News 08:00

BULLETIN 17 September 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The EFF slams the Department of Trade and Industry for corruption and underperformance
# The Department of Defence is criticised for spending over 20-million-rand on travel expenses
# And Joburg Water says its water systems remain constrained

# The EFF says the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition has abandoned its core mandate, and is driven by distractions that serve the ANC’s internal agendas. This is in response to the department’s quarters two and three performance for 2024/2025. The EFF’s Sinawo Thambo has slammed the department for corruption, underperformance, and political patronage. He singled out the 347-million-rand achieved in manufacturing exports, against a target of 1.5-billion-rand:

# ActionSA has criticised the Department of Defence and Military Veterans for spending over 20-million-rand on travel expenses. In a written reply to a parliamentary question, minister Angie Motshekga provided a breakdown of how she, her two deputies, and support staff spent taxpayers’ money on 22 international trips to Russia, Angola, China, Saudi Arabia, France, and other countries. ActionSA’s Lerato Ngobeni says this is the portrait of a government that gorges itself on luxury, while soldiers who put their lives on the line are denied the most basic support.

# Johannesburg Water states that the Alexander Park reservoir and the Berea water system remain constrained due to consistently high demand. The metro is facing a water crisis, with illegal water connections being a major contributor. Johannesburg Water’s spokesperson, Pheladi Ramatshila, says they are monitoring reservoirs closely, including Alexandra, to reach optimal levels for distribution:

# Twenty-two-year-old Tyler Robinson has been formally charged with the murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. He has been charged with seven counts: aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, two counts of obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering, and committing a violent crime when children are present. Kirk was killed during an event at Utah Valley University last Wednesday. Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray says Robinson’s DNA was found on the trigger of the gun used to kill Kirk:

# Rugby: French flanker Axelle Berthoumieu’s 12-match ban for biting Irish opponent Aiofe Wafer during Sunday’s Women’s World Cup quarterfinal has been reduced to nine matches. This follows her appeal on the length of her suspension. A disciplinary committee said Berthoumieu’s admission of guilt, clean disciplinary record, remorse, and public apology were sufficient mitigation to reduce the ban. Meanwhile, France will also be without Manae Feleu for Saturday’s semifinal against England after her two-match ban for a dangerous tackle was upheld.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-35-cents and the euro at 20-rand-58-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-68-cents and Bitcoin trades at 116-thousand-701-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-683-dollars-3-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….