News 14:00

BULLETIN 17 September 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Justice Madlanga warns if Mkhwanazi’s allegations are true, they could spell doom for the criminal justice system
# South Africa’s annual inflation eases to 3.3-percent in August and food prices soften
# And rugby: Rassie Erasmus keeps faith in the core of the Bok squad to face the Pumas

# Retired deputy chief justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga says if the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi are proven true, they could spell doom for the criminal justice system. Opening the judicial commission of inquiry into criminality, political interference, and corruption, Madlanga said infiltration or undue influence would undermine the rule of law and constitutional democracy. He described corruption, intimidation, and interference as a cancer within the system:

Meanwhile, the DA’s Lisa Schickerling says Mkhwanazi’s allegations of politicians interfering within the police has shaken public confidence. She says the commission must expose political interference and criminal infiltration without fear or favour:

# Statistics South Africa says annual consumer price inflation slowed to 3.3-percent in August, down from 3.5-percent in July. Price Statistics chief director Patrick Kelly says softer food and fuel prices helped ease the rate. Annual inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages dropped to 5.2-percent, while fuel fell 5.7-percent. Kelly says staples, including cereals and white rice, are cheaper, but beef and certain vegetables remain costly:

# Deputy Finance minister Ashor Sarupen has called on governments, the private sector, development finance institutions, and multilateral partners to create enabling environments for micro, small, and medium enterprises. Speaking at a G20 side event in Johannesburg, Sarupen highlighted that MSMEs account for 91-percent of South Africa’s businesses and 60-percent of jobs. He stressed the need for diverse financing, market access, skills development, and supportive policies to unlock inclusive, sustainable growth and strengthen the informal sector.

# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named most of the players who were members of the squad that beat New Zealand last weekend in his squad for their closing two Rugby Championship matches against Argentina in Durban and London. The squad will assemble in Durban tomorrow after having a few days off with their families. Willie le Roux has been left out. Due to injuries Lood de Jager, Jean-Luc du Preez, Aphelele Fassi, Gerhard Steenekamp, Frans Malherbe, Salmaan Moerat, and Kurt-Lee Arendse will also not play.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-38-cents and the euro at 20-rand-57-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-71-cents and Bitcoin trades at 116-thousand-439-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-666-dollars-46-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-64-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….