News 16:00

BULLETIN 3 September 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The MK Party accuses Ramaphosa of abandoning the Cape Flats amid rising bloodshed
# Murray and Roberts secures an additional 80-million-rand in business rescue funding
# And rugby: More women’s franchises are in the pipeline for South Africa next year

# The MK Party says the Cape Flats in Cape Town have become a killing zone while president Cyril Ramaphosa and the government of national unity do nothing. The party claims the state has lost control of the area, with drug cartels and warlords terrorising residents while innocent people, including children, are killed daily. Spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela warns if Ramaphosa fails to declare a state of emergency, communities may be forced to protect themselves:

# South African engineering and contracting group of companies, Murray and Roberts Holdings Limited’s business rescue practitioners have secured an additional 80-million-rand in post-commencement finance. The group entered into voluntary business rescue in November last year. Practitioner Josh Cunliffe says funding to date has been instrumental in stabilising Murray and Roberts’ business rescue proceedings. He adds the funding has also enabled them to manage unavoidable retrenchments and honour statutory severance obligations to affected employees in full:

# The ANC says it salutes South African activists who joined the Global Sumud Flotilla in solidarity with the Palestinian people. The party described their mission as a non-violent stand against Israel’s blockade of Gaza and a powerful statement for justice and human rights. ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu says the flotilla echoes South Africa’s own struggle for liberation. Bhengu urged the government to provide full support to citizens participating in this international solidarity mission.

# The Southern African Development Community has deployed its electoral observation mission to Malawi’s general elections scheduled for 16 September. Headed by former Eswatini deputy prime minister, Themba Masuku, the mission will monitor presidential, parliamentary, and local polls across all 28 districts. Observers will assess pre-election activities, polling day, and post-election processes to ensure free, fair, and credible elections. The mission officially launches tomorrow, with a preliminary statement expected on 18 September.

# Rugby: Springbok Women coach Swys de Bruin says there are lots of plans for the women’s game in South Africa from next year, including more professional franchises. The Bulls Daisies is currently the only one. De Bruin says the gap between the men’s and women’s teams is still massive. Former national women’s coach, Stanley Raubenheimer, believes South Africa is sitting on a goldmine that should be seriously explored. The Bok Women qualified for the World Cup quarterfinals for the very first time the past weekend.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-64-cents and the euro at 20-rand-55-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-66-cents and Bitcoin trades at 111-thousand-623-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-543-dollars-58-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-66-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….