News 13:00

BULLETIN 4 October 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The High Court dismisses president Ramaphosa’s bid to halt a damages case
# General Mkhwanazi will testify before the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee next week
# And the ANC NEC meets to finalise its election guidelines

# The Pretoria High Court has rejected with costs president Cyril Ramaphosa’s bid to indefinitely delay a 167-million-rand damages claim filed by 22 families of murdered and missing anti-apartheid activists. Judge Nicoline Janse van Nieuwenhuizen said it’s in the public interest for families to find closure, stating that the government was the sole cause of decades-long delays. The Foundation for Human Rights and the affected families welcomed the judgement, stating that the government has a history of not considering commission recommendations.

# KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi will appear before Parliament’s ad hoc committee next Tuesday and Wednesday to address allegations of criminal infiltration in the justice system. Evidence will be led by Senior Counsel Norman Arendse, who confirmed that Mkhwanazi’s statement has been finalised. Arendse confirmed the team is working around the clock to ensure the statement is ready:

# The ANC is convening a special meeting of its National Executive Committee from today until Monday at the Birchwood Hotel in Johannesburg. The NEC will deliberate on the economy, governance, and service delivery, and finalise guidelines for the upcoming local government elections. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula says the party aims to rebuild its fortunes by selecting qualified candidates and focusing on key issues of economic development:

# The United Democratic Movement has joined international calls for the immediate release of Global Sumud Flotilla activists, including South Africans detained while delivering aid to Gaza. UDM deputy president Nqabayomzi Kwankwa says their abduction undermines humanitarian principles and violates international law. Kwankwa criticised Israel’s defiance of International Court of Justice rulings on Rafah, warning peace remains impossible while aid is blocked. He reaffirmed support for Palestinian statehood, urging inclusive dialogue, human dignity, and peaceful coexistence in the region.

# And finally, rugby news:

# The Stormers outlasted and outmuscled the Ospreys at the Cape Town stadium yesterday, for a perfect start to their United Rugby Championship season. The hard-fought 26-10 victory gives the Stormers two wins in their first two games, with 9 out of a possible 10 points on the log. The Sharks and the Dragons played to a 17-17 draw in their URC clash in Newport, Wales, in tepid conditions. The Bulls and Leinster will meet each other at 6.30 this afternoon at Loftus in Pretoria, while the Lions have travelled to Italy for their clash against Zebre tomorrow afternoon.   

And Springbok captain Siya Kolisi expects Argentina to show plenty of fight at Twickenham today, despite last week’s 67-30 mauling as the Springboks chase a second straight Rugby Championship crown. Kolisi’s back-to-back world champions top the table by a single point heading into the sixth and final round of the southern hemisphere championship. The South Africans will start the match, technically a “home” game for Argentina, as favourites after a dominant display in Durban last weekend. Kick-off is at 3 pm SA time.

Stay tuned for more news………….