News 15:00

BULLETIN 16 September 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Johannesburg is set to host landmark hearings on Truth and Reconciliation Commission cases in November
# The DA is flattered by the ANC’s recognition of its performance in government
# And soccer: The Champions League is back

# The judicial commission of inquiry into allegations of interference in Truth and Reconciliation Commission cases will begin oral hearings at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Johannesburg on 10 November. Chaired by former Constitutional Court judge Sisi Khampepe, the commission is calling on all interested parties to submit witness statements, reports, and other evidence by 10 October. The commission’s spokesperson, Lionel Adendorf, says the inquiry aims to uncover past attempts to block TRC investigations or prosecutions.

# The family of murdered Johannesburg student Leigh Matthews has rejected recommendations for the possible parole of her killer. Donovan Moodley was convicted in 2005 for murder, kidnapping and extortion, and remains behind bars 21 years after the crime. Matthews’ father, Rob, told SABC News the process has reopened painful wounds, stressing there has been no full disclosure of the crime or proper assessment of Moodley’s risk to society:

# The Patriotic Alliance has announced its suspended deputy president, Kenny Kunene, as the party’s mayoral candidate for Johannesburg for next year’s local government elections. This comes despite an internal probe into Kunene’s alleged ties to crime figure Katiso “KT” Molefe. Kunene was at Molefe’s Sandton home during his arrest for DJ Sumbody’s murder. Party leader Gayton McKenzie says the investigation is nearing completion. Meanwhile, Liam Jacobs has been reassigned from the Johannesburg council to serve as the PA’s mayoral candidate in Cape Town.

More municipal news: The DA says it’s pleased that president Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged the party’s record of good governance. Speaking at the ANC councillors’ roll call in Johannesburg yesterday, Ramaphosa highlighted Cape Town and Stellenbosch as examples of effective service delivery and urged ANC councillors to learn from DA municipalities. The DA’s Willie Aucamp says the party remains committed to improving the lives of all South Africans:

# Soccer: The Champions League group phase gets underway this evening, with 36 teams battling to become European champions. In the expanded tournament, each side plays eight different teams, four at home and four away, in the group phase. Teams who finish in the top eight automatically qualify for the last 16, while those ninth to 24th will compete in a two-legged knockout play-off. Among today’s matches, 15-time champions Real Madrid will face Marseille, Arsenal takes on Athletic Club, and Juventus will go up against Dortmund.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-35-cents and the euro at 20-rand-49-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-66-cents and Bitcoin trades at 115-thousand-361-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-691-dollars-83-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-46-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….