News 16:00

BULLETIN 5 August 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Four suspects are killed in a shootout with police in Randfontein, Gauteng
# Soviet Lekganyane is to lead a parliamentary probe into the allegations of infiltration in the criminal justice system
# And rugby: A Wallaby hooker retires shortly after returning from a two-year absence

# Four suspects have been shot and killed during a gun battle with police in Randfontein, west of Johannesburg. Acting Gauteng police commissioner Fred Kekana says the group was allegedly on there way to commit a business robbery when police received an intelligence tip-off. Kekana confirmed they wanted to rob a business owner who was en route to deposit a large sum of money. He says investigations are still ongoing:

Meanwhile, ANC member Soviet Lekganyane has been chosen to lead the parliamentary ad hoc committee investigating claims of police corruption and political interference. The committee was set up after KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged that criminal syndicates have infiltrated law enforcement. EFF leader Julius Malema was nominated as chairperson but declined. Lekganyane says the committee must report its findings by the end of October:

# Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has appealed to March and March not to block foreign children from the measles-rubella vaccination drive. The citizen-led movement tackles the impact of illegal immigration. Speaking at the Steve Biko Primary School in Orange Farm, the MEC emphasised to Newzroom Afrika the campaign’s aim to protect all children from illness. She says the department’s corner to corner approach will reach children also at home, reducing tensions around access to healthcare for foreign nationals:

# Rugby: Wallabies hooker Dave Porecki has unexpectedly announced his retirement, just weeks after his return to the Test side after an injury-induced absence of two years. He played for Australia against Fiji last month, when he suffered concussion, played in the second Test against the British and Irish Lions, and missed the final Test with a cut heel. Porecki captained Australia in three pool matches in the 2023 World Cup. The 32-year-old says now is the right time to start a new chapter in his life.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-1-cent and the euro at 20-rand-80-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-93-cents and Bitcoin trades at 114-thousand-385-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-356-dollars-85-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-86-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Communities living near Kruger National Park say they prefer wildlife-friendly ways to earn a living, rather than killing animals for profit. According to an article in The Conversation, researchers found over 80-percent of residents surveyed, backed alternatives like craft tourism, online wildlife guiding, and conservation jobs. The findings come amid growing global pressure to ban trophy hunting. Locals say ethical, sustainable jobs could reduce poverty and protect animals, offering a new path for conservation and economic growth.

Stay tuned for more news………….