News 09:00

BULLETIN 7 December 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The death toll in the mass shooting at the Saulsville tavern in Atteridgeville rises to 12 
# SAFTU demands Witness D’s killing must be prioritised and investigated independently
# And rugby, the Blitzboks secure a semi-final spot at the Cape Town Sevens tournament

# Police has confirmed that the number of people who were shot and killed in a mass shooting at a tavern at the Saulville Hostel, Atteridgeville, in the west of Pretoria has now rise to 12 after another victim died in hospital yesterday. Police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe says the total number of people shot was 25 and 12 were killed including a three-year-old child. The police investigation is ongoing and no one has been arrested. Mathe added the shooting took place at an illegal shebeen:

Meanwhile the Forum for South Africa is calling on president Cyril Ramaphosa to urgently consider a referendum on the reinstatement of death penalty for deliberate murder in the country, following the incident in Atteridgeville. FOSA leader, Tebogo Mashilompane says many South Africans have lost their lives due to a failing judicial and criminal system:

# SAFTU demands the murder of Marius van der Merwe, known as Witness D, must be prioritised and investigated independently of any institution implicated in the Madlanga Commission. The trade union federation says the killing sends a chilling message of intimidation and threatens to discourage other witnesses from coming forward with information, which is essential to stopping the deep rot exposed at the Commission. SAFTU’s spokesperson, Asive Dyani, says South Africa has a painful history of whistle-blowers and truth-tellers being assassinated for their courage:

The Activists and Citizens Forum also calles for Van der Merwe’s killing to be condemned by all patriotic South Africans. Forum spokesperson Dennis Bloem says not so long ago, it was said that the testimony of witnesses A, B, C, and D before the Madlanga Commission should not be taken lightly. He says they have made very serious allegations against senior police officers and Ekurhuleni Metro Police officials, and their lives are in danger and must be protected:

# Rugby: The Blitzboks delivered a flawless performance on the opening day of the Sevens tournament in Cape Town, winning all their pool matches to secure a Cup semi-final spot. In their opener against Fiji, they managed a dramatic 24-21 victory thanks to a last-gasp hat-trick try from Shilton van Wyk. The hosts showed resilience against New Zealand in a physical encounter, with Ronald Brown sealing a hard-fought 19-14 win with a decisive late try. South Africa finished the day with a 41-7 win over Great Britain. Today’s semi-final against France is at 12:22.

# And golf: South Africa’s Jayden Schaper heads into today’s final round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge in honour of Gary Player just five shots off the lead of Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan. The 24-year-old Schaper, who is making his debut in this tournament, will start the day 12 under par following his third round of 66. He will tee off in the final group alongside the leader Reitan on 17 under par.  Schaper is ably supported by countryman Christiaan Bezuidenhout on 10 under par also chasing a first South African victory in this event since 2017.

Stay tuned for more news………….