News 12:00

BULLETIN 21 September 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A suspected serial rapist is arrested for raping fourteen women in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng
# Cricket: The Proteas Women coach is happy with the squad depth following the Zimbabwean tour
# And high food costs fuel child malnutrition

# A 36-year-old man was arrested for allegedly raping 14 women in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. Police say the man allegedly committed his first attack in Mahlabathini, KwaZulu-Natal, in January 2010. He was arrested but released on bail before absconding from court. Spokesperson Robert Netshiunda says while out on bail, the suspect allegedly raped seven women in Pongola, one each in Paulpietersburg and Magudu, all in KwaZulu-Natal, and four in Germiston, Gauteng:

# The Gauteng government has welcomed the breakthrough in the police’s murder investigation involving the ninth victim in the series of murder cases involving women in Ekurhuleni. A man and two women have been arrested in connection with the murder of 28-year-old Gracious Nkomo, whose body was found in Dawn Park, Boksburg, last week. Provincial government spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga says they also welcome the lockdown operations in Kempton Park:

# Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson has ordered an investigation into Morial Infrastructure Group. This follows the company’s links to businessman Lawrence Mudzingayima, who was caught on video threatening a group of women at a restaurant in Sandton, Johannesburg. Macpherson has expressed concern over allegations that the company obtained multiple gradings from the Construction Industry Development Board on the same day. He says the company may also not have met the requirements for some of these gradings, which were subsequently used to secure government contracts.

# Cricket: Proteas Women head coach Mandla Mashimbyi says they have met their goals on their tour of Zimbabwe, including giving more players an opportunity. South Africa wrapped up their historic first-ever T20 international series against their neighbours with a 5-0 whitewash, with standout performances from captain Laura Wolvaardt and Miané Smit, who both scored centuries. Annerie Dercksen took a five-wicket haul in the third match. Mashimbyi says all players selected from now on are on audition for the 2029 World Cup.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-21-cents and the euro at 18-rand-60-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-70-cents and Bitcoin trades at 81-thousand-915-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-353-dollars-11-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 102-dollars-55-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group says high child malnutrition and stunting will persist as families cut back on the quantity and quality of food due to high costs. Coordinator Mervyn Abrahams revealed to Newzroom Afrika that pensioners and grant-dependent households are among the hardest hit by rising living costs. He says the high costs of basic essentials leave households with less money for food, worsening child malnutrition:

Stay tuned for more news………….