News 08:00

BULLETIN 19 September 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Paul Mashatile says government will invest one-trillion-rand to improve infrastructure
# Hamas says Netanyahu has issued a death sentence for the hostages with its Gaza City offensive
# And rugby: The Griquas make only one change to their starting-15 for the Cup final

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile says government has pledged to invest over one-trillion-rand over the next three years, focusing on improving public infrastructure to enhance the living standards of citizens. He addressed a Public Works and Infrastructure Minister and MECs event in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, yesterday. Mashatile says infrastructure service delivery goes beyond merely constructing roads, bridges, or buildings; it is about laying the foundation for a prosperous and sustainable future:

# Eskom says it notes the Supreme Court of Appeal ruling, setting aside the Environmental Authorisation granted for the proposed three-thousand-megawatt Combined Cycle Gas Power Plant in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. The court stated that there was inadequate public participation, and no consultation was conducted with vulnerable communities. It also cited a failure to assess renewable energy alternatives or cumulative environmental impacts. Eskom spokesperson, Daphne Mokwena, says they are studying the judgment and considering the next steps:

# Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero says they understand the frustration of residents in Coronationville and Westbury, who are still without water. He engaged the Coronationville community yesterday. Morero says while supply has been restored in some areas, repair efforts are being hampered by ongoing vandalism and sabotage of city infrastructure. He says more than 20 water tankers have been deployed to provide temporary relief as teams continue working to resolve the backlog of repairs:

# Hamas says prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Gaza City ground incursion means that Israel has lost any chance of getting its hostages out of the territory, dead or alive. Forty-eight hostages remain in Gaza, 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Israel began its incursion on the outskirts of Gaza City on Wednesday, killing more than 100 Palestinians and destroying at least 17 homes, residential buildings, and a mosque. Hamas says they were preparing to fight, warning that Gaza will be a graveyard for Israeli soldiers.

# Rugby: Griquas’ starting-15 to face the Lions in tomorrow’s Currie Cup final shows only one change from the squad that beat the Cheetahs in last weekend’s semifinal in Kimberley. Lock Derik Pretorius replaces Malembe Mpofu, who failed his head injury assessment, with Marco de Witt providing cover on the bench. Phumzile Maqondwana is the back-up loose forward. The Lions are regarded as absolute favourites to clinch the title at home in Johannesburg after smashing the Northern Cape team 37-7 in their league match two weeks ago.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-35-cents and the euro at 20-rand-46-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-51-cents and Bitcoin trades at 117-thousand-272-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-651-dollars-95-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-89-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….