News 11:00

BULLETIN 8 September 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the fight against corruption is complex and multifaceted
# Government is being urged to declare a state of emergency against gang violence in the Western Cape
# And the SA superstar Tyla wins another VMA award

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the fight against corruption is complex, multifaceted and protracted, and requires the dismantling of systems of patronage that have become entrenched over many years. He received the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council’s final report over a week ago. The report includes a recommendation to establish a permanent, independent, overarching anti-corruption body. In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa says as the report points out, government needs to pursue institutional reform to address the shortcomings in practices and systems that have enabled corruption to flourish. 

Meanwhile, the DA is calling on government to establish a cyber commissioner as artificial intelligence-driven scams and digital banking fraud are increasing. According to the South African Banking Risk Information Centre, the number of digital banking fraud cases doubled between 2023 and last year, with financial losses increasing from one-billion- to 1.4-billion-rand. The DA’s Glynnis Breytenbach says South Africans deserve safer digital spaces and stronger protection against cybercrime:

# Activists and Citizens Forum says the killings in the Western Cape, especially in Cape Town, need urgent and drastic intervention to save the lives of innocent people in gang infested areas. Spokesperson Dennis Bloem says almost every week, South Africans hear of mass killings in African townships in Cape Town. He says government must consider declaring a state of emergency against gang violence in Western Cape communities:

# Golf: World number two Rory McIlroy clinched the Irish Open for the second time in a dramatic play-off against Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren. The Northern Irishman finished on 17-under-par alongside Lagergren, and then won the play-off at the third extra hole to claim his first victory since completing the career Grand Slam at the Masters in April. Spain’s Angel Hidalgo finished in a tie for third with compatriot Rafa Cabrera Bello. McIlroy says to win at home is extra special:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-55-cents and the euro at 20-rand-57-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-71-cents and Bitcoin trades at 111-thousand-179-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-599-dollars-77-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-47-cents a barrel.

# And finally, South African pop star Tyla won another MTV Video Music Awards at a ceremony in New York. She won in the best Afrobeats category for her hit single PUSH 2 START. The 23-year-old also won the same award last year for the smash hit Water. Lady Gaga was the big winner, grabbing four awards, including artist of the year, and best collaboration with Bruno Mars for Die With a Smile. Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter both won three VMAs each. The Video Vanguard Award went to Mariah Carey.

Stay tuned for more news………….