News 08:00

BULLETIN 23 August 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Institute of Race Relations hands over 17-thousand signatures against race laws
# A Ukrainian attack suspends Russian oil flows to Hungary and Slovakia
# And rugby: A brilliant Boland Kavaliers score a win against the Pumas

# The Institute of Race Relations says the government should focus on policies that make it easier for businesses to hire workers. The organisation has handed over a petition with more than 17-thousand signatures to the Department of Employment and Labour, calling for an end to race-based laws. The institute’s Makone Maja, warns that race-based laws discourage investment and worsen unemployment, which has now risen to 33.2-percent:

# A Malawian national has been arrested in Eden Park, in Ekurhuleni, for allegedly producing and selling fraudulent documents. The Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department and police raided an internet café following a tip-off, where they discovered boxes filled with fake school reports, passports, asylum permits, and medical certificates. The suspect faces fraud and immigration charges and will appear in the Palmridge Magistrate’s Court soon.

# The City of Cape Town is offering a reward of up to 100-thousand-rand for information after the Swartklip Road pump station in Tafelsig was vandalised. Criminals destroyed equipment after illegal electricity connections were disconnected, leaving the pumps unable to work. Mayoral committee member for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, says thousands of Mitchells Plain residents are now at risk of sewer overflows:

# Russian oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia could be suspended for at least five days after a Ukrainian strike on a facility in Russia. Ukraine and Russia have stepped up attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure, hitting Ukrainian domestic heating supplies, Russia’s Druzhba pipeline, and other facilities, over the past few weeks. This comes as US President Donald Trump pushed for a deal to end the conflict. EU members Slovakia and Hungary have maintained relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and opposed sanctions against Russia. They also oppose the phase-out of Russian energy supplies via the Druzhba pipeline.

# And rugby: Boland Kavaliers delivered an emphatic come-from-behind performance in the Currie Cup season as they fought back from 23 points down to beat the Pumas 29-26 at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. Hawies Fourie and his men have won four from their five league matches, with the only loss coming against the Griquas in Round Two in Kimberley. The win sees the Boland move to 21 log points and become the first team to book their spot in the playoffs, with two league games still left to play.

Also on Friday night, the Sharks beat Western Province 29-21 in their Currie Cup clash in Durban. Both sides struggled to build momentum, and the match remained scoreless until the 20th minute, when Western Province capitalised on an offside advantage to score the opening try. The Sharks scored four tries against Western Province’s three. After five matches and only one victory, the Sharks are now seventh on the log with six points, with Western Province at the bottom with one point.

The Cheetahs and the Lions meet each other at two this afternoon, with the last Currie Cup match for the weekend, Sunday at three, between the Bulls and Griquas.

Stay tuned for more news………….