News 13:00

BULLETIN 29 August 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The High Court grants the Western Cape government an interdict to end taxi violence
# The IEC reports a 40-million-rand surge in political donations
# And cricket: Josh Hazlewood expects a huge batting onslaught from England in the Ashes Series

# The Western Cape High Court granted the provincial Mobility Department an urgent interdict to implement measures in response to the ongoing minibus taxi-related violence in Mfuleni, Somerset West, Nomzamo and Lwandle in Cape Town, which resulted in loss of life. Premier Alan Winde says the interim interdict is aimed at protecting commuters, operators and members of the public from further harm:

# The Electoral Commission’s first quarterly political funding report for 2025/26 shows parties declared 40.4-million-rand in donations between April and June, more than double the previous two quarters. The DA dominated with 32.2-million-rand, mainly from Fynbos Kapitaal and Fynbos Ekwiteit. The ANC declared 7.6-million-rand from Chancellor House. Meanwhile, watchdog My Vote Counts criticised recent amendments raising disclosure thresholds, warning they undermine transparency ahead of the 2026 local elections. This week, the IEC also announced 34 new political parties, bringing the total to 472.

# Union federation Saftu demands debt cancellation for Eskom’s onerous debt, funded by redirecting corporate tax breaks, curbing illicit financial flows, and reprioritising public expenditure. Spokesperson Asive Dyani says instead of meaningful investment in public infrastructure and a just energy transition, government continues to burden consumers to bail out Eskom’s 400-billion-rand debt. She says South Africa need a massive public investment plan in renewable energy generation:

# Women and Men Against Child Abuse has welcomed the conviction of former preschool teacher Amber-Lee Hughes, who confessed to drowning her boyfriend’s four-year-old daughter in 2023. The High Court in Johannesburg found her guilty of the premeditated murder and rape of Nada-Jane Challita. She will be sentenced in October. WMACA says Hughes should receive a life sentence. It adds this heartbreaking case highlights the urgent need to address the dangers children face from abusive stepparents or unsuitable partners trusted with their care.

# Cricket: Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood expects a huge batting onslaught from England in the Ashes Series, saying the visitors will certainly bring their strongest team he’d ever encountered. He wants to play a four-day match in the local Sheffield Shield in the run-up to the five Tests after recently playing in five of the six white-ball matches against South Africa. Hazlewood believes English batters such as Joe Root and Harry Brook could be dangerous. The first Test starts in Perth on the 21st of November.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-75-cents and the euro at 20-rand-73-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-92-cents and Bitcoin trades at 109-thousand-699-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-408-dollars-59-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-32-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….