News 13:00

BULLETIN 23 September 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The KwaZulu-Natal premier links the KwaMakhutha mass shootings to a possible drug turf dispute
# Police seize electronic devices during a raid at minister Mchunu’s home in KwaZulu-Natal
# And tennis: Alcaraz boasts a strong record against his Laver Cup rivals

# KwaZulu-Natal premier Thami Ntuli says the KwaMakhutha mass shootings in Durban could be linked to drug turf disputes and illegal firearms. Police are searching for suspects after eleven people, including a pregnant woman, were killed and three others wounded in Ziko. Ntuli says community reports point to drugs and regular gunfire in the area. He has called for increased police visibility, and urged residents to share information:

Staying in KwaZulu-Natal:

# Police executed a search and seizure at suspended Police minister Senzo Mchunu’s private family home. Electronic devices were seized. This was the second time one of Mchunu’s homes was raided, as a similar operation was conducted at his Midrand property in October last year. KZN police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda says the operation was part of an ongoing investigation into cases of defeating the ends of justice and fraud that were opened at the Durban Central police station in 2025.

# The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities has expressed concern over the arrest of suspended deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya. He is accused of sexually grooming a 16-year-old girl and raping an 18-year-old at a hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg. Spokesperson Cassius Selala says these allegations are deeply troubling given the responsibility law enforcement officials have to protect women and girls:

Moving abroad:

# US president Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, has confirmed he held talks with the Iranian delegation through Qatari mediators on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This comes after Trump threatened to annihilate Tehran if a deal to end the war is not reached, or to help the country rebuild. Witkoff says he hopes the discussions will prove constructive. The Iranian Foreign Ministry says the mediator communicated Tehran’s conditions, including an end to the war and US acts of aggression.

# Tennis: Carlos Alcaraz heads into this weekend’s Laver Cup for Team Europe with a 19-2 career record against the Team World players. The Spaniard is unbeaten against Alex de Minaur and Francisco Cerundolo, while he leads Taylor Fritz 5-1 and Ben Shelton 3-1. He has also beaten Alexander Bublik in their only meeting, but has never faced Learner Tien. Alcaraz says Team Europe is determined to reclaim the trophy after losing 15-9 to Team World in San Francisco last year. The Laver Cup starts in London on Friday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-25-cents and the euro at 18-rand-55-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-60-cents and Bitcoin trades at 85-thousand-981-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-319-dollars-47-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 99-dollars-92-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….