News 16:00

BULLETIN 9 September 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ten MK Party members lose their court bid over their removal as MPs
# The ANC plans to secure a majority in the upcoming elections
# And, cricket: White-ball coach Walter wants to build depth in the Proteas squads in the series against Afghanistan and Ireland

# Ten members of the MK Party have lost their court bid to reverse their removal as Members of Parliament. The group, dismissed by the Jacob Zuma-led party, sought to reinstate their parliamentary positions and prevent their replacements from being sworn in. They also requested that they remain MK MPs until their memberships are lawfully terminated. The party argued the dismissals followed a discovery that the members were incorrectly listed as MP candidates in May’s general elections.

# The ANC is working to consolidate reports from various local government structures to address challenges and strategise for the upcoming elections. The party’s National Working Committee is engaging with grassroot members at the Birchwood Hotel in Ekurhuleni, to understand the issues on the ground and strengthen its election strategy.  ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula told the media the goal is to retain a majority by tackling key concerns and improving coordination with local structures: 

# The United Nation’s human rights chief has warned the world needs to change paths to avoid a future filled with military escalation, repression, disinformation, deepening inequality and rampant climate change. Opening a session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Volker Turk stressed that the world is at a fork in the road. He says the world can either continue on the current path and sleepwalk into a dystopian future, or wake up and turn things around for the better, for humanity and the planet.

# Cricket: Proteas white-ball coach Rob Walter announced his squads for one-day internationals against Afghanistan and a white-ball tour against Ireland, all taking place in the United Arab Emirates. Temba Bavuma will be captain in the ODIs and Aiden Markram will lead in the T20s. The first ODI against Afghanistan will take place in Sharjah on the 18th of this month and the series against Ireland starts on the 27th. Walter says he is building depth in the squads:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-76-cents and the euro at 19-rand-89-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-42-cents and Bitcoin trades at 55-thousand-190-dollars-89-cent. Gold sells at two-thousand-499-dollars-55-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 71-dollars-72-cents a barrel.

# And, South Africa’s healthcare divide persists with 85-percent of the population relying on a strained public system while 15-percent have private medical aid. At the Hospital Association of South Africa’s conference, experts agreed on the fact that a complete overhaul is needed, including mandatory medical scheme membership for formal employees and stronger public-private partnerships. Challenges like inadequate kidney care and failed cancer treatment partnerships were also highlighted. Delegates suggested urgent and coordinated efforts for improving healthcare access and equity.

Stay tuned for more news………….