News 07:00

BULLETIN 29 August 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# GIWUSA says Madlanga Commission evidence reveals how crime syndicates penetrated the justice system
# The South African Police Services prepares to secure the local government elections
# And, the Nepal flood search enters its fourth day

# The workers’ union GIWUSA says evidence emerging from the Madlanga Commission highlights the deep penetration of organised crime syndicates into South Africa’s justice and law enforcement systems. Since the Commission commenced with its work last year, it has exposed deep-rooted corruption, political interference and criminal infiltration. GIWUSA president Mametlwe Sebei says police collusion with criminal syndicates is now well-documented:

# Acting Police minister, Firoz Cachalia, says law enforcement agencies will work to ensure a safe and secure environment ahead of the local government elections on 4 November. Cachalia told the media political violence, including attacks on councillors and other political representatives, threatens democratic participation. He said police will investigate such cases and work with stakeholders to protect voters, political parties and communities, and ensure the elections are free and fair:

# Businessman kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is set to rejoin suspended National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and several senior police officials in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on 29 September. This is in the alleged irregular awarding of the 228-million-rand Medicare24 Tshwane District tender to Matlala. NPA spokesperson Henry Mamothame says Matlala’s return is after he withdrew from a plea and sentence agreement and will be transferred back to the Regional Court, where he will join 14 other accused and two companies.

# The minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says the Department of International Relations and Cooperation is working through South Africa’s diplomatic missions in China to help locate six South Africans reported missing in Nepal. The six, believed to be from KwaZulu-Natal, have been unreachable since deadly flash floods struck the Bhote Koshi River area near the Tibetan border on Wednesday. Ntshavheni says DIRCO remains in contact with the families and authorities:

Meanwhile, rescue teams in Nepal are entering a fourth day of searching for survivors. At least 584 people have died and almost two-thousand-500 remain missing, including more than 500 foreign nationals. Many of the foreigners were travelling on the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage. The figures are changing rapidly as Nepalese and Chinese authorities report different totals. Rescue operations have also been hampered by the threat of another flood from an unstable, newly formed lake upstream. Authorities are monitoring the lake while teams continue searching for survivors.

# And finally, Cricket: Namibia have stunned South Africa by 18 runs in the opening match of the T20 tri-series in Windhoek. The hosts posted 163 for nine, with opener Jan Frylinck making 60 off 38 balls. Dewald Brevis top-scored for the Proteas with 75 from 50 deliveries, but South Africa’s chase lost momentum and they finished on 145 for eight. Namibia’s Ruben Trumpelmann took three wickets, while JJ Smit also claimed three. The Proteas face Zimbabwe in their next match today, while Namibia will meet Zimbabwe on Sunday.

Stay tuned for more news………….