News 12:00

BULLETIN 30 September 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Matthew Chaskalson steps in as chief evidence leader at the Madlanga commission of inquiry
# Cosatu says individuals involved in the Tembisa Hospital looting must face the full might of the law
# And hot to very hot and uncomfortable weather conditions are expected over the Western Cape today

# Senior counsel Matthew Chaskalson has been appointed chief evidence leader of the Madlanga commission of inquiry into criminality, political interference and corruption in the justice system. This follows Advocate Terry Motau’s abrupt resignation less than ten days into the role. Chaskalson, a veteran of the Marikana and the state capture inquiries, joins senior counsel Mahlape Sello and Adila Hassim. The high-pressure commission, chaired by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, has six months to deliver its report to president Cyril Ramaphosa.

# Union federation Cosatu in Gauteng has welcomed the revelations in the Special Investigating Unit’s report that more than two-billion-rand was looted at Tembisa Hospital in Gauteng. The SIU has referred 116 officials for disciplinary action and is working with the National Prosecuting Authority to recover assets and pursue criminal charges. Cosatu’s provincial chairperson, Amos Monyela, says the corruption at the hospital has had devastating consequences for both healthcare workers and patients:

# The South African Weather Service has forecast hot to very hot and uncomfortable conditions over the Western Cape today. Temperatures are expected to reach the mid to high 30s and early 40s in some areas. The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre spokesperson, Charlotte Powell, says should the forecast hold, it can present significant health and environmental impacts. She adds they will monitor the situation and coordinate any responses required:

Moving abroad:

# US vice president JD Vance believes a federal government shutdown will happen as an impasse remains on how to keep funding flowing. A last-ditch meeting between president Donald Trump and Democratic leaders in Congress on Monday made little progress. Democrats are refusing to support the Republican Party’s legislation to continue funding beyond today unless it includes several healthcare provisions. Vance has pinned the blame on Democrats for demanding negotiations on health care funding in exchange for keeping the government open:

# Cricket: England Women’s coach Charlotte Edwards expects at least a semifinal finish in the one-day World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, starting today with the match between the two hostesses in Guwahati. England’s first encounter is against South Africa on Friday. England lost to Australia in the final of the previous tournament in 2022. Edwards hopes their victories over Australia and India in recent warm-up matchets will boost their confidence. The eight teams play each other once and the top-four advance to the semifinals.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-28-cents and the euro at 20-rand-28-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-22-cents and Bitcoin trades at 113-thousand-611-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-628-dollars-68-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-23-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….