News 13:00

BULLETIN 20 August 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Three people are arrested in connection with the attack on DA MPs in Cape Town
# SECTION27 asks for urgent action in the Life Esidimeni case
# And rugby: Jesse Kriel says the Springbok’s leaders should have stood up at Ellis Park

# Cape Town’s mayoral committee member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, has confirmed three arrests following an attempted robbery targeting DA MPs in Philippi. Police portfolio committee chairperson Ian Cameron fired a shot in self-defence, wounding one suspect which is now under police guard in hospital. CCTV footage led to two more arrests. Speaking to SABC News, Smith praised the swift collaboration between the city’s law enforcement and the police:

# SECTION27 has welcomed the National Prosecuting Authority’s indication that it is moving towards a prosecution decision in the Life Esidimeni tragedy, but raised concern over delays. Families of the 144 victims met with the NPA this week, where it emerged prosecutions may be limited to only two deaths. SECTION27 says this is unjust and a betrayal of the victims’ families. It urges the NPA to act swiftly and hold all those responsible fully accountable.

# South Africa’s red meat industry is grappling with the ongoing foot and mouth disease outbreak, compounded by a shortage of vaccines. Red Meat Industry Services CEO, Dewald Olivier, says the current outbreak remains localised in certain areas, and containment zones together with movement restrictions are in place to limit further spread. He says the concern is the shortage of vaccines nationwide. Red Meat Producers’ Organisation CEO, Frikkie Maré, says there are still new cases being reported as the government and the industry work to control the outbreak.

# Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dion George, says the dismantling of a major transnational rhino horn trafficking network is a decisive victory. Six suspected members of a syndicate that is linked to a fraudulent scheme involving 964 rhino horns worth millions of rands, destined for illegal markets in Southeast Asia, have been arrested. George says the suspects defrauded the department by securing permits under false pretences to buy and sell rhino horns domestically, while funnelling them into illegal international markets:

# Rugby: Stand-in Springbok captain Jesse Kriel says their leaders should have stood up in last weekend’s Rugby Championship Test against the Wallabies at Ellis Park, which South Africa lost 38-22. He leads the Boks in Saturday’s re-match in Cape Town in place of injured Siya Kolisi. Kriel can’t put his finger on the exact problem, but realises they will have to sort that out. Coach Rassie Erasmus made ten changes to his starting 15, bringing back experienced players such as Willie le Roux, Handré Pollard and Cheslin Kolbe.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-50-cents and the euro at 20-rand-60-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-89-cents and Bitcoin trades at 113-thousand-801-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-326-dollars-10-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-8-cents a barrel. 

Stay tuned for more news………….