News 15:00
BULLETIN 7 August 3 pm
Good afternoon. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# A murder probe is opened after the deaths of two Johannesburg teenagers in Mpumalanga
# Minister Gwarube publishes the draft BELA Regulations for public comment
# And rugby: Mallett believes the Stormers can rattle the All Blacks tonight
# Mpumalanga police have opened a murder investigation after autopsies were performed on the bodies of two young people from Johannesburg which were found in a lodge in Sabie on Monday. It was found 17-year-old St Stithians Grade 11 learner Cameron Waldeck-Cook was strangled, while 19-year-old Ethan Coetzee, who matriculated at the same school last year, probably died by suicide. Authorities say investigations are continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident. The school has offered counselling to learners and staff.
# Basic Education minister Siviwe Gwarube has published additional draft regulations and a draft notice for public comment to support the implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act. The proposals cover school governing body elections, additional remuneration for educators, teacher development institutes and the National Education Information System. The minister says the regulations aim to provide clarity, consistency and accountability while strengthening governance:
# A Johannesburg lawyer who was allegedly kidnapped outside her Northcliff apartment has been found safe, shaken but unharmed. Police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi says Alex van Heerden was rescued in Vosloorus yesterday after being abducted while getting out of an e-hailing vehicle the previous evening. Nevhuhulwi adds one suspect has been arrested in Sebokeng and is expected to appear in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on a kidnapping charge:
# Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are signing a joint defence agreement today, at a time of regional turmoil with Gulf states coming under fire from Iran after it was attacked by the US and Israel. Reuters reports while the pact further cements a burgeoning grouping of major Sunni Muslim powers, there was no immediate clarity on each state’s commitments. Turkish Foreign minister Hakan Fidan said in January Ankara favours a broader regional security platform to promote cooperation and stability.
# Rugby: Former Springbok player and coach Nick Mallett believes the Stormers can rattle the All Blacks in tonight’s tour opener in Cape Town. He says the hosts’ pack could trouble the visitors, and exciting halfbacks Yaqeen Ahmed and Imad Khan will embrace the opportunity to show what they could do. Mallett doesn’t believe the Stormers’ limited preparation time will be detrimental, as long as they have the right attitude, enthusiasm and the fact it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a lot of the players.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-25-cents and the euro at 18-rand-72-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-84-cents and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-66-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-324-dollars-84-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 85-dollars-5-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….