News 08:00

BULLETIN 22 September 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The US ambassador says Thabo Mbeki is the best person to break the diplomatic deadlock
# A high-ranking police officer is arrested on sexual charges
# And, deputy minister Letsike says threats against women carry consequences

# US Ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell believes former president Thabo Mbeki is the best person to break the US-SA diplomatic impasse, citing his experience as a veteran statesman and negotiator. This comes as the US government has imposed new visa restrictions on unnamed South Africans involved in race-based discrimination. Bozell told Business Day that Mbeki understands the mechanics of international diplomacy and economic engagement at the highest level. He added that when dealing with fundamental economic frameworks, someone who commands immense respect in both countries is needed.

# A 59-year-old senior police officer with the rank of lieutenant general was arrested in Sandton yesterday on charges related to sexual offences. National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says the senior officer allegedly sexually groomed a 16-year-old girl between July and August 2026, and allegedly raped an 18-year-old woman at a hotel in Sandton in May this year. Mathe says Acting National Police Commissioner Puleng Dimpane has strongly condemned the alleged conduct, particularly in the context of the country’s ongoing fight against gender-based violence and femicide:

# Deputy minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Steve Letsike, says rejection, anger, intoxication, wealth or social standing can never excuse the harassment or threatening of any woman in the country. Zimbabwean businessman Lawrence Chamurwa Mudzinganyama was caught on camera allegedly threatening a group of women who rejected his advances at an upmarket restaurant in Sandton. The department’s spokesperson, Cassius Selala, says the threats of lethal violence captured on video during the incident cannot be dismissed as an unfortunate exchange:

# European Council president António Costa says that, in a world of growing divisions, a strong shared commitment to cooperation still extends across continents, regions and political traditions. He co-hosted the inaugural Partners for Multilateralism Summit with Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, India, and Kenya, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. Costa says the core objective is to support the work of the UN and other multilateral formats, and help to turn shared commitments into concrete action:

# Soccer: FIFA president Gianni Infantino is proposing an external ‌review of how the governing body makes major decisions. This follows his failed plan to establish the FIFA Forward Enterprise, which would have involved selling stakes in the World Cup and other competitions to private investors. In a letter sent to all 211 FIFA member associations, Infantino says he is open to reform. He says he is inviting proposals on the role of the president, as well as practical ways to strengthen transparency and accountability.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-24-cents and the euro at 18-rand-63-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-72-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 85-thousand-579-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-344-dollars-50-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 102-dollars-6-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….