News 06:00

BULLETIN 18 September 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Nomvula Mokonyane says the ANC is calling for an integrated approach to dealing with GBVF
# A third woman found along the R-21 in Kempton Park is identified
# And, Mark Carney says he wants to deepen ties with the EU for independence

# ANC first deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane says they continue to call for collective action to confront gender-based violence and femicide, and build communities where women and children can live free from fear and violence. She visited the families of  Elizabeth Moselakgomo, Dineo Motapane and Itumeleng Kekana, who are among the nine women killed in Ekurhuleni. Mokonyane says law enforcement needs to improve its capacity and capability, particularly around issues of intelligence, enforcement of by-laws and an integrated approach to dealing with GBVF:

Meanwhile, the family of 28-year-old Gracious Nkomo has positively identified her as one of the women whose bodies were discovered along the R21 in Kempton Park last week. She was the third woman discovered in the area. This comes as police continue to investigate the deaths of nine women across the East Rand. Police have now formally identified four women in the wider Ekurhuleni investigation. Acting National Police Commissioner Puleng Dimpane says a multidisciplinary team of investigators is working to establish the circumstances surrounding the murders and identify those responsible.

# Mineral and Petroleum Resources minister Gwede Mantashe is demanding that the owners of Lily Mine in Mpumalanga take responsibility for retrieving the container and the bodies of the mineworkers who died in the 2016 disaster. Addressing the mine health and safety summit in Kempton Park, Gauteng, Mantashe said mine owners cannot benefit from mining operations, avoid responsibility when disasters occur, and then expect government to take responsibility. He added that retrieving the bodies is important to give the affected families closure.

# Research by the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Social Development in Africa has found that social grants are mainly used for essential household needs, but can also support productive livelihood activities. Social Development minister Dina Pule says the research found that receiving the 370-rand Social Relief of Distress grant was associated with a 25-percentage-point increase in the likelihood of people searching for work. The findings highlight the potential role of social assistance in supporting households and employment-seeking efforts.

# Canadian prime minister Mark Carney says a deeper partnership with Europe is intended to create resilience rather than self-sufficiency. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has proposed that Canada become the bloc’s first associate member, a status that does not currently exist. The EU and Canada already have a free-trade agreement, and cooperate in areas including trade, defence and research. In an address to the European Parliament, Carney stated that this is an opportunity to make Canada stronger, more sovereign and independent:

# Cricket: Miané Smit’s maiden T20 century guided South Africa Women to a comprehensive 80-run victory against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, extending their series lead to 4-0. Player of the match Smit’s 59-ball 102 helped the Proteas post 205 for four, their third-highest T20 total and their second successive 200-plus score. In reply, Zimbabwe were restricted to 125 for five, with Caitlin Wyngaard taking two wickets. South Africa will be eyeing a series whitewash in the fifth and final T20 on Saturday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-26-cents and the euro at 18-rand-67-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-72-cents and Bitcoin trades at 76-thousand-333-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-344-dollars-39-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 104-dollars-99-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….