News 12:00

BULLETIN 29 September 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The American ambassador to South Africa accuses government of putting its ideology above its own people
# The state calls for jail time for the convicted paedophile Iain Wares
# And severe thunderstorms are expected to hit five provinces

# US ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell is calling on government to put its ideological posturing aside and put citizens first. The US has imposed new visa restrictions targeting South Africans linked to policies it considers discriminatory. In an opinion piece for Daily Maverick, Bozell says government’s refusal to condemn the incitement of violence against a targeted community is wrong, and the refusal to loosen ownership rules is stunningly shortsighted. He says the US eagerly hopes government will rethink this hostility.

# State social worker Phumzile Sithole calls for direct imprisonment for convicted paedophile Iain Wares. She was testifying in pre-sentencing proceedings at the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court in Cape Town. Sithole says 87-year-old former teacher in Scotland and South Africa is unrepentant, denies his crimes and blames others for his conviction. Sithole stresses the long-term trauma inflicted on vulnerable children and the fact the abuse was premeditated, repeated at school and a violation of trust by a teacher. Final arguments will be heard on 23 October.

# The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance says the recent mass shootings have exposed gaps in how liquor outlets are licensed, located and monitored, especially in poor, densely populated areas. Eighteen people were killed at a tavern in Wedela on the Gauteng West Rand, and ten at an entertainment venue in Lwandle, Cape Town, over the weekend. The alliance’s Nomcebo Dlamini told Newzroom Afrika liquor outlets cannot deflect blame onto already overburdened police:

# Rugby: All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has named a strong 34-man squad for next month’s two Bledisloe Cup Tests against the Wallabies. Thirty-one players who were in the original 44-man squad for Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the Springboks have been retained, as well as Richie Mo’unga, who joined the squad in South Africa as an injury replacement. Codie Taylor will captain the side, while Scott Barrett returns following a long injury layoff. Shannon Frizell will make his return for the first time since 2023.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-40-cents and the euro at 18-rand-62-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-72-cents and Bitcoin trades at 84-thousand-142-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-141-dollars-81-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 101-dollars-90-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Severe thunderstorms are expected to hit several parts of South Africa today. Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and the Northern Cape will be affected. SA Weather Service forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela says the storms could cause localised flooding, damage to homes and dangerous driving conditions. He urges residents to avoid flooded roads, seek shelter during lightning and secure loose outdoor items:

Stay tuned for more news………….