News 16:00

BULLETIN 4 December 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Human Rights Commission finds police used unlawful force at the Walter Sisulu University protest
# An education activist wants clarity on a NSFAS bursary to a 70-year-old student
# And cricket: Root and Starc shine on the first day of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba

# The Human Rights Commission has found that police acted unlawfully during last year’s student protest at the Walter Sisulu University in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. This follows the death of student Sisonke Mbolekwa while residence manager Manelisi Mampane faces murder and attempted murder charges. The report outlined the police’s actions, and recommendations to improve accountability and protest management. Commissioner Tshepo Madlingozi noted that the isolated unlawful acts by students did not remove constitutional protection:

# Education activist, Hendrick Makaneta, is calling on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme to provide clarity on how it balances the principles of lifelong learning with the urgent socio-economic need to support the youth. The scheme has been criticised for awarding a bursary to a 70-year-old student. A total of 612 people who applied for financial aid from NSFAS for next year were 50 years and older. Makaneta says the country owes young school leavers all the funding opportunities available:    

# Muslim and Christian organisations have urged Parliament to protect religious rights in the proposed Marriage Bill. Appearing before the portfolio committee on Home Affairs through virtual submissions, the South African Council of Churches, and the Islamic Forum, amongst others, said clauses preventing Home Affairs marriage officiants from refusing to conduct certain marriages, violate religious freedom. Advocacy groups, including the Women Legal Centre, also raised concerns, calling for recognition of domestic partnerships. Committee chairperson Mosa Chabane said all submissions will guide final deliberations.

Moving abroad:

# Hong Kong authorities rushed to remove mesh netting on all buildings undergoing renovation across the Chinese territory after the material was blamed for fanning last week’s fire at the Wang Fuk Court complex that has killed at least 159 people. The government ordered the immediate removal of scaffolding nets on all public and private residential buildings by Saturday, to protect public safety and put residents at ease. Police have arrested a total of 21 people in their probe into the fire.

# Cricket: English batter Joe Root finally got his elusive Ashes Test century on the first day of the second Test against Australia in Brisbane. Ben Stokes won the toss at the Gabba and elected to bat, and two wickets fell quickly before Root and Zak Crawley built a 117-run third-wicket partnership. Root and Joffra Archer later combined for an undefeated tenth-wicket partnership of 61. At stumps, England reached 325 for nine, with Root on 135 and Archer on 32. Mitchell Starc took six wickets.  

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-96-cents and the euro at 19-rand-80-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-65-cents and Bitcoin trades at 92-thousand-965-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-198-dollars-83-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-85-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….