News 11:00

BULLETIN 16 September 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The US government announces visa restrictions on South Africans alleged to be involved in race-based discrimination
# The UDM calls for an urgent and coordinated response to the killing of women in Ekurhuleni
# And rugby: The Springbok coach says player management is key ahead of the one-off Test against the Wallabies

# The US government has announced visa restrictions on South Africans it claims are involved in government-sponsored discrimination against Afrikaners and other minority groups. The restrictions will apply to those considered responsible for policies or actions that enable land expropriation without compensation, race-based discrimination, or incitement of imminent violence against racial or ethnic minorities. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the South African government has not adequately addressed the previously laid out concerns. He adds these actions directly undermine peace, economic stability and the rule of law.

# Acting Police minister Firoz Cachalia is relieved that the criminal charges against suspended national police commissioner Fannie Masemola have been withdrawn. Masemola had been charged with contravening the Public Finance Management Act in connection with the controversial 228-million-rand Medicare24 tender. National director of Public Prosecutions, Andy Mothibi, withdrew the charges following a review of the case. Cachalia says he had always believed it was unjust for Masemola to face criminal prosecution:

# The UDM is calling for urgent, coordinated action after the bodies of eight women were discovered across the Ekurhuleni metro in Gauteng over the past two months. The police have confirmed the victims found in Kempton Park had all been sexually assaulted, but are still investigating whether the cases are linked. UDM national chairperson Yongama Zigebe says the pattern and frequency of the killings must be condemned, and demand the highest level of urgency from law enforcement and other authorities:

Moving abroad:

# The ⁠Saudi-led ​military coalition says it will take necessary deterrent measures against the Iranian-backed Yemeni rebel group, the Houthis. This comes after it shot down a Houthi drone on the outskirts of Islam’s holiest city, Mecca, yesterday. This was the first time the rebel group targeted Mecca since a ballistic missile attack was intercepted in 2017. Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki says the security of Islam’s two holiest sites and of pilgrims was a red line, adding this deliberate act was intended to provoke the feelings of millions of Muslims.

# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says with the demanding travel schedule over the last few weeks, player management will be key, as they begin preparations for their one-off Test against the Wallabies in Perth next Sunday. The Boks arrived in Australia yesterday evening following their series victory over the All Blacks in Baltimore in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry. Erasmus says they will face a determined Wallabies side that will want to put on a good show in front of their home crowd.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-21-cents and the euro at 18-rand-72-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-85-cents and Bitcoin trades at 75-thousand-994-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-334-dollars-13-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 108-dollars-48-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….