News 13:00

BULLETIN 21 September 1pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Lamola says the AfriForum-Solidarity US campaign is a distraction
# There is heightened security as Americans gather for a Kirk memorial
# And motorsport: Verstappen claims the pole position at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix

# International Relations and Cooperation minister, Ronald Lamola, says AfriForum and Solidarity’s planned US delegation is a total distraction. The groups say they aim to meet stakeholders to advocate for South Africa. Earlier this year, AfriForum travelled to the US, claiming Afrikaners face genocide and are losing land through expropriation without compensation. Speaking to SABC News in New York, Lamola insists they seek to portray the country negatively:

# Sakeliga has warned of dire consequences after the City of Ekurhuleni expropriated a 64-million-rand property without compensation for a housing project. Sakeliga CEO Piet le Roux says the 34-hectare Driefontein property was seized in 2019. Le Roux confirmed that the case heads to mediation in October and trial in February 2026. He says it demonstrates government intent to pursue expropriation without compensation and is preparing legal and diplomatic action:

 # NotInMyName International has voiced support for KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi following his testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. Spokesperson Themba Masango says his revelations expose deep corruption and ethical decay within politics and the criminal justice system. Masango praised Mkhwanazi’s integrity, and patriotic act of courage. He urges the government and the Commission, to ensure this moment drives reform and restores accountability in the justice system:

# President Donald Trump and other prominent American political figures are heading to Arizona amidst heightened security, to speak at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative activist who was killed two weeks ago at an outdoor event at a Utah university. Public shootings in the US are normally met with calls from political leaders for calm, prayer, and unity. But the Trump administration has been seeking to blame and crack down on the “radical left”, which in turn has prompted accusations of government overreach and claims Kirk’s death is being used as a pretext to intrude on civil liberties.

# And sports news:

# Rugby: Lions coach Mziwakhe Nkosi praised his rival Peter Bergh after the Kimberley side masterminded a shock 27-25 Currie Cup final victory at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon. The visitors settled the tie with a George Whitehead penalty from the final kick of the game, ending a 55-year trophy drought and condemning the Lions to a second successive Currie Cup final defeat. Nkosi said they are extremely disappointed, especially after they have done enough to win. But he added that nothing can be taken away from Peter Bergh and his team, particularly from a tactical point of view.

# And motorsport: Max Verstappen grabbed his sixth pole position of the season for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on the Baku street circuit Saturday after a chaotic qualifying session with at least seven crashes. Red Bull’s reigning world champion will have the Spaniard Carlos Sainz of Williams next to him on the grid, with the New Zealander Liam Lawson of Racing Bulls third. World championship leader Oscar Piastri will start from ninth on the grid after a crash, two places behind his McLaren teammate Lando Norris. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton ran out of fuel during the session and will start twelfth.

Stay tuned for more news………….