News 09:00

BULLETIN 27 August 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The GOOD Party is concerned by the government’s lack of action over the US funding cuts
# The Australian police are searching for a suspect who killed two police officers
# And motorsport: Cadillac confirms Perez and Bottas as its drivers in debut F1 season

# The GOOD Party says it has been three months since the US cut medical funding within the country, and yet, government has still not announced any countermeasures. The cuts have resulted in 12 facilities throughout South Africa being shut down, ranging from clinics for those suffering from HIV and AIDS, as well as antiretroviral facilities. GOOD’s National Youth chairperson, Kaden Arguile, says the sad reality is that the most vulnerable in society are the most impacted by these funding cuts:

# Parliament’s portfolio committee on Police says Statistics South Africa’s Governance, Public Safety and Justice Survey 2024/2025, highlights the worrying and inherent trust deficit between police and the broader community. According to the survey, housebreaking remains the most prevalent household crime in the country. About 132-thousand individuals experienced sexual offences over the past five years, an increase of 13.8-percent. Committee chairperson Ian Cameron says SAPS should use the statistics to enhance their efforts and adopt a data-driven approach to policing. 

# The Eastern Cape government has begun relocating Mthatha flood victims to temporary residential units at Maydene Farm. The June floods claimed the lives of over 100 people and left thousands homeless. Provincial government spokesperson, Khuselwa Rantjie, says 25 families have been relocated, and more families will be moved as more temporary units become available for occupancy:

# Australian police are continuing a manhunt for a heavily armed man, who shot three police officers, two of whom are dead, in Porepunkah, Victoria, on Tuesday. The suspect has been identified as 56-year-old Dezi Freeman. Ten police officers were shot at after travelling to Freeman’s property to execute a warrant for alleged sexual offences. Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush says the search is focused on a dense bush area near Freeman’s home:

# Motorsport: Sergio Perez of Mexico and Valtteri Bottas of Finland return to Formula One next year after they were confirmed as drivers for new team, Cadillac. Perez was dropped by Red Bull at the end of last season while Bottas is a reserve driver for his former team, Mercedes, this year after losing his seat at Sauber. Both were given multi-year contracts at Cadillac, backed by General Motors. The team also shut down speculation that sacked Red Bull CEO Christian Horner will join them in a management role.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-63-cents and the euro at 20-rand-48-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-72-cents and Bitcoin trades at 111-thousand-462-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-377-dollars-67-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-67-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….