News 14:00

BULLETIN 10 July 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Twelve learners die in a school transport accident in Gauteng
# Minister Macpherson reveals massive cyber theft at the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure
# And, road running: Measures are implemented to curb cheating in the Comrades Marathon

# Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Matome Chiloane, is saddened over the death of 12 learners in an accident in Merafong this morning. Eleven learners from Rocklands Primary School and one from Laerskool Blyvooruitsig in Carletonville are among the victims, as well as their driver. Seven learners were injured. Spokesperson Steve Mabona says the children’s mini-bus crashed against a bakkie:

# Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, has disclosed cyber theft amounting to at least 300-million-rand over the past decade. The most recent attack saw 24-million-rand stolen in May. Four officials have been suspended, and 30 laptops seized. Macpherson says a comprehensive forensic investigation is underway, involving the Hawks, police, the State Security Agency, and cyber security experts:

# The search for deputy director of the Department of Water and Sanitation, Sello Machitje, continues after his reported hijacking in Gauteng on Monday. Machitje left home around 5pm for the Eastern Cape, but never arrived. Police spokesperson Noxolo Kweza confirmed a missing persons case has been opened. Police and private security traced Machitje’s vehicle to Alexandra in Johannesburg, where a 53-year-old suspect was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle.

# Road running: KwaZulu-Natal Athletics vice president Mandla Mngomezulu has announced measures to prevent cheating in the Comrades Marathon, following allegations investigated by the Comrades Marathon Association. The measures include introducing technology, technical officials on the route, photo and video footage, and timing mats to identify course cutters. Mngomezulu says this initiative aims to uphold the integrity of the ultramarathon and address claims of fraudulent qualifications submitted by participants.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-6-cents and the euro at 19-rand-54-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-14-cents and Bitcoin trades at 58-thousand-400-dollars-54-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-373-dollars-64-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 84-dollars-78-cents a barrel.

# And, president Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to the late anti-apartheid activist and former South African Council on Sport president, Frank van der Horst. He passed away at the age of 86. Ramaphosa says Van der Horst’s death makes everyone recall an era of grassroots, non-racial and inter-sectoral resistance to apartheid, and international support for the country’s struggle. The president adds that the nation is grateful for the struggle Van der Horst waged with courage, principle and clarity.

Stay tuned for more news………….