News 13:00

BULLETIN 7 October 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# An analyst says the debate on John Hlophe’s JSC eligibility sparks a deeper political decay
# Another mass shooting takes place in the Eastern Cape
# And road running: Johannesburg’s leg of the SPAR Women’s Challenge was a major success

# Political analyst Mpumelelo Mkhabela warns that the legal controversy around MK Party parliamentary leader John Hlophe’s eligibility for the Judicial Service Commission reflects deeper political decay. The impeached judge was hindered from taking part in the JSC’s interviews for judges’ positions, commencing today. Critics, including the DA, argue that as an impeached judge he shouldn’t serve on the JSC. Mkhabela emphasises the need for parliamentary reforms on eligibility and highlights the need for a parliamentary overhaul. He urges Parliament to begin reforms before the next elections to ensure a moral high ground for MPs.

# Eastern Cape police have launched a manhunt following the killing of six people in Godini village near Qumbu last night. Four people were injured. It is believed the victims were members of the community policing forum. This incident comes just over a week after 18 people were gunned down in Lusikisiki. Spokesperson Majola Nkhohli says the motive for the latest shooting is still unclear at this stage:

# Women’s Action Campaign South Africa is holding a silent protest in Parliament today, calling on government to take stronger action against conflict-related sexual violence. They will also hand over a petition to members of Parliament’s portfolio committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. The campaign’s spokesperson, Angie Richardson, says they want to create awareness in the country about the use of conflict-related sexual violence as a weapon:

# Road running: The organisers of the Johannesburg leg of the SPAR Women’s Challenge series say the race was a huge success, with over ten-thousand participants. South Africa’s Glenrose Xaba clinched the SPAR Grand Prix title with an emphatic win in the ten-kilometre. Defending champion Tadu Nare finished second and her Ethiopian teammate, Diniya Abaraya, was third. This year, the race proceeds will support charity organisations such as Reach for Recovery, the Smile Foundation, and Headstart Kids.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-42-cents and the euro at 19-rand-10-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-88-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-297-dollars-38-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-651-dollars-83-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-50-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The City of Johannesburg says it is thrilled to have been part of an electrifying Formula One Red Bull Showrun event, which took place in Sandton yesterday. F1 legend David Coulthard drove the championship-winning RB7 car, thrilling fans with its speed and precision. The metro’s spokesperson, Virgil James, says the event not only provided a platform for international brand exposure but also created temporary job opportunities for locals:

Stay tuned for more news………….