News 17:00

BULLETIN 8 July 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Damage assessment starts as a new cold front approaches
# The North West Community Safety Department suggests the permanent closure of all disused mines
# And, rugby: Rassie Erasmus warns that Ireland will come out firing in Durban

# Damage assessment is underway following intense cold fronts in the Western Cape. The Provincial Disaster Management Centre reports disruptions including shelter loss, flooding, and power outages. Cape Town, Overberg, and Cape Winelands were hardest hit. MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, emphasises safety and humanitarian aid, with a new cold front expected tomorrow. In addition, Eskom has addressed power outages, and search and rescue operations continue for isolated communities.

# The North West Department of Community Safety plans to engage with the Department of Mineral Resources to permanently close all disused mine shafts, aiming to curb illegal mining. This follows the death of four SANDF members at Shaft 3 in Orkney, where they were deployed as part of Operation Vala Umgodi. Carbon monoxide poisoning is being investigated as possible cause. MEC Wessels Morweng emphasised the urgency of permanently closing the shafts to prevent further incidents and illegal activities.

# The Commission for Gender Equality will investigate elder abuse after a video surfaced showing a teenager assaulting his 82-year-old grandmother. Luvo Ngqaza appeared in Kuils River Magistrate’s Court in Cape Town on charges of assault and violating the Older Persons Act. His defense sought hospital remand due to suicidal state. Commissioner Nthabiseng Sepanya-Mogale condemned the attack, urging for severe punishment. She told eNCA communities are responsible to report such cases:

# The leader of a Kenyan doomsday cult went on trial today on charges of terrorism over the deaths of more than 400 of his followers in a macabre case that shocked the world. Self-proclaimed pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie appeared in court in Mombasa along with 94 co-accused. Journalists were removed from the courtroom shortly after the start of the hearing to enable a protected witness to take the stand. Mackenzie is alleged to have incited his acolytes to starve to death in order to meet Jesus.

# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus expressed relief at getting past Ireland for the first time in his coaching reign. After three losses to the Irish, the Boks delivered a satisfying 27-20 victory at Loftus Versfeld. The two sides will meet again in Durban on Saturday, where Ireland will try to draw the series, while South Africa will be fighting for a clean sweep. Erasmus warns the visitors will come out firing at Kings Park:

# And, the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-10-cents and the euro at 19-rand-63-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-25-cents and Bitcoin trades at 57-thousand-349-dollars-54-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-375-dollars-10-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 85-dollars-96-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….