News 13:00

BULLETIN 11 August 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# More than 40-thousand rape cases and and over 24-thousand murders were reported in the 2024/25 financial year
# Fadiel Adams’ testimony is postponed at the Madlanga commission
# And tennis: Sinner withdraws from the Cincinnati Open due to an injury

# Acting Police minister, Firoz Cachalia, has expressed concern at the escalation of violent crime. South Africa recorded 24-thousand-692 murders, more than 40-thousand rape cases and 190-thousand common assaults during the 2024/25 financial year. In a parliamentary reply, Cachalia revealed ten-thousand-129 murders were referred for prosecution, with three-thousand-628 resulting in convictions. A further 892 resulted in acquittals, while 893 were recorded as dismissals. Cachalia says the figures also highlight the high pressure the judicial and court systems are under.

# The Madlanga commission has postponed the testimony of National Coloured Congress leader and Member of Parliament Fadiel Adams to next week Wednesday. Evidence leader Michael Chaskalson says Adams’ statement was only received last night, despite repeated requests since October last year. Chaskalson emphasises the commission needs sufficient time to study the statement and prepare its line of questioning as Adams is an important witness:

# Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile urges learners, parents, and school communities to take precautions amid cold and wet weather across the province. The department’s spokesperson, Onwabile Lubhelwana, encouraged learners to dress warmly and attend school as normal if they are healthy and it is safe to travel. He warns learners against making fires on school premises, as this poses serious safety risks. Lubhelwana urges parents to exercise caution when travelling:

# The fiancé of pregnant South African woman Nqobile Malangeni is pleading for her release after she was detained by US immigration authorities in Las Vegas. She remains in custody after being detained on 30 July while preparing to fly to Connecticut. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement says Malangeni overstayed her stay and is subject to a final removal order. Her unnamed fiancé, a former US armed forces member, says they planned to marry and fears he may not meet their child if she is deported.

# Tennis: World number one Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open due to a right knee injury, raising concerns over his fitness ahead of the US Open, which starts on the 30th. The Italian has not competed since capturing his second straight Wimbledon title last month. Sinner says he is focused on getting ready for the last Grand Slam tournament of the year. The Cincinnati Open’s main draw begins on Thursday with Germany’s Alexander Zverev and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic among the stars in action.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-24-cents and the euro at 18-rand-73-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-93-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-133-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-374-dollars-63-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 92-dollars-57-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….