News 13:00

BULLETIN 17 September 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Madlanga commission kicks off its inquiry
# South Africa’s annual inflation eases to 3.3-percent in August and food prices soften
# And rugby: Rassie Erasmus keeps faith in the core of the Bok squad to face the Pumas

# The Madlanga commission of inquiry has opened its hearings into criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system. KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is the first witness to take the stand at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria. Evidence leader Terry Motau says Mkhwanazi’s explosive allegations will be examined openly and impartially. He adds a draft report is expected within three months, warning that obstructing the inquiry is a criminal offence:

Meanwhile, Build One South Africa is calling on president Cyril Ramaphosa to publicly commit to treating the commission’s findings and recommendations as if they were legally binding, although the commission’s findings will not be. BOSA says citizens are feeling fatigued by repeated inquiries that do not result in real action or reform.

# Statistics South Africa says annual consumer price inflation slowed to 3.3-percent in August, down from 3.5-percent in July. Price Statistics chief director Patrick Kelly says softer food and fuel prices helped ease the rate. Annual inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages dropped to 5.2-percent, while fuel fell 5.7-percent. Kelly says staples, including cereals and white rice, are cheaper, but beef and certain vegetables remain costly:

# Sixteen Foreign Affairs ministers have voiced concern for the safety of the Global Sumud Flotilla delivering aid to Gaza. The flotilla seeks to raise awareness of urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza and an end to the war. In a joint statement, the ministers from South Africa, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Ireland, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Pakistan, Qatar, Oman, Slovenia, Spain and Turkey, urged respect for international law. They warn that any attack, detention, or violation of participants’ rights would trigger accountability under international law.

# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named most of the players who were members of the squad that beat New Zealand last weekend in his squad for their closing two Rugby Championship matches against Argentina in Durban and London. The squad will assemble in Durban tomorrow after having a few days off with their families. Willie le Roux has been left out. Due to injuries Lood de Jager, Jean-Luc du Preez, Aphelele Fassi, Gerhard Steenekamp, Frans Malherbe, Salmaan Moerat, and Kurt-Lee Arendse will also not play.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-39-cents and the euro at 20-rand-60-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-74-cents and Bitcoin trades at 116-thousand-792-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-670-dollars-10-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-66-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….