News 13:00

BULLETIN 28 August 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Referendum Party says Julius Malema has been allowed to issue threats of violence against minorities for too long
# The High Court rules in favour of Daily Maverick in Collen Mashawana’s gag order attempt
# And soccer: The final of the MTN8 will be played in Mbombela on 13 September

# The Referendum Party has welcomed the Equality Court’s ruling finding EFF leader Julius Malema guilty of hate speech, and called for sanctions to be pursued to the fullest extent of the law. The party’s Robert King says for too long Malema has been allowed to issue threats of violence and racist tirades against minorities, particularly white and Indian communities, with near total impunity:

The Freedom Front Plus has also welcomed the ruling. The case stems from an October 2022 rally speech where Malema chastised party members for not acting against a white man who was part of a group that attacked them outside Brackenfell High School in Cape Town. The FF Plus’ Corné Mulder says it was about time that Malema was brought to book for his hateful and racist remarks:

# Daily Maverick has welcomed the High Court in Johannesburg’s dismissal with costs of businessman Collen Mashawana’s urgent application against the publication. Mashawana had sought an order to prevent further reporting by Daily Maverick and investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh on corruption allegations against him, his foundation and suspended Independent Development Trust CEO Tebogo Malaka. Acting Judge Alex Pullinger struck the application from the roll. Myburgh says this is a big victory for investigative journalism and media freedom.

# Police say they remain steadfast in their commitment to eradicate illegal mining networks and safeguard the security and well-being of communities. A total of 215 suspects were arrested across the country during Operation Vala Umgodi last week. Police spokesperson, Vincent Mukhathi, says the suspects were arrested for offences including the unlawful possession of explosives, gold-bearing material and unlicensed firearms:

# Soccer: The Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga will host the final of the MTN8 between Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch on the 13th of next month. The Premier League confirmed three-time defending champion Pirates has been drawn as the home team. The match will be a repeat of last year’s final when they beat Stellenbosch 3-1 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Pirates beat Mamelodi Sundowns in the semifinal, while Stellenbosch beat Sekhukhune United. Information on ticket sales will be announced later.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-67-cents and the euro at 20-rand-59-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-87-cents and Bitcoin trades at 112-thousand-980-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-399-dollars-89-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-96-cents a barrel. 

Stay tuned for more news………….