News 14:00

BULLETIN 27 July 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Judicial Service Commission recommends that Ramaphosa suspends the Eastern Cape Judge President
# The recently resigned IDAC head defends authorising the investigation into police officials
# And rugby: Captain Savea will miss the first two weeks of the All Blacks’ tour of South Africa

# The Judicial Service Commission has advised president Cyril Ramaphosa to suspend Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge after finding him guilty of gross misconduct linked to sexual harassment complaints by his secretary, Andiswa Mengo. The matter now awaits a decision by the National Assembly on possible impeachment proceedings. Mbenenge has launched an urgent High Court application seeking to block the implementation of the JSC’s findings, including his suspension and Parliament’s consideration of the matter.

# The former head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, Andrea Johnson, has told the Madlanga commission she had no reason to doubt information provided by investigators when she authorised the investigation into senior police officials. This include Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo, accused of fraud and corruption relating to the alleged irregular appointment of brigadier Dineo Mokwele. Johnson also conceded IDAC investigators could be conducting unauthorised investigations:

# The City of Ekurhuleni confirmed that Metropolitan Police Department chief Isaac Mapiyeye has been cleared of all disciplinary charges and has returned to work. The city’s spokesperson, Phakamile Mbengashe, says the disciplinary proceedings have been concluded, and Mapiyeye resumed his duties today. He says they respect the outcome of the process and remain committed to stability, accountability, and effective leadership within the department.

# The City of Tshwane is concerned over the alarming rise in drunk driving arrests. Police spokesperson Puleng Motholo says 58 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol during road safety operations in Centurion, Mamelodi, Mabopane, Bronkhorstspruit, Sinoville, and Pretoria North this weekend. She says this highlights a blatant disregard for the law by individuals who care less about road safety and the catastrophic consequences of their reckless behaviour:

# Rugby: Captain Ardie Savea won’t take part in the first two weeks of the All Blacks’ tour of South Africa. Coach Dave Rennie explains he had been training and playing non-stop since January last year, and it was decided to give him some well-earned rest. Savea will only travel to South Africa in time for the first Test against the Springboks at Ellis Park on 22 August. Cody Taylor will captain New Zealand in his absence. The tour starts against the Stormers in Cape Town next Friday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-70-cents and the euro at 19-rand-3-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-26-cents and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-291-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-95-dollars-61-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 90-dollars-58-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….