News 15:00

BULLETIN 20 August 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Weak support structures caused the Ormonde building to collapse
# A tanker driver is rescued while the N3 remains closed near Pietermaritzburg
# And rugby: The All Blacks name a powerhouse squad for the first Test against the Boks

# Investigations into the fatal Ormonde building collapse in Johannesburg have found that beams and columns supporting the affected slabs were not strong enough for additional construction loads. Nine workers died and six were injured when part of the second floor collapsed earlier this year. Public Works and Infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson says investigators raised concerns over construction permits and health and safety appointments:

# National Coloured Congress leader and suspended Member of Parliament Fadiel Adams has conceded retired police Major-General André Lincoln may have misled him about information relating to Crime Intelligence. He told the Madlanga commission he believed Lincoln because of his extensive knowledge of the Police Service and underworld. Confronted with evidence about the dockets by commissioner Sesi Baloyi and chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga, Adams accepted possible misinformation:

# The N3 near Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal remains closed after a diesel tanker crashed and caught fire this morning. The driver has been rescued. The incident happened on the northbound carriageway, with the tanker crossing the median and coming to rest on the southbound side. Fuel was spilled, prompting emergency crews to secure the area. The N3 is closed in the Durban-bound direction before the Peter Brown Drive exit. Traffic authorities have advised motorists to avoid the area and use the diversion at the Cedara interchange in the meantime.

# Asset management company Westbrooke has invested more than 750-million rand in three South African founder-led and family-owned businesses. The investments span an equipment rental company, a family-owned distributor and retailer, and a Western Cape industrial property investment group. Westbrooke says the partnerships will support organic and acquisitive growth while allowing founders and management teams to retain significant ownership and involvement. The company says improving economic prospects and political stability are encouraging businesses to pursue expansion and succession planning.

# Rugby: All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has named a powerhouse squad to face the Springboks at Ellispark on Saturday. Captain Ardie Savea returns with star right-wing Will Jordan and scrumhalf Cam Roigard, all making their first tour appearances. Damian McKenzie also returns from injury to start at fullback. Meanwhile, Anton Segner on left wing, and Josh Moorby as loose-forward are set to face South Africa for the first time in this highly anticipated opening Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-14-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-87-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-1-cents and Bitcoin trades at 71-thousand-868-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-487-dollars-53-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 95-dollars-58-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….