News 12:00

BULLETIN 23 September 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ATM says government was not prepared to deal with the bad weather conditions
# More than 500 suspects were arrested in Tshwane over the weekend
# And Rugby: Erasmus says improvements are needed ahead of the Championship title decider against Argentina

# The African Transformation Movement says is concerning that government was not prepared for the adverse weather conditions despite warnings from the South African Weather Service. Parts of the country experienced cold weather including snow resulting in the death of two people in KwaZulu. ATM’s spokesperson, Zama Ntshona, says relevant authorities must conduct a thorough review of their response mechanism, and implement the necessary improvements to ensure better preparedness:

# A total of 561 suspects were arrested for various offences in Tshwane during several successful operations over the past weekend. Police spokesperson, Johan van Dyk, says the suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from rape, gender-based violence, armed robbery and theft. He says 29 undocumented immigrants were detained:

# Western Cape MEC for Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, says upon completion the Metro Grounds Housing Development in George will deliver 436 housing opportunities. Eighteen houses and title deeds have been handed over at the housing development. Simmers says  the handover of title deeds means more than just becoming the owner of a house but also empowers the title holder to ensure a better future for their loved ones:

# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says they have a lot to work on ahead of their title-deciding Rugby Championship match against Argentina in Mbombela on Saturday. The Los Pumas defeated South Africa 29-28 in Santiago del Estero to keep alive their slim hopes of claiming a first-ever Rugby Championship title. Players who were rested for the Argentina leg of the tournament will rejoin the squad today, resuming with a full training programme. Erasmus says they have a chance to redeem themselves on Saturday.

# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-42-cents and the euro at 19-rand-36-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-14-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-404-dollars-41-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-616-dollars-57-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-56-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelethini, who was born at Hlabisa Hospital in northern KwaZulu-Natal, is celebrating his 50th birthday today. He is the first-born son of the late King Goodwill Zwelithini and his late, Queen Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu. The Zulu Nation Traditional Prime Minister, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has wished blessings upon the King’s life and wisdom to lead his people. His Majesty will spend the day in quiet reflection ahead of the official King Shaka’s Day Commemoration event at KwaDukuza tomorrow, where he will deliver the keynote address.

Stay tuned for more news………….