News 17:00

BULLETIN 5 August 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA tables a bill to block impeached officials from holding public office
# The fourth burnt body of a woman is discovered in Silvertondale, Pretoria
# And 49 worshippers are killed in a church attack in the east of the DRC

# The DA has introduced a Private Members Bill to prevent impeached officials from holding public office. The bill seeks to amend the Constitution to block impeached judges and former heads of Chapter Nine institutions removed for misconduct from becoming members of Parliament, provincial legislatures, or municipal councils. The public has until 31 August to submit comments to the National Assembly. The DA’s Glynnis Breytenbach says allowing such individuals to serve undermines public trust in government institutions.

# Gauteng police have launched a manhunt to trace perpetrators following the discovery of the fourth burnt body of a woman in Silvertondale, Pretoria. Police spokesperson, Brenda Muridili says police were called to a scene near Watloo train station where they discovered the body. She says three burnt bodies were found between Watloo and Denneboom train stations between June and July:

# 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 officials received an intelligence tip-off. Kekana confirmed the suspects wanted to rob a business owner who was en route to deposit a large sum of money. He says investigations are still ongoing:

Moving abroad:

# Open Doors Southern Africa has condemned the brutal attack on a Catholic church in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where at least 49 people, including nine children, were killed. Armed men believed to be linked to the ISIS-backed Allied Democratic Forces group attacked worshippers during a night vigil in Ituri province, using machetes and setting fire to homes and the church. The organisation’s Elizabeth Botha says over 20 children were also kidnapped.

# Soccer: A Chinese team has been banned from Asian competitions for two years for failing to turn up for an important match in February. Super League side Shandong Taishan was earlier also kicked out of the Champions League Elite for withdrawing hours before their match against South Korean team Ulsan. The Asian governing body also fined the club 900-thousand-rand, and it must pay Ulsan compensation for damages and losses. Shandong explained they were unable to field a team due to serious health issues.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-99-cents and the euro at 20-rand-76-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-90-cents and Bitcoin trades at 114-thousand-124-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-369-dollars-56-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-68-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….