News 11:00

BULLETIN 15 September 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ramaphosa says government is building a more accountable and capable Public Service
# Utah’s governor says Charlie Kirk’s alleged shooter is not cooperating with authorities
# And rugby: The four highest-ranked teams will contest the Women’s World Cup semifinals

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says when the Public Service operates at its best, it is a powerful instrument for social and economic development, but when it falters, it’s the most vulnerable citizens who bear the brunt. September is Public Service Month. In his weekly newsletter, the president says the Public Service faces significant challenges, including skills gaps and corruption. Ramaphosa says government is strengthening the professional foundations of the Public Service through reforms to attract the right skills and implement rigorous performance management.

# Patriotic Alliance leader, Gayton McKenzie, says the investigation into his deputy, Kenny Kunene, is almost complete, nearly two months after he was suspended. Kunene is being investigated after he was found at the home of Katiso “KT” Molefe in July. Molefe is the alleged mastermind of the murder of Oupa Sefoka, popularly known as DJ Sumbody. McKenzie says although the suspension was set down for 30 days, due processes are being followed: 

# The UDM is calling on government to come with plans to address the ongoing forensic backlog. Acting secretary general Zandile Phiri says nationally, the backlog is compounded by over 140-thousand pending DNA case entries as of May. These include more than 28-thousand court-bound cases, many of which involve gender-based violence, femicide, and other violent crimes. Phiri says these delays prevent timely prosecutions and undermine public confidence in the justice system:

Moving abroad:

# Utah’s governor, Spencer Cox, says the suspect accused of killing right-wing activist Charlie Kirk is not cooperating with authorities, but his family members are. Twenty-two-year-old Tyler Robinson was arrested last Thursday evening following a 33-hour manhunt. Kirk, an ally of president Donald Trump, was speaking at Utah Valley University at an event held by Turning Point USA, the organisation he co-founded, when he was shot and killed last Wednesday. Cox says Robinson will be formally charged tomorrow:

# Rugby: The four highest-ranked teams are through to the Women’s World Cup semifinals. Defending champions New Zealand thrashed South Africa 46–17 to set up a mouth-watering semifinal against Canada, ranked number two in the world, on Friday. Canada defeated Australia 46–5 in the quarterfinals. On the other side of the draw, hostesses and world number one, England, will meet France in a blockbuster semifinal in Exeter on Saturday. England thrashed Scotland 40-8 while France narrowly beat Ireland 18-13 in the quarterfinals.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-37-cents and the euro at 20-rand-38-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-58-cents and Bitcoin trades at 116-thousand-275-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-636-dollars-44-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-96-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….