Blue Bulls travel to Cape Town for their encounter with Western Province at 5 pm.

# And golf: The organisers of the Sunshine Tour announced that the Alfred Dunhill Championship will return to its historical roots in Johannesburg when it is played at the Royal Johannesburg Golf Club from 11 to 14 December. The Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour, Thomas Abt, says the hosting of the Alfred Dunhill Championship as well as the R&A Africa Amateur Championship in a short space of time placed the Leopard Creek course under stress, and it requires a period of recovery.

Stay tuned for more news………….