News 15:00

BULLETIN 6 July 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Evidence leader Adila Hassim flags threats to journalists by Crime Intelligence
# The African Refugee and Migrants Aid urges the protection of migrants
# And rugby: Sweeping changes to the Bok team for the clash against Scotland

# The Madlanga commission has heard a warning about the dangers faced by journalists investigating alleged corruption within police’s Crime Intelligence. Evidence leader Adila Hassim highlighted the break-in at Daily Maverick investigative journalist Marianne Thamm’s home after reports on police corruption. Senior Crime Intelligence officer Feroz Khan has been implicated through WhatsApp messages allegedly monitoring her work. Hassim has stressed that intelligence resources must never be used to intimidate journalists:

Meanwhile, ActionSA has paid tribute to KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, marking one-year since his high-profile news conference in Durban, exposing alleged corruption within the Police Service. The party’s spokesperson, Omogolo Taunyane, says his whistleblowing led to the establishment of the Madlanga commission which has led to several officials being held to account. She emphasises ActionSA’s appreciation of Mkhwanazi’s courage, integrity and commitment to clean governance, and accountable criminal justice institutions:

# Non-governmental organisation, African Refugee and Migrants Aid says South Africa has failed to protect refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, putting African lives at risk. The organisation’s director, Malipo Mbalanga, stressed recent protests led to deaths, attacks on communities and children, and widespread fear among foreign nationals. Mbalanga argues migration is a long-standing continental issue and calls for protection under international law, saying police and authorities failed to act. He welcomed efforts of many countries assisting in repatriation efforts.

# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus made sweeping changes to the squad that humiliated England 45-21 on Saturday, keeping only five members of the starting team for this coming weekend’s Nations Championship clash with Scotland at Loftus. They are Jesse Kriel, Damian Willemse, Paul de Villiers, Ruan Nortjé and Pieter-Steph du Toit, who will retain the captaincy after Siya Kolisi’s late withdrawal from the Ellis Park match. Handré Pollard and Embrose Papier will form the half-back pairing, and Boan Venter, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw will anchor the scrum.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-22-cents and the euro at 18-rand-51-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-63-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-751-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-157-dollars-30-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-6-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and the South African Medical Research Council have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen collaboration between environmental and health experts. The two institutions will collaborate on research, policy development, health impact assessments, data sharing, air quality monitoring, and public awareness initiatives. The council’s president and CEO, Ntobeko Ntusi, says the shared goal is to ensure research translates into policies and actions that protect lives, reduce health inequalities, and improve quality of life for all citizens.

Stay tuned for more news………….