News 11:00

BULLETIN 18 September 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC says the Madlanga commission must leave no stone unturned in exposing wrong-doing
# The UDM in Johannesburg calls for urgent action on hijacked and unsafe buildings
# And ABC pulls Jimmy Kimmel off the air over his comments about Charlie Kirk

# The ANC says the work of the Madlanga commission of inquiry will play a vital role in restoring confidence in governance and strengthening democratic accountability. The commission started its hearings in Pretoria yesterday, with KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, testifying. The commission is tasked with investigating allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system. The ANC’s spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu, says the fight against corruption is not negotiable:

# Metalworkers union Numsa has welcomed a new five-year wage agreement with South32 Hillside Aluminium. With inflation at 3.3-percent, the deal ensures annual increases of 5.5-to-six-percent, depending on job categories, through to 2030. Workers will also receive annual medical aid erosion benefits and a once-off 20-thousand-rand signing bonus. Numsa’s Phakamile Hlubi-Majola says the deal secures improved livelihoods for members and their families:

# The UDM in Johannesburg is deeply alarmed by the worsening crisis of hijacked and unsafe buildings across the metro, particularly those owned by government. The party’s Yongama Zigebe says the tragic Usindiso fire of 2023, which claimed 77 lives, remains a painful reminder of what happens when authorities fail to act. He says the recent reports about families occupying the old police building in Yeoville highlight the complex realities facing the metro:

Moving abroad:

# Disney’s ABC has pulled the popular late-night show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, off its schedule indefinitely. This is amid a controversy over Kimmel’s recent comments about the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot dead during an event at Utah Valley University. Tyler Robinson has been charged with the activist’s murder. In his monologue on Monday night, Kimmel said that the MAGA gang was trying to score political points off Kirk’s murder. He also mocked US president Donald Trump’s reaction to the shooting.

# Rugby: Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has named a 34-man squad, comprising 19 forwards and 15 backs, to face New Zealand in the final two rounds of the Rugby Championship. Prop James Slipper is on course to make his 150th appearance, joining Wales’ Alun-Wyn Jones and All Blacks’ Sam Whitelock as the only players to reach this milestone. Scrumhalf Jake Gordon, who missed the opening four games of the championship, returns to the squad after recovering from injury. Scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan is the only uncapped player in the group.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-44-cents and the euro at 20-rand-60-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-74-cents and Bitcoin trades at 117-thousand-172-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-639-dollars-92-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-41-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….