News 16:00

BULLETIN 15 September 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Public Protector investigates the RAF’s CEO over a four-million-rand armoured BMW
# Rubio meets Netanyahu to voice unease with Israel’s airstrike in Qatar
# And rugby: A French flanker faces a long suspension after being cited for biting an Irish opponent during the Women’s World Cup

# The Public Protector will probe embattled Road Accident Fund CEO Collins Letsoalo over allegations he spent over ten-million-rand of public funds on security over three-years. Allegations also include a four-million-rand armoured BMW X5 and employing nine bodyguards. A whistleblower claims some guards protect his wife and children. This makes him the most protected State Owned Enterprise boss with more security than ministers. Letsoalo claims the security is justified over threats linked to his anti-fraud work, however, the Transport Department says no threats were reported.

# Higher Education and Training minister Buti Manamela says National Student Financial Aid Scheme applications for the next academic year will open tomorrow with a new simplified digital system. He told the media the platform is designed to expedite approvals and minimise errors, making it easier for students to apply online. Manamela adds the process comes with a stricter deadline to ensure timely finalisation before classes begin:

# The DA in Gauteng has expressed concern at the increase in sexual assault and teenage pregnancy, which it says has reached pandemic levels. Over 23-thousand-691 cases of teenage pregnancies have been reported in the province from January to December last year, while 521 babies were delivered by girls between the ages of 10 and 14 years in a facility. The DA’s Solly Msimanga says the high number of pregnancies in the 10-to-14 age group is deeply concerning, as this is statutory rape:

Moving abroad:

# US secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Israel’s vital ally voices unease over air strikes on Qatar that threaten to derail already flailing attempts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza. Rubio scheduled a solidarity visit a week before a French-led summit at the United Nations to recognise a Palestinian state. President Donald Trump’s administration was caught off guard last week when Israel carried out an attack in Qatar against Hamas leaders who were meeting to discuss a new US ceasefire proposal for Gaza.

# Rugby: French flanker Axelle Berthoumieu faces a lengthy time on the sidelines if found guilty of biting Irish opponent Aiofe Wafer during yesterday’s Women’s World Cup quarterfinal in Exeter, England. Ireland’s captain, Sam Monaghan, raised the issue with the referees during the second half, but it wasn’t dealt with on the field. She faces a disciplinary hearing today. The punishment for a low-end biting offence is a 12-week suspension. France won the match 18-13 and will face the hostesses in Saturday’s semifinal.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-31-cents and the euro at 20-rand-37-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-57-cents and Bitcoin trades at 114-thousand-960-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-638-dollars-44-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-87-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….