News 13:00

BULLETIN 30 August 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The SACP reaffirms its alliance with ANC despite its decision on the 2026 elections
# The DA mourns the passing of the UIM president Neil de Beer
# And golf: Chalupsky and Bartlett lead sports stars in a conservation drive

# The South African Communist Party says it still views the ANC as a partner, despite plans to contest the 2026 local government elections independently. Spokesperson Mbulelo Mandlana told the SABC News that the alliance is rooted in a broader political programme beyond elections. Mandlana admitted the ANC-SACP task team is still in its early stages. He said public criticism of the ANC is necessary to foster accountability and mutual respect:

# Western Cape MEC for Mobility Isaac Sileku has welcomed the High Court’s urgent interdict against Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association and the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association following days of taxi violence. Sileku said this enforces compliance and an end to taxi violence. He stressed to Newzroom Afrika that the associations must present a plan in three days on how they will implement the court’s requirements:

Meanwhile, Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, has called on associations to stop bullying commuters and motorists, reaffirming commuters’ constitutional right to choose their mode of transport. To address instability, Diale-Tlabela says the Public Transport Crisis Committee is convening weekly with industry stakeholders, and a hotline will be established for reporting harassment. She confirmed that the Gauteng Transport Inspectorate has intensified impounding unroadworthy and illegal vehicles to safeguard commuters’ safety:

# The DA is mourning the loss of United Independent Movement president Neil de Beer. DA leader John Steenhuisen described De Beer as a powerful voice for change whose fearless, uncompromising style challenged many while representing countless others. He says De Beer will be remembered for his role in establishing the Multi-Party Charter. The DA extends condolences and prayers to his family, honoring a man of restless energy who now rests eternally.

# Pro-Palestinian activists are preparing to set sail from Spain on Sunday for Gaza in dozens of boats carrying aid. Hundreds of people from 44 countries, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, are due to depart from several ports to Gaza as part of the largest ever flotilla of this kind. They have called on governments to pressure Israel to allow the boats through the naval blockade. In June, Israeli naval forces boarded and seized a British-flagged yacht carrying Thunberg, among others. Israel dismissed the aid ship as a propaganda stunt in support of Hamas.

# And golf: South African sports legends Oscar Chalupsky and Shaun Bartlett will each captain a stellar lineup of sports stars who will come together to compete for the second Conservation Cup at Pearl Valley on Thursday, 4 September, to raise funds for local conservation projects. Chalupsky will captain Team Rhino, and Bartlett will lead Team Pangolin, including sports stars such as Akona Ndungane, Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher, Graeme Smith, Gary Teichmann, Mark Fish, André Joubert, Robbie Fleck, Schalk Burger Jnr, and Schalk Brits. They will be joined by an array of business leaders in the tournament, followed by a gala dinner in which is the flagship fundraiser for the conservation work of The Fisher Foundation.

Stay tuned for more news………….