News 15:00

BULLETIN 30 September 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa vows justice for the victims of the Lusikisiki mass shooting
# Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says government is going to embody renewable energy
# And motorsport: Lewis Hamilton says things are allright with the team after criticising the Singapore GP’s strategy

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says justice will be served following Friday’s mass shooting in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape which claimed the lives of 18 people, mostly women. The victims were preparing to attend a tombstone unveiling for two relatives murdered last year. Ramaphosa extended his condolences to the victims’ families, and gave the assurance police have deployed specialist detectives and forensic experts to investigate. He urges the community to assist police in ensuring the perpetrators are brought to justice.

# Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says government is going to embody renewable energy as the country invests in this type of energy. He delivered the keynote address at the ministerial renewable energy seminar in Midrand, Gauteng, today and detailed a comprehensive review of the independent power producers procurement process. Ramokgopa says the seminar aims to build on the significant achievements and successes of the programme:

# The Activists and Citizens Forum says the Judicial Service Commission must never be politicised. Spokesperson Dennis Bloem says politics has no place in the judiciary and the judiciary must at all times be independent. He believes it is very urgent that Parliament must review the law that allows Members of Parliament to sit on the JSC. He says the unfortunate saga of John Hlophe could have been avoided if there was no such law:

# Motorsport: Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton said things are allright between him and the Mercedes team, days after criticising their strategy during last weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, in which he finished sixth. The 39-year-old qualified in third place on the grid, but was left frustrated after his team asked him to start with soft tyres, while he wanted to use medium instead. Technical director James Allison later acknowledged the mistake. Hamilton said on social media things are cool with the team and they will always support each other.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-17-cents and the euro at 19-rand-22-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-3-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-640-dollars-33-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-639-dollars-2-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 71-dollars-32-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The South African Mountain Accidents Database has revealed that over four-thousand-272 incidents have occurred in the Western Cape mountains since 1980. In 2024 alone, there have been 172 incidents including deaths, injuries, exhaustion, and equipment failure. The mountain ranges include Lion’s Head, Groot Drakenstein and Du Toits. Recently, a 20-year-old American student died while hiking along Devil’s Peak in Cape Town. Wilderness Search and Rescue expert Anwaaz Bent has urged people to use the free @SafetyMountain Tracking system, which tracks hikers and cyclists via WhatsApp.

Stay tuned for more news………….