News 13:00

BULLETIN 16 July 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# An investigator explains the IDAC probe process to the Madlanga commission
# American soldiers will undergo mandatory testosterone screening
# And rugby: The All Blacks’ coach makes four changes for the Ireland clash

# An officer of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, Brian Padayachee, has told the Madlanga commission corruption cases begin with preliminary investigations before formal criminal dockets are opened. Investigators first assess allegations, and if no evidence is found, the matter is closed. Padayachee says where evidence of a crime emerges, investigators gather further proof before registering a formal docket, so affidavits may be taken months before a case is officially registered:

# Forum for South Africa says the closure of 58 illegal initiation schools, the arrest of 40 suspects, and the opening of 116 criminal cases demonstrate illegal practices continue to threaten the lives of young South Africans. The death toll from the winter season has risen to 43. FOSA leader, Tebogo Mashilompane, says illegal initiation schools, unqualified traditional surgeons, and those who exploit cultural practices for financial gain must be held accountable:

Moving abroad:

# US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says all active-duty service members aged 30 and older will have to undergo annual testosterone screening. This follows recent efforts by president Donald Trump’s administration to make testosterone therapy more widely available. Soldiers below the age of 30 ‌could request to be tested. Hegseth says this initiative is intended to identify and address testosterone deficiency that could affect military readiness:

# Rugby: All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has made four changes to the side that thrashed Italy 47-17 last week, for their Nations Championship clash against Ireland at Eden Park on Saturday. Tupou Vaa’i shifts from lock to flanker, with Josh Lord and Patrick Tuipulotu forming the second-row partnership. In the backline, Quinn Tupaea returns to the starting line-up, replacing Billy Proctor, and Josh Moorby has been promoted from the bench to start at wing in place of the injured Leroy Carter. Rennie says they have selected a strong team.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-33-cents and the euro at 18-rand-73-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-8-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-53-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-34-dollars-30-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 83-dollars-41-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Minister of Social Development, Dina Pule, has called on South Africans to speak out against gender-based violence and femicide, and not wait to report abuse before it escalates into tragedy. Nearly half of all rapes reported in South Africa during the fourth quarter of the previous financial year took place in the homes of either the victim or the perpetrator, highlighting the persistent threat of gender-based violence behind closed doors. Pule says despite constitutional protections and a range of government interventions, GBVF remains among South Africa’s most pressing social challenges.

Stay tuned for more news………….