News 07:00

BULLETIN 21 September 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Velenkosini Hlabisa says the IFP’s election manifesto is committed to service delivery on time
# The Gauteng Community Safety Committee warns of increased kidnappings
# And the UN chief calls for international cooperation before the UN General Assembly

# IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa says the party’s local government election manifesto is not a list of empty promises, but it is a commitment to deliver services on time. He launched the manifesto at the Kwamashu’s Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban yesterday. Hlabisa says the manifesto has five priorities: creating meaningful jobs; fast-tracking service delivery and functional infrastructure; working with and protecting traditional and Khoi-San leaders; ending corruption; and empowering youth, women and persons living with disabilities:

# Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy has instructed the South African National Roads Agency to investigate the Moriel Infrastructure Group. This comes after a director of the company, Lawrence Mudzinganyama, was caught on video threatening a group of women inside the ladies’ bathroom at the Vlamo restaurant in Sandton. He has apologised. Moriel has received tenders from the road agency, including a contract worth 71.6-million-rand awarded in January last year. Creecy wants SANRAL to establish whether the company was lawfully appointed and whether it was fulfilling its contractual obligations.

# The Gauteng Legislature’s Community Safety Committee is calling for urgent action following a rise in kidnappings. Kempton Park recorded 76 cases between April and June, up 58.3-percent from the same period last year. Gauteng recorded two-thousand-367 cases, more than half the national total. Committee chairperson Bandile Masuku says intensified policing, intelligence-led investigations and targeted operations are needed. He also warned about hijacking-related kidnappings and ransom cases:

# Forum for South Africa has announced its national leader and president, Tebogo Mashilompane, as its mayoral candidate for Madibeng Local Municipality in the North West. The party says the nomination reflects its commitment to accountable and transparent local government. Mashilompane is expected to campaign on improved service delivery, clean governance, responsible management of public resources and economic opportunities. FORUM4SA says it will engage residents and stakeholders on local challenges and solutions ahead of the elections.

# World leaders, diplomats, advocates, and other influential voices will gather for the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week. Leaders will revitalise global cooperation, give a critical push to the Sustainable Development Goals, and drive collective action for peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet. UN Secretary-General António Guterres says that amid serious global existential threats, now is the time for leaders to come together to seek common ground and share solutions:

# Tennis: Germany, Britain and Spain have advanced to the Davis Cup Final 8. US Open champion Alexander Zverev defeated Dino Prizmic, 6-2, 6-4, to complete his country’s 3-1 victory against Croatia. Britain also advanced, with doubles pair Henry Patten and Neal Skupski beating Gonzalo Escobar and Diego Hidalgo, 6-3, 6-4, to secure a 3-0 win over Ecuador. Spain defeated Chile 3-0. The three countries join hosts Italy, Canada, the Czech Republic, South Korea, and Austria in the Final 8 set to be played in Bologna in November.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-23-cents and the euro at 18-rand-63-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-73-cents and Bitcoin trades at 80-thousand-986-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-378-dollars-84-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 102-dollars-56-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….