News 06:00

BULLETIN 16 September 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says councillors hold the power to transform local government and improve citizens’ lives
# Correctional Services clarifies Donovan Moodley’s parole situation
# And Athletics: Tshepo Tshite is through to the 1,500-metre final at the World Championships

# ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa says councillors hold the power to transform society and improve citizens’ lives. Addressing thousands of councillors at the FNB stadium in Johannesburg, Gauteng, Ramaphosa said local government has the greatest potential to drive change, deliver services, and strengthen democracy. He urged councillors to act decisively, tackle service delivery failures, and ensure municipalities serve communities effectively:

Ramaphosa has also urged councillors to act decisively in addressing service delivery challenges, particularly water shortages affecting communities. Ramaphosa said councillors must develop clear, practical plans to resolve bulk water and supply issues instead of waiting for the media to raise concerns. He stressed that local leaders must ensure communities are not left without basic services:

# The Department of Correctional Services has clarified that the parole consideration of convicted murderer Donovan Moodley is still in progress. The department says his parole must be reviewed by the National Council for Correctional Services, with the final decision resting with Correctional Services minister Pieter Groenewald. Moodley, jailed in 2005 for the kidnapping and murder of student Leigh Matthews, has been eligible since 2018; however, it remains highly rejected by the Matthews family. Officials emphasised the process is still in its early stages.

# The Gautrain Management Agency has secured its 13th consecutive clean audit for the 2024/2025 financial year, reinforcing its reputation for transparency, accountability, and sound financial management. The agency’s Albi Modise said the achievement reflects disciplined governance and efficient operations. This includes train availability at 99.51-percent and punctuality at 97.57-percent. The agency also earned International Organisation for Standardisation certifications in quality, environmental, and occupational health and safety management:

# The United Nations Human Rights Council will host an urgent debate today on Israel’s airstrike targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar. The debate will be convened after it receives two official requests, one from Pakistan on behalf of member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the other from Kuwait on behalf of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. This is the 10th urgent debate since its creation in 2006.

# Athletics: Tshepo Tshite is through to the men’s 1,500-metre final at the World Championships in Tokyo, becoming the first South African to do so since Moscow 2013, where Johan Cronje took bronze. Marioné Fourie crashed out of the women’s 100-metre hurdles semifinal. The men’s 110-metre hurdles saw three South Africans, John Adesola, Mondray Barnard, and Antonio Alkana, failing to make it past the first round. In the women’s pole vault qualifying round, Miré Reinstorf and her male counterpart, Kyle Rademeyer, and high-jumper Brian Raats failed to clear the bar once.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-35-cents and the euro at 20-rand-41-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-60-cents and Bitcoin trades at 115-thousand-494-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-678-dollars-51-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-6-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….