News 18:00

BULLETIN 19 September 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi suspects general Feroz Khan of feeding intelligence to Brown Mogotsi
# Giwusa says the Reserve Bank is protecting bankers’ profits while workers drown in debt
# And Rugby:  The stage is set for a thrilling Currie Cup final

# KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has told the Madlanga commission that he suspects senior crime intelligence officer, Feroz Khan, of leaking information to businessman Brown Mogotsi. Mkhwanazi said Mogotsi had informed him that Khan would brief him, suggesting Khan was providing updates. He stressed he was not accusing Khan of wrongdoing but said the matter should be fully investigated by the commission:

# The general industries union, Giwusa, says the South African Reserve Bank’s decision to keep the repo rate at seven-percent is a deliberate attack on the working class and poor. The union says the prime lending rate of 10.5-percent benefits banks while worsening the cost-of-living crisis, with staple food, electricity, and fuel prices soaring. Giwusa president Mametlwe Sebei calls for immediate interest rate cuts, price controls on essentials, nationalisation of major banks, and a mass public works programme:

# The Government Communication and Information System is hosting a G20 roundtable at Bluewater Bay in Gqeberha, focusing on port infrastructure, trade growth, and job creation. Eastern Cape Transnet Port Terminals’ managing executive, Wandisa Vazi, says Port Elizabeth, Ngqura, and East London ports, have seen over 500-million-rand in investment, boosting efficiency and employment. She highlights to SABC News partnerships with government to position the province for future trade and economic growth:

# The European Commission has proposed a 19th sanctions package targeting Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. All 27 EU member states will have to approve the plan. EU sources have told Reuters the commission will propose banning Russian liquefied natural gas imports by 1 January 2027. It comes after recent comments from US president Donald Trump, urging NATO countries to stop buying oil from Russia to help end the war in Ukraine. Trump said at a press conference yesterday if the oil price drops, “Putin’s going to drop out of the war”.

# Rugby: The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 Currie Cup when the Lions host Griquas in the final at Ellis Park tomorrow. The two teams have met once this season, with the Lions emerging as clear victors two weeks ago when they clinched top spot on the log with a 37-7 victory. That result will undoubtedly give the Lions a psychological edge heading into the final, but for Griquas that outcome will be the motivation to go one step further and create history. Saturday’s final will kick off at 3pm.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-36-cents and the euro at 20-rand-42-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-42-cents and Bitcoin trades at 116-thousand-301-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-660-dollars-69-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-57-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….