News 13:00

BULLETIN 19 October 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Fikile Mbalula says the ANC must protect and defend its integrity
# The Cape Town Marathon management is devastated by the event cancellation
# And cricket: The Proteas Women are the second team to qualify for the World Cup knockouts 

# ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula says the party must defend its integrity, claiming president Cyril Ramaphosa is unfairly targeted, even over minor incidents like jogging past a man linked to wrongdoing. Speaking in Mpumalanga, Mbalula added that corruption allegations are being used to discredit the ANC, warning that such practices continue to erode society’s moral fabric. He called on members and citizens to remain vigilant in upholding ethical standards and accountability:

# Cape Town Marathon CEO Clark Gardner has expressed devastation after the race was cancelled due to strong, uncontrollable winds reaching about 40 kilometres per hour. Over 24-thousand runners from around the world were set to compete in the 42.2-kilometre event. Gardner says the decision is supported by sponsors and the City of Cape Town, stating that safety must always come first:

Meanwhile, Western Cape MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, has expressed disappointment over the cancellation of the marathon. Mackenzie says the decision, made with safety authorities, prioritised the well-being of runners, volunteers, and spectators. Mackenzie, who was set to participate in the 42-kilometre race, urged athletes to keep the marathon spirit alive by staying active and joining local community runs:

# Protesters have gathered in northern Germany on Saturday, demanding the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann be ousted from where he lives. More than 150 demonstrators assembled over the whereabouts of the 48-year-old convicted paedophile and rapist Christian B. He is suspected by German police of abducting three-year-old Madeleine from her parents’ holiday apartment in Portugal in 2007. Since his release from prison in September, he has been unable to settle because many hotels evict him once they realise who he is, and he has also been turned away by some homeless shelters.

# And sports news:

# Cricket: The Proteas Women on Saturday became the second team to secure their spot in the ICC Cricket World Cup semifinals. This followed after New Zealand and Pakistan shared points in Colombo after a rainout. The South African women have had a solid tournament thus far and rebounded superbly from a 10-wicket thrashing by England in their opening game. They hit back with successive wins against New Zealand, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. The Proteas are second on the log behind Australia, who have also qualified, with two more semifinal spots up for grabs.

And motorsport: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is on pole for the US Grand Prix later today, while McLaren’s Formula One championship leader Oscar Piastri is qualifying sixth. The Australian is 22 points clear of his teammate Lando Norris, and 55 points ahead of Verstappen. Verstappen’s bid for a fifth successive title, once dismissed as impossible, is gaining strength after he also won yesterday’s sprint race while both McLarens crashed out. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc qualified third fastest and shares the second row with Mercedes’ George Russell. Ferrari’s seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton qualified fifth and shares the third row with Piastri.

Stay tuned for more news………….