News 13:00

BULLETIN 16 August 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Saftu commemorates the 14th anniversary of the Marikana massacre
# The ACDP says drastic action is needed in the form of anti-gang legislation
# And Hurricane Lala lashes Hawaii with 89-thousand losing power

# Saftu has joined the families, survivors, mineworkers and the entire working class in commemorating the 14th anniversary of the Marikana Massacre today. In August 2012, police opened fire on striking mineworkers at Lonmin’s platinum mine in Marikana, North West, killing 34 workers. The workers were engaged in a struggle for a living wage, centred on the demand for 12-thousand-500-rand a month. Saftu’s Asive Dyani says fourteen years later, millions of South African workers still remain trapped in poverty wages:

# The African Christian Democratic Party is calling on government to urgently prioritise the fight against anti-gang violence in communities across the country. The party’s Palesa Yates says the recent senseless killings in Reiger Park, Gauteng, of two young women and two police officers are a case in point. She argues that standard police deployments are not enough to stop criminal syndicates. Yates says drastic action is needed in the form of anti-gang legislation:

# COSATU Gauteng supports the Education Department’s decision to deploy security personnel to 245 schools labeled as high-risk across the province. However, Cosatu chairperson, Amos Monyela says the success of this initiative will depend on effective implementation, sufficient resources, meaningful oversight and an ongoing collaboration between school governing bodies, parents, educators, learners and communities. He says school safety must become a long-term commitment rather than a momentary response:

# Hurricane Lala is battering Hawaii with strong winds and heavy rain, leaving more than 89-thousand households without power. The Category One storm has brought flooding and dangerous conditions, with the National Hurricane Center warning of life-threatening floods and mudslides. Hawaii Governor Josh Green says some areas have received more than 33 centimetres of rain. Tropical storm warnings are in place across several islands, including Maui, Oahu and Kauai. Fallen trees have damaged the power infrastructure, while major airports have closed. Residents have been urged to remain sheltered as damaging winds continue.

# And finally, rugby and soccer news:

# Rugby: New Zealand coach Scott Robertson faces selection questions ahead of the opening Test against South Africa, with doubts over Damian McKenzie’s fitness. Robertson is also expected to manage Richie Mo’unga’s return carefully. Mo’unga has been brought into the squad as injury cover and is eager to make an impact, but the coaching staff is unlikely to rush him into action. The All Blacks remain unbeaten on their South African tour after convincing wins over the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls. Their first Test against the Springboks is on August 22 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

# And soccer: Morocco suffered more penalty shootout heartbreak at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, losing 3-2 to Algeria in Saturday’s third-place playoff after a one-all draw in Rabat. Kautar Azraf put Morocco ahead before Lina Boussaha equalised for Algeria in the 83rd minute. Morocco then missed three consecutive penalties, allowing Algeria to claim bronze. Despite the disappointment, Morocco have secured a place at next year’s 32-team Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Cameroon, Malawi and Algeria have also qualified, while South Africa and Ghana could join them through the intercontinental playoffs.

Stay tuned for more news………….