News 14:00

BULLETIN 15 December 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Presidency confirms the Madlanga commission’s final report will be made public, but not the interim one
# The hero who disarmed a Bondi gunman is recovering after surgery
# And rugby: The Stormers’ coach expects a huge battle against the Lions on Saturday

# The Presidency has assured that the final report of the Madlanga commission of inquiry will be made public. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya emphasised it will be released once the commission concludes, with guidance on national security-sensitive areas, ensuring transparency while safeguarding critical information. Meanwhile, the interim report will remain private as some witnesses wait to give full evidence. Magwenya stressed no litigations will ensue with the interim report:

# The Activists and Citizens Forum has stressed that the selection of South Africa’s next National Director of Public Prosecutions must be based on merit, not politics. It criticises the tenure of outgoing director Shamila Batohi, highlights lost cases, including corruption, gender-based violence, and state capture matters. Spokesperson Dennis Bloem warns crime is escalating as perpetrators exploit the National Prosecuting Authority. He urges president Cyril Ramaphosa to prioritise the nation’s interest:

# Union federation Saftu warns South Africans not to be deceived by US president Donald Trump’s racist and xenophobic rhetoric. Spokesperson Asive Dyani says Trump blaming migrants and foreigners for social crises created by capitalism, imperialism diverts anger away from billionaires and corporations and turns workers against one another. She adds xenophobia does not challenge exploitation; it protects it:

# A Sydney resident who wrestled a gun from one of the attackers during yesterday’s mass shooting at Bondi Beach is recovering in hospital after undergoing surgery for bullet wounds to his arm and hand. Forty-three-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed was identified on social media as the bystander who hid behind parked cars before charging at the gunman, seizing his rifle and knocking him to the ground. A 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son carried out the attack at a Hannuka celebration, killing 15 people and wounding scores more.

# Rugby: Stormers coach John Dobson expects a huge battle in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship match against the Lions at home in Cape Town. The hosts are on a high following an undefeated campaign so far, leaving them top of the log, while the visitors are in seventh place after three victories and three losses. Dobson says home victories are non-negotiable, while captain Salmaan Moerat points out South African clashes demand a step-up regardless of form or opposition.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-82-cents and the euro at 19-rand-75-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-50-cents and Bitcoin trades at 89-thousand-776-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-347-dollars-19-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 60-dollars-84-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….