News 07:00

BULLETIN 27 September 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The head of prosecutions in KwaZulu-Natal says  Mchunu’s decision created a crisis for political investigations
# Netanyahu says recognising a Palestinian state rewards anti-Semites
# And rugby: It’s a win for the Stormers and a defeat for the Sharks in the URC

# KwaZulu-Natal Director of Public Prosecutions, Elaine Harrison, has told the Madlanga commission that Police minister Senzo Mchunu’s decision to disband the political killings task team created a crisis for investigations into political killings. Harrison said the move disrupted dedicated prosecutors, delayed case progress, and left the office uncertain about the team’s status, while ongoing cases and victims’ interests were put at risk:

Harrison also says the National Prosecuting Authority cannot be blamed for delays in political killings cases caused by the removal of the political killings task team’s 121 dockets. Harrison said taking the dockets away disrupted ongoing investigations and slowed case finalisation, despite the NPA’s dedicated prosecutors continuing to work on the matters:

# The DA in Tshwane has launched a probe into a 23-million-rand debt owed to the City by Mzansi Resorts, owned by ANC deputy mayor Eugene Modise. DA Tshwane leader Cilliers Brink accused mayor Nasiphi Moya of shielding Modise while residents face high bills and power cuts. Brink says the DA will submit the matter to the Auditor General for accountability:

# The prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, told the UN General Assembly yesterday that “every government” should follow Donald Trump’s lead in refusing to recognise a Palestinian state. Dozens of delegates walked out of the hall as Netanyahu started his address, of around 40 minutes, instead of the allocated 15. Netanyahu said those recognising a Palestinian state are rewarding the worst anti-Semites on earth. He added that this “disgraceful decision will encourage terrorism against Jews and against innocent people everywhere.”

# And finally: Rugby news

# Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick billed their penultimate Rugby Championship match against the Pumas in Durban today as a “semi-final”. They say they will treat the visitors with the “respect” they deserve going into the crucial encounter. With the Wallabies, Boks, All Blacks, and Argentina all still in the title race, Kolisi and Stick expected a blockbuster encounter. They stressed that they were completely focused on what they wanted to achieve in the match. It’s the Boks’ last local match for the year. Kick-off is at 5.10 pm.

Meanwhile, the Stormers team was firing on all cylinders when they beat the defending champions Leinster by 35-0 in their opening match of the United Rugby Championships in Cape Town last night. The home team scored four tries in the process to earn a bonus point. The halftime score was 6-0. However, the Sharks opened their URC campaign on a low note when they went down 35- 19 against the Glasgow Warriors at the Scotstoun Stadium in Scotland. The half-time score was 14-12 in favour of the home team.

Stay tuned for more news………….