News 14:00

BULLETIN 11 November 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The inquest into Steve Biko’s death is reopened after 48 years
# Cricket: Hazlewood is cleared for the Ashes opener while Abbott is ruled out
# And well-known fashion designer Henja Schaap has died

# An inquest into the death of anti-apartheid leader Steve Biko reopened at the High Court in Gqeberha today – 48 years after his death in police custody. The National Prosecuting Authority sought approval from Justice and Constitutional Development minister Mmamoloko Kubayi following new evidence from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The TRC revealed former police members may have assaulted Biko before his death in 1977. The NPA says the reopened inquest aims to determine criminal accountability and bring long-awaited justice for Biko’s family.

# The Activists and Citizens Forum is calling upon the police and the National Director of Public Prosecution to arrest and criminally charge Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi. This follows his suspension yesterday. Mkhwanazi has been implicated in the Madlanga commission of inquiry, with claims emerging that he aided criminal Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s infiltration of the EMPD. The forum’s spokesperson, Dennis Bloem, says Mkhwanazi is a criminal in police uniform:

# Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi says the number of cholera outbreaks has been growing in Africa, coinciding with repeated shortages of cholera vaccines. Biovac has received approval from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority to begin clinical trials for its oral cholera vaccine. The African Union has set a target of 60-percent of all routine vaccines used in Africa to be manufactured on the continent by 2030. Motsoaledi says government is committed to ensuring universal access to essential medicines:

# Cricket: Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been declared fit to play in the first Ashes Test against England after an injury scare, but Sean Abbott has been ruled out. Both Hazlewood and Abbott were sent for medical scans after pulling up sore on day three of New South Wales’ Sheffield Shield fixture against Victoria in Sydney. Cricket Australia says Hazlewood has been cleared of a muscle strain, while Abbott has suffered a moderate-grade hamstring injury. The first Test gets underway in Perth next Friday.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-14-cents and the euro at 19-rand-83-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-49-cents and Bitcoin trades at 104-thousand-828-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-125-dollars-79-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-39-cents a barrel.

# And finally, well-known South African fashion designer Henja Schaap’s death was announced on social media. No cause was given. Schaap was especially known for his designer wedding gowns, although he created fashion for both women and men. Music promoter Ferdi Steyn reacted by thanking him for all the clothes he designed for him and other artists over the years, while former Mr South Africa and fitness model John Owens says he would miss Schaap’s voicenotes and jokes.

Stay tuned for more news………….