News 15:00

BULLETIN NEWS AGENCY 16 August 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Institute of Race Relations wants the Commission of Employment Equity to account for its racial classification rules 
# The NPA chief welcomes the Justice minister’s support for access to important data
# And, rugby: The Pumas and Bulls kick off the weekend’s Currie Cup action in Mbombela

# The Institute of Race Relations has written to the Commission of Employment Equity to find out why it still uses apartheid-era racial classification. South Africa’s post-apartheid government, through various acts such as the Employment Equity Act, and institutions such as the commission, still requires people to be registered according to the four racial categories. The institute’s Makone Maja says the commission should condemn racial classification:

# National Public Prosecutions director Shamila Batohi has welcomed Justice minister Thembi Nkadimeng’s commitment to prioritise proclamations for access to critical information. This comes as Parliament prepares to address conflicting reports on the NPA’s access to the Zondo Commission’s database. Batohi emphasizes the importance of accessing this information for ongoing investigations, and frustrations over delays in obtaining evidence:

# The anti-immigrant group Operation Dudula has threatened to continue its operations to close more foreign-owned shops. A 21-year-old man is in hospital after being shot twice during an altercation with a spaza shop owner in White City, Soweto, sparking fears of renewed xenophobic violence. A suspect has been arrested and charged with attempted murder. Operation Dudula’s Zandile Dabula says Lusanda Ngcobo’s shooting was the last straw for many residents, who are angry following recent reports of expired food sold at foreign-owned spaza shops.

# The Southern African private sector inbound tourism association, Satsa, has assured tourists that the risk from Mpox in the region remains low. This comes as the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention officially declared the ongoing Mpox outbreak a public health emergency of continental security. Satsa’s CEO, David Frost, emphasises that Southern Africa remains a safe and desirable destination. He has called for accurate media reporting to avoid unnecessary fear and stigmatisation of the entire continent.

# Rugby: The Pumas host the Bulls in Mbombela in the first of the weekend’s Currie Cup Premier Division clashes this afternoon. Tomorrow the Lions will welcome Western Province to Ellis Park, while the Cheetahs and the Sharks will do battle in Bloemfontein. On Sunday, Griffons and Griquas clash in Welkom. The Bulls are currently on top of the table, followed by the Lions, the Cheetahs and the Pumas. The Sharks are in fifth position, Province in sixth, Griquas in seventh and the Griffons in eighth.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-90-cents and the euro at 19-rand-67-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-10-cents and Bitcoin trades at 58-thousand-376-dollars-75-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-469-dollars-45-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-22-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….