News 07:00

BULLETIN 23 May 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A Police Advisory Panel will be established with former SARS commissioner as chair
# The DA warns the May floods have devastated Western Cape agriculture and displaced farm workers
# And, freed Gaza flotilla activists allege Israeli abuse including rape

# Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has announced the establishment of a Police Advisory Panel to help drive policing reforms. Former South African Revenue Service Commissioner Edward Kieswetter will chair the panel, with Public Service Commission deputy chairperson Zukiswa Mqolombo serving as deputy chair. Cachalia says the panel will advise on the police reset agenda and recommendations from the Madlanga Commission, and guide the future establishment of a National Policing Board:

Meanwhile, Action Society says the latest crime statistics confirm a deep crisis in the policing system, with more than five-thousand murders recorded between January and March. The organisation argues violent crime remains extremely high, while communities continue to face rising levels of rape, assault and other serious offences. Action Society’s Juanita du Preez also raised concern over gaps in policing capacity, including shortages of resources and reported lack of rape kits at some stations:

AfriForum has also said the latest statistics show that the South African Police Service is still failing to effectively protect communities, despite a slight drop of 4.6-percent in violent crime. The organisation argues that policing cannot be centralised and must involve stronger cooperation with local safety structures, as crime challenges differ across regions. AfriForum’s Jacques Broodryk says formal partnerships between police, neighbourhood and farm watches could help strengthen policing and improve safety:

# The DA says the Western Cape is facing heavy economic losses and a growing humanitarian crisis following the recent floods. According to the party, more than two-thousand farmworkers and their families have been displaced in the Cape Winelands, while farms, vineyards, orchards and rural infrastructure have been severely damaged. The DA’s Noko Masipa says electricity problems are threatening export fruit in cold storage, putting jobs and international trade at risk:

# Activists released from Israeli custody after being detained on a flotilla trying to bring aid to Gaza were subjected to abuse, with several hospitalised with injuries and at least 15 reporting sexual assaults, including rape. Israeli forces arrested 430 people on board 50 ships in international waters on Tuesday to halt a flotilla of volunteers trying to bring aid supplies to the Gaza Strip. Western governments on Thursday expressed anger after Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video of himself mocking activists being pinned to the ground in a prison.

# And rugby: Stormers captain Ruhan Nel says they are disappointing they could only end third on the United Rugby Championship log, because second would have secured them a home semifinal if they reach that round. But securing a home quarterfinal was their first goal and they are extremely excited. The Stormers face Cardiff in Cape Town next Saturday after losing to the same side in their final group match in Wales. Nel says they should be able to learn from their mistakes and do some things better.

Stay tuned for more news………….