News 13:00

BULLETIN 11 September 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Three children are killed when a taxi crashes into a Pietermaritzburg crèche
# The Constitutional Court rules that men can assume their wives’ surnames
# And rugby: Four changes for the Wallabies for the clash with Argentina

# Three children aged between nine and eleven have been killed when a taxi ploughed into a crèche in Imbali, Pietermaritzburg. According to SABC News, eleven others sustained injuries, with two in critical condition. It is believed the driver lost control. Emergency services rushed to the scene to assist the injured, while police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

# The Constitutional Court has made a historic ruling that men can now legally adopt their wives’ surnames, declaring parts of Section 26 of the Births and Deaths Registration Act unconstitutional. The case, brought by two couples, argued discrimination on gender. Justice Leona Theron said the norm was rooted in colonial patriarchy placing women in inferior positions. She gave Parliament 24-months to amend the law to align with constitutional equality:

# Acting minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia, and deputy minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Andries Nel, say they are committed to more visible policing and leveraging technology to protect courts. In the latest incident, a man was killed and two others wounded in a shooting outside the Athlone Magistrate’s Court in Cape Town last week. Police ministry’s spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, says they are considering wider use of video links to reduce the transport of remand detainees:

# Rugby: Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has made four changes to the side that will take on Argentina in the second Rugby Championship Test in Sydney on Saturday. Veteran prop James Slipper returns from injury to earn his 149th cap. Tane Edmed will play in the starting team for the first time, replacing injured Tom Lynagh in one of two changes to the backs. Centre Hunter Paisami replaces Len Ikitau and will partner with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. Jeremy Williams returns to the second row in the starting-15 alongside Tom Hooper.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-55-cents and the euro at 20-rand-51-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-70-cents and Bitcoin trades at 113-thousand-991-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-618-dollars-1-cent a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-15-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The finalists for the 14th Eco-Logic Awards have been announced. The awards recognise achievements across 12 categories, including climate change solutions, water conservation, circular economy projects, eco-fashion, and community-driven programmes. The finalists include Sanccob, Wildlife ACT Innovations, Re.Bag.Re.Use and The Sustainability Institute. Founder of the awards, David Parry-Davies, says the finalists represent the very best of South Africa’s eco-champions. The winners will be announced on October 27.

Stay tuned for more news………….