News 09:00

BULLETIN 13 September 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# AfriForum seeks clarity on the driver’s licence printing agreement
# Two former field rangers are sentenced for rhino poaching
# And Russia says peace talks with Ukraine are on ‘pause’

# AfriForum has requested Home Affairs minister Leon Schreiber to provide details on a July memorandum of understanding between the Transport Department and Government Printing Works, to print driver’s licence cards. AfriForum’s Louis Boshoff says they want confirmation of the agreement, its contents, and whether Government Printing Works has the necessary equipment. He warns unreasonable delays in licence renewals could fuel civil non-compliance, citing past issues like e-tolls

# The DA says broad-based black economic empowerment has failed the majority of South Africans while enriching a small ANC-connected elite. The party criticised deputy president Paul Mashatile for defending BEE as it blocks investment, worsens inequality, and denies opportunities to hardworking entrepreneurs. The DA’s Baxolile Nodada says the party is pushing a new system that helps poor and hardworking people, focusing on poverty, jobs, education, and health, not race or political connections.

# The Skukuza Regional Court in Mpumalanga has sentenced two former field rangers to 14 years’ direct imprisonment each for rhino poaching-related offences. The National Prosecuting Authority’s spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa says in May 2018, Freedom Mabilane and Tshifiwa Ramunashi were deployed to patrol the Houtboschrand section of the Kruger National Park when tourists reported hearing gunshots. She says they falsely claimed that they had fired at an elephant that was attacking them; however, a rhino carcass was discovered:

# Johannesburg Water says Berea water system continues to experience critically low water levels due to demand consistently exceeding available supply. Johannesburg Water spokesperson, Pheladi Ramatshila, says as part of short-term interventions, the Berea Reservoir outlet is closed daily to build capacity. She says Johannesburg Water has implemented the 50-percent protocol as is being implemented at Alexander Park Reservoir:

# Russia says that peace talks with Ukraine were on “pause” as US President Donald Trump again warned he was fast running out of patience with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. Trump’s efforts to bring the three-and-a-half-year conflict to an end have faltered in recent weeks, with Russia digging into its hardline demands and refusing to halt its ground and aerial attacks. The new standoff came as Russia’s army staged major military drills with its key ally Belarus on NATO’s border.

# And finally, some rugby news:  In a thrilling encounter between Australia and Argentina in Sydney, the visitors managed to curb a last-minute onslaught by the Wallabies to win the match 28-26. Los Pumas went into the break with a 12-point lead.  If the Springboks beat New Zealand in Wellington in the coming hours, all four sides will have two wins and two losses through four rounds.

Stay tuned for more news………….