News 16:00

BULLETIN 12 September 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Trump says a suspect was arrested after the murder of Charlie Kirk
# Ramaphosa pushes for stronger cooperative governance
# And rugby: Mzwandile Stick says the Boks realise they have to be their best for 80 minutes tomorrow

# US president Donald Trump says a suspect in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk is likely in custody. The conservative activist was assassinated at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. Trump told Fox News someone close to the suspect reported him, and his father convinced him to surrender to police. Kirk was shot in the neck during a debate in what authorities describe as a targeted attack from a rooftop. Trump blames members of the radical left for the killing, but urges his supporters to remain non-violent.

Back home:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says national and provincial service delivery discussions aim to strengthen cooperative governance as required by the Constitution. Speaking in Rustenburg, North West, he stressed the need to build an ethical, capable, developmental state. Ramaphosa highlighted the District Development Model as key to ending fragmented governance and funding constraints. He emphasised that these challenges cause failed projects, cost overruns, and deepened community mistrust in government:

Meanwhile, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs minister Velenkosini Hlabisa says Ramaphosa’s service delivery provincial gatherings are vital for aligning national, provincial, and local leaders. Hlabisa stressed the importance of the District Development Model in improving collaboration. He acknowledged ongoing challenges in municipalities, including instability, urging government to recommit to putting people first:

# The City of Tshwane says high water consumption is putting the city at risk of running out of water, even before summer. Levels in 16 major reservoirs are dropping as demand exceeds limits, with the city currently pumping 22-percent more water than permitted. Prolonged water interruptions could follow if usage doesn’t decrease. The city’s Selby Bokaba urged residents to save water to protect the supply:

# Rugby: Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick says they realise they have to be their best for the full 80 minutes of tomorrow’s Rugby Championship match against the All Blacks in Wellington. Much is at stake for South Africa: victory will see them retain the Freedom Cup they won last year for the first time since 2009, keep them in the race to defend their title, and see them reclaim the number-one world ranking. Stick says they had learned many lessons from last week’s defeat in Auckland.  

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-38-cents and the euro at 20-rand-37-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-54-cents and Bitcoin trades at 114-thousand-914-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-642-dollars-98-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-43-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….