News 14:00

BULLETIN 8 September 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The National Prosecuting Authority is to open an inquest into the 1993 killing of children in Mthatha
# BLSA urges government to act on the B20 roadmap recommendations to save 250-thousand jobs
# And tennis: Carlos Alcaraz returns to the top of the world rankings following his US Open triumph

# The National Prosecuting Authority has welcomed approval by Justice and Constitutional Development minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, for an inquest into the 1993 killing of five children by the apartheid-era South African Defence Force in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. The victims, aged 12 to 17, were gunned down at the home of PAC activist, Sigqibo Mpendulo. The NPA’s Luxolo Tyali says the SADF claimed responsibility, alleging links to the Azanian People’s Liberation Army:

# Business Leadership South Africa says the government must urgently act on Business 20 recommendations to protect jobs and boost growth. In her weekly newsletter, the organisation’s CEO, Busi Mavuso warns that 250-thousand jobs could be lost across supply chains, worsened by US trade pressures. Mavuso says South Africa should use special economic zones, improve digital infrastructure, streamline regulations and create industry-led skills programmes. She stresses that keeping the status quo would worsen the jobs crisis, and urges swift reforms to revive the economy.

# A major search operation including sea, air, and shoreline search continues for 38-year-old kite-boarder Graham Howes of Bloubergstrand, Cape Town, today. The National Sea Rescue Institute says Howes was last seen offshore of Eden on the Bay yesterday afternoon, wearing a black wetsuit and using a white kite sail with red writing. Despite the extensive search, no trace has been found. The search grids has stretched to Dassen Island. Authorities urge the public to report any sightings immediately.

# The South African Weather Service has issued a yellow level 2 alert for severe thundershowers with heavy rain in several parts of Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal. The downpours can lead to flooding of roads and settlements. Residents in low-lying areas are advised to take extra precautions due to potential localised flooding. The SA Weather Service says the thunderstorms may also cause danger to life due to fast-flowing water or streams, damage or loss of infrastructure and major travel disruptions.

# Tennis: Following his US Open triumph, Carlos Alcaraz is back to the world number one ranking for the first time since 2023. The 22-year-old Spaniard defeated Italian rival Jannik Sinner in four sets to claim his second title at Flushing Meadows and sixth Grand Slam title. Sinner held the world number one position for 65 consecutive weeks. Alcaraz says achieving one of the big targets he set for himself at the start of the year feels amazing:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-55-cents and the euro at 20-rand-58-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-72-cents and Bitcoin trades at 112-thousand-72-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-616-dollars-82-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-55-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….