News 14:00

BULLETIN 12 September 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Taliep Petersen’s murder mastermind, Najwa Dirk, is granted parole
# The Education minister is to implement the BELA Bill once it is signed into law
# And, motorsport: McLaren to prioritise Norris as he fights for the drivers’ championship

# Najwa Dirk, who was convicted of orchestrating the 2006 murder of her husband, music icon Taliep Petersen, has been granted parole after 18-years. Her release, pending strict parole conditions, may face appeal from Petersen’s family. Dirk’s parole follows extensive evaluations of her mental and emotional state. A community imbizo in Athlone, Cape Town, is expected to discuss her parole. Dirk remains in the city’s Pollsmoor prison, with the Department of Correctional Services yet to confirm the official decision.

# Basic Education minister Siviwe Gwarube says her department will implement the BELA Bill if signed by president Cyril Ramaphosa tomorrow. This comes as DA leader John Steenhuisen warned that signing the bill could threaten the government of national unity. Despite the controversy, Gwarube assured officials at a workshop that it was time for the bill , addressing Grade R access and home-schooling regulations, to be introduced:

# The GOOD Party welcomes the arrest of former DA Cape Town mayoral committee member for Human Settlements, Malusi Booi. He and seven other co-accused are facing racketeering, money laundering, corruption and extortion charges in connection with corruption in the metro’s Human Settlements Directorate. GOOD’s Suzette Little says mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis needs to provide clarity as officials raised alarm on this matter back in 2020 already:

# Motorsport: McLaren’s Formula One team principal, Andrea Stella, says any action taken to back Lando Norris in the race for the drivers’ championship will only happen within the team’s principles of sportsmanship and fairness. The team will prioritise Norris over Oscar Piastri as they bid to win the drivers’ as well as the constructor championships. Norris heads into this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix 62 points behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Former world champion Nico Rosberg says this is all new for McLaren:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-98-cents and the euro at 19-rand-82-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-49-cents and Bitcoin trades at 58-thousand-74-dollars-66-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-520-dollars-68-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 71-dollars-80-cents a barrel.

# And finally, the ANC has extended its heartfelt wishes for a swift and complete recovery to former Public Enterprises minister and struggle stalwart, Pravin Gordhan. On Tuesday, the Gordhan family announced the 75-year-old had been admitted to hospital. The ANC’s spokesperson, Zuko Godlimpi says during this time of health challenges, the party’s thoughts and prayers are with the family, and it is confident that the strength and determination Gordhan possesses will see him through. He says they look forward to his full recovery and continued contribution to the movement.

Stay tuned for more news………….