News 11:00

BULLETIN 19 September 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa extends the deadline for the Madlanga Commission’s final report
# SALGA renews its commitment to ending gender-based violence and femicide
# And soccer: Mamelodi Sundowns are ready for the Al Ahli challenge

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the deadline for the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry’s final report to 25 January 2027. The Commission is investigating criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system. The extension will allow commissioners to process additional evidence, including testimony from experts who have made recommendations within the Commission’s terms of reference. Ramaphosa has thanked the Commission for its work and commended law enforcement agencies for following up on evidence emerging from the hearings.

# The South African Local Government Association, has reaffirmed its commitment to ending gender-based violence and femicide. During a national solidarity activation in Pretoria, SALGA leaders and staff held a candle-lighting ceremony for the women whose bodies were recently discovered in Ekurhuleni. SALGA CEO Sithole Mbanga says tackling violence against women requires more than public commitments, with leaders urged to act decisively and support victims and survivors:

# Firefighters have made significant progress containing a mountain fire above La Plaisir Wine Estate in the Cape Winelands. The Cape Winelands District Municipality’s spokesperson Jo-Anne Otto says the blaze was tackled overnight by municipal crews, ground teams and volunteers. Despite strong winds, steep terrain and flames reaching three metres, teams prevented the fire from spreading to nearby orchards and vineyards. She says cooler conditions helped crews gain ground, however, hot spots remain, with flare-ups possible:

# US President Donald Trump says he is banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, accusing the three outlets of repeatedly reporting what he calls fake news. Trump announced the move on social media and warned other media organisations could face the same treatment. Reuters reports it is unclear how the ban will be implemented. Journalists from the three outlets were still working at the White House after the announcement, and their press passes had not been revoked.

# Soccer: Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says they will not be intimidated by Al Ahli’s star-studded squad. Sundowns face the Saudi Arabian club at Loftus Versfeld this afternoon in their first leg of the FIFA Africa-Asia-Pacific Cup. Cardoso says the result will depend on performance, effort and concentration. Sundowns are unbeaten this season and qualified after winning the CAF Champions League. Cardoso says the club is proud to represent Africa:

# And finally: Scientists have identified a new species of wild cat in Bolivia, the first living feline species to be formally described in more than a century. Called the Tilcayo, the small spotted cat lives in the Yungas cloud forest, where the Andes meet the Amazon. It is smaller than an average domestic cat and weighs about 1.4-kilograms. Genetic testing confirmed it as a distinct species after researchers studied 38 tiger cats from across South America. Scientists say little is known about the elusive animal, whose habitat faces deforestation and mining.

Stay tuned for more news………….