News 06:00

BULLETIN 18 September 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Nhlanhla  Mkhwanazi told the Madlanga Commission minister Senzo Mchunu is involved in a criminal syndicate
# SANDF members will appear in court on cigarette smuggling charges
# And athletics: Van Niekerk and Dambile run in the 200-metre semifinal in Tokyo

# KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has told the Madlanga commission that Police minister Senzo Mchunu is fully involved in a criminal syndicate. In July, president Cyril Ramaphosa placed Mchunu on immediate leave over allegations of collusion with the syndicate and interference in high-profile investigations. Wrapping up day one of the hearings, Mkhwanazi linked Mchunu to businessmen Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala and Katiso ‘KT’ Molefe, accused of running crime networks:

Mkhwanazi also says Mchunu’s decision to disband the political killings task team was irrational, irregular, and taken without proper consultation. Mkhwanazi says the move has serious implications, with 121 case dockets now reassigned to ordinary detectives. He further suggested political interference may have influenced the decision:

# Social Development minister Sisisi Tolashe says she is confident that the South African Social Security Agency is intensifying efforts to root out fraud and corruption within the grant system. The agency has added several security measures to ensure all rightful beneficiaries receive their financial grant. Tolashe says the Beneficiary Biometric Enrollment is one of the flagship initiatives geared towards thwarting all the fraudulent elements in the social grants system. She adds that the steadfast leadership at SASSA has brought a sense of hope and relief in saving the government fiscus.

# Five SANDF soldiers and two undocumented Zimbabweans will appear in the Musina Magistrate’s Court today for allegedly conspiring to steal a consignment of illicit cigarettes near the Limpopo River. Shots were reportedly fired, forcing smugglers to abandon 24 boxes. Six boxes were later recovered from a temporary military camp. Police spokesperson Hlulani Mashaba says they face charges of illicit cigarette possession, unlawful firearm discharge, and defeating the ends of justice:

# Russia’s Vladimir Putin and India’s Narendra Modi hailed their friendship and warm relations, holding a phone call despite pressure from Washington over growing economic ties between the two. US President Donald Trump has bumped up tariffs on India, which has become a major purchaser of Russian oil, with Western sanctions imposed on Moscow over its offensive on Ukraine. The Russian and Indian leaders spoke by phone a day after Modi held talks with Trump on the Ukraine conflict and the tariffs.

# Athletics: The world record holder in the 400-metres, Wayde van Niekerk, and South African compatriot Sinesipho Dambile will compete in the semifinal of the 200-metres at the world championships in Tokyo, Japan, this afternoon. Van Niekerk, who switched to the shorter race during last year’s Olympic Games in Paris, finished second in his heat, while Dambile was third in his heat. They face stiff opposition from sprinters such as Bryan Levell from Jamaica, Zimbabwe’s Tapiwanahe Makarawu, and American Courtney Lindsey, who posted the fastest qualifying times.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-34-cents and the euro at 20-rand-52-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-66-cents and Bitcoin trades at 116-thousand-612-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-669-dollars-96-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-42-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….