News 06:00

BULLETIN 15 September 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Electoral Court will today hear the ANC’s candidate list case
# The Transport minister mourns the victims of two deadly crashes
# And, DNA tests are underway to identify the three murdered women in Kempton Park

# The Electoral Court is expected today to hear the ANC’s application, challenging the Electoral Commission over the submission of candidate lists ahead of the November local government elections. The party claims technical difficulties with the IEC’s system resulted in the details of 181 candidates in six councils not being captured before the 28 August 5 pm deadline. In papers filed with the Electoral Court, the IEC has argued that its audit trail shows no system activity in two of the six municipalities at the centre of the ANC’s candidate-list dispute.

# Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube has defended her decision to suspend the new Foundation Phase National Catalogue for Grades 1-3, saying public resources must be handled responsibly. The minister suspended the catalogue due to governance and financial risks found following an independent investigation. Addressing the Cape Town Press Club yesterday, Gwarube said she is awaiting legal advice from senior counsel. She rejected the suggestion that demanding a fair process is an attack on transformation:

# Transport minister Barbara Creecy has expressed condolences to the families of 29 people killed in two road accidents. On the N1 in the Western Cape yesterday, 21 people died in a crash involving two taxis and a Suzuki Brezza SUV, while eight were killed in a head-on collision on the N17 near Ermelo in Mpumalanga on Sunday. Ministry spokesperson Collen Msibi says the Road Traffic Management Corporation has been ordered to investigate the crashes:

# DNA tests are underway to identify three women whose bodies were found in Kempton Park, in Ekurhuleni. The Gauteng Department of Health is supporting police investigation into the deaths of five women whose bodies were found between July and this month. Two of the women have been identified, while three remain unidentified. The department’s Steve Mabona urges families of missing people to contact the Germiston Forensic Pathology Service:

# Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked parliament to swiftly approve the removal of Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko, who resigned last week amid a corruption investigation involving his office. Kravchenko has not been charged or named as a suspect, but a subordinate is accused of helping a fraud ring. The scandal has intensified tensions between Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies and traditional law enforcement. Kravchenko has also accused the head of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of wrongdoing, allegations the agency denies. Parliament is expected to consider his removal soon.

# Rugby: Wallabies’ coach Les Kiss knows his charges will have to take a big step up when facing the Springboks in Perth next weekend. South Africa is brimming with confidence after beating old foe New Zealand 3-1 in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series following a comprehensive victory in the final Test in Baltimore. Kiss says the world champions will offer a whole different level of challenge than his first four matches in charge against Japan and Argentina. He realises Australia has to be more physical and intense.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-23-cents and the euro at 18-rand-76-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-93-cents and Bitcoin trades at 78-thousand-652-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-295-dollars-76-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 107-dollars-70-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….