News 11:00

BULLETIN 29 August 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# COSATU calls for relief as fuel prices set to rise
# The Western Cape government welcomes fewer murders, but warns violence a serious concern
# And Nepal faces a massive rebuilding bill after devastating floods

# COSATU is calling for urgent measures to protect workers and the economy from steep fuel price increases expected next week. Petrol is forecast to rise by up to one-rand-seven-cents a litre, while diesel could increase by as much as two-rand-92-cents. The union federation says the increases will place further pressure on households already struggling with high transport costs and living expenses. It warns that workers are already spending a substantial share of their income getting to work, while higher fuel costs will add to pressure across the wider economy.

# Western Cape premier, Alan Winde has welcomed the decrease in murders recorded in the province during the first quarter of the 2026/2027 financial year. The latest quarterly police crime statistics show that murders in the province decreased by 6.7-percent, down from one-thousand-148 cases between April to June 2025 , to one-thousand-71 cases in the same period this current financial year. The premier says murders in the combined six deployment areas that are part of the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan, decreased by 17-percent:

Meanwhile, the DA in Gauteng says premier Panyaza Lesufi has failed to to curb serious violent crimes in the province. According to police crime statistics, Gauteng remains the country’s highest contributor to kidnapping, accounting for a staggering 51-percent of all reported kidnapping cases nationally between April and June this year, while one-thousand-772 attempted murders were reported. The DA’s Crezane Bosch says these figures further expose the ongoing threat facing residents in their communities:

Moving abroad:

# Nepal will need between 65-billion- and 81-billion-rand to rebuild after this week’s devastating floods along its border with China. The country’s finance Minister Swarnim Wagle told Reuters the estimate was preliminary, with officials still assessing the full extent of the damage. The floods destroyed homes and critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges and hydropower facilities. Wagle says the government will seek international support for the reconstruction effort and plans a major fundraising campaign. Rescue and relief operations are continuing, while authorities assess the economic impact of the disaster.

And sports news:

# Rugby: The Stormers have secured a key group of players on contract extensions ahead of the 26/27 season, with nine URC winners among those committing their futures to the blue and white. Ruhan Nel, Deon Fourie, Seabelo Senatla, Leolin Zas, Marcel Theunissen, Hacjivah Dayimani, Warrick Gelant, Adré Smith and JJ Kotzé, all title winners from the 22/23 season, have signed up again. Junior players Springbok prop Zachary Porthen, loosehead Vernon Matongo and centre Josh Boulle have also signed extensions after coming through the Stormers Rugby system.

And finally, Golf: Jean Hugo has claimed his 22nd Sunshine Tour title after winning the Sunbet Challenge at Wild Coast Sun by one shot. The 50-year-old South African carded a final-round 65 to finish eight-under-par, with Nikhil Rama second on seven-under. Hugo began the final round in joint 11th place, but three birdies on the front nine and another three on the back nine lifted him to victory. The win places him among the top five players for Sunshine Tour victories. It is his first title since becoming a senior professional.

Stay tuned for more news………….