News 12:00

BULLETIN 8 September 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ramaphosa says the fight against corruption is complex and multifaceted
# ATM calls for underage pregnancy to be declared a national pandemic
# And rugby: Rassie makes wholesale changes to the Boks’ team for the Wellington Test

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the fight against corruption is complex, multifaceted and protracted, and requires the dismantling of systems of patronage that have become entrenched over many years. He received the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council’s final report over a week ago. The report includes a recommendation to establish a permanent, independent, overarching anti-corruption body. In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa says as the report points out, government needs to pursue institutional reform to address the shortcomings in practices and systems that have enabled corruption to flourish. 

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa will take part in a virtual BRICS leaders’ summit this afternoon, which will be chaired by his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The Presidency says the gathering provides a platform for leaders to exchange views on global issues, with a particular focus on the current economic environment and the state of the multilateral system. The summit follows a meeting in Rio de Janeiro in July. Today’s gathering will focus on BRICS’ role in fostering dialogue, cooperation, and sustainable global governance.

# Cosatu says it rejects the attempts by AfriForum and other right-wing extremists to block the National Economic Development and Labour Council engagements on the Firearms Amendment Bill. This comes as the SA Gun Owners’ Association, AfriForum and Safe Citizen have raised the alarm over an internal Business Unity SA notice claiming Nedlac was assembling a task team on the bill. Cosatu’s spokesperson, Matthew Parks, says the bill is essential in tightening firearm regulation:

# ATM is calling upon government to officially declare the teenage pregnancy crisis a national pandemic, prompting immediate allocation of resources and attention. The party says over two-thousand-716 girls aged ten to 14 gave birth in just one year, and more than 100 of these cases were reported in the Eastern Cape alone from April to July this year. ATM’s spokesperson, Zama Ntshona, says this is a national crisis that demands immediate and comprehensive action:

# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has made bold changes to the team that will face New Zealand in their second Rugby Championship clash in Wellington on Saturday following the loss in Auckland. There are a new halfback pairing – Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu – a new midfield pairing – Damian Willemse and Canan Moodie – a new wing, Ethan Hooker, and a new fullback, Aphelele Fassi. Captain Siya Kolisi returns to flanker. Eben Etzebeth, Handré Pollard, Damian de Allende, Willie le Roux, Jesse Kriel and Marco van Staden are not included.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-52-cents and the euro at 20-rand-56-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-68-cents and Bitcoin trades at 111-thousand-246-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-613-dollars-63-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-31-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….