News 12:00

BULLETIN 1 October 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Julius Malema is found guilty of violating the Firearms Control Act
# The Forum for South Africa alleges Nathi Mthethwa’s legacy weakened institutions
# And rugby: The Bok coach is pleased with the evolution of the squad

# Magistrate Twanet Olivier has found EFF leader Julius Malema guilty in the East London Regional Court on charges of discharging a firearm during EFF celebrations in July 2018. Stay tuned for more on this.

# Forum for South Africa has criticised the late South African ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, saying his leadership left the Police and Sport, Arts and Culture Ministries in decline. Spokesperson Tebogo Mashilompane cited testimony at the Madlanga commission by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, alleging Mthethwa interfered in police operations while he was minister, weakening crime-fighting efforts. He stressed that leaders must be accountable, even in death, while extending condolences to Mthethwa’s family:

# Corruption Watch says it has become clear that syndicates involving officials and service providers have been able to continue their looting with no consequences. This follows the Special Investigating Unit’s investigation into Tembisa Hospital, which uncovered coordinated syndicates responsible for the looting of over two-billion-rand. Corruption Watch says the mismanagement of resources severely impacts the well-being of all residents and erodes the delivery of critical services, while poor governance undermines the effectiveness of systems that were put in place to prevent corruption.

# AfriForum is calling for mining activities near the southern parts of the Kruger National Park to stop immediately, citing a lack of environmental approvals and landowner consent. The organisation says drilling and exploration on Tenbosch, Turfbelt and Tecklenburg Ranch are unlawful, with no environmental impact assessment in place. Environmental Affairs advisor Marais de Vaal warns of legal action with costs if operations do not cease by Tuesday next week:

# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says he is pleased with how the squad has evolved this year, especially in terms of depth and the different strengths they have. None of the 36 players he has used in this year’s Rugby Championship have been on the pitch for the entire 400 minutes of the five rounds. The Boks have had 28 different try scorers this year. Erasmus says the interchangeability of combinations is still a work in progress:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-23-cents and the euro at 20-rand-25-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-21-cents and Bitcoin trades at 115-thousand-70-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-891-dollars-85-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-15-cents a barrel.

# And finally: St Joseph’s Intermediate Paediatric Care says for nine decades, it has been a beacon of hope for thousands of children requiring transitional medical care. It is celebrating 90 years of pioneering paediatric transitional healthcare. St Joseph’s provides free transitional medical and therapeutic care for children with chronic illnesses and disabilities. Festivities over the past few months have included a garden party for patients and staff and a thanksgiving service with donors and partners.

Stay tuned for more news………….