News 18:00

BULLETIN 3 December 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# EMPD’s Julius Mkhwanazi denies blue-light allegations
# Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng adjourns the Meyiwa trial as advocate Mnisi seeks professional help
# And, the GOOD Party calls for swift justice after a child was murdered in Mitchells Plain

# Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi has denied ever authorising blue lights for CAT VIP Protection vehicles owned by controversial businessman Vusimusi ‘Cat’ Matlala. Mhkwanazi told the Madlanga Commission that the cars never arrived at the City of Ekurhuleni. Mkhwanazi added that he fully cooperated with IPID investigators and submitted all required statements and documents. He maintains he never issued unlawful instructions nor altered official processes:

# Pretoria High Court Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng has ruled that the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial will proceed, after Advocate Charles Mnisi requested to seek professional help. Mokgoatlheng emphasised that the case cannot be abandoned due to Mnisi’s absence. Mokgoatlheng said Mnisi is free to consult a psychologist or doctor. The judge postponed proceedings until tomorrow, emphasising the court’s responsibility to ensure the matter moves forward:

# The GOOD Party expressed shock at the brutal killing of a nine-year-old boy and two adults in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, with two others injured. Police classify the attack as suspected gang-related. Between June and September, 49 people were killed in the area. GOOD’s Jonathan Cupido urges urgent SAPS action, justice for victims, and meaningful socio-economic programmes to address youth violence and community safety:

# The death toll in Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades has risen to 159. Police revealed victims included an infant and a 97-year-old as they continued searching through the burnt-out apartment complex. Of the 159 bodies found, 140 have been identified. They are 91 females and 49 males, aged between one and 97 years. Some 30 people are still missing. Police have arrested 21 suspects for manslaughter in a probe into the cause of the fire.

# Soccer: World governing body Fifa is planning to implement the video-assistant referee system for the awarding of corner kicks at next year’s World Cup in Northern America. This is despite domestic leagues being against the measure, meaning FIFA will have to organise a trial first to be able to use it in the tournament. FIFA’s head of referees, Pierluigi Collina, is also in favour of a change that will see any error that can quickly be identified by VAR, potentially be communicated to the on-field referee.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-8-cents and the euro at 19-rand-92-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-71-cents and Bitcoin trades at 92-thousand-273-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-223-dollars-61-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-71-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….