News 17:00

BULLETIN 10 July 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA leader calls for a permanent minister of Police to tackle gangsterism and violent crime
# The Madlanga Commission grants protected testimony for Witness O
# And soccer, four people were arrested after police and fans clashed in London after a World Cup quarterfinal match

# DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has called on president Cyril Ramaphosa to urgently appoint a permanent minister of Police. Speaking during an anti-crime march in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape, Hill-Lewis said South Africa needs stronger police leadership and better law enforcement to fight violent crime, gangsterism and extortion. He also criticised the government for continuing to pay Police minister Senzo Mchunu while he remains on special leave:

# The Madlanga Commission has granted an application for Witness O, a Crime Intelligence officer and whistleblower, to testify partially in camera. Evidence leader Mahlape Sello says Witness O’s evidence relates to criminal complaints involving Crime Intelligence head Feroz Khan. This includes alleged handling of investigations, procedural conduct within the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption lead by Andrea Johnson, and alleged interference by former National Prosecuting Authority head Shamila Batohi:

# More than 70 suspects, including seven women, have been arrested during Operation Prosper in Mohlakeng on Gauteng’s West Rand. The multi-disciplinary operation, involving police and the South African National Defence Force, targeted illegal mining and related crimes at Bundu Inn this morning. Officers impounded two vehicles, seized more than 20 generators and confiscated over 100 bags of gold-bearing material. Police spokesperson Tintswalo Sibeko says the operation is continuing and further arrests and recoveries are expected:

# A powerful typhoon is approaching a remote chain of Japanese islands, and authorities warned of winds, rain, landslides and flooding in what could be the region’s most destructive storm in years. Typhoon Bavi ‌is expected to pass very close to the remote Sakishima Islands near Taiwan early tomorrow morning. It is not expected to make landfall in Taiwan, but will dump huge amounts of rain. Bavi is also expected to make landfall around the eastern Chinese city of Wenzhou, ⁠home to 10-million people, over the weekend.

# Soccer: Four people have been arrested and a police official was injured during unrest on Edgware Road in London after last night’s World Cup quarterfinal between France and Morocco in Boston. France won 2-0 to reach their third consecutive semifinal. Videos on social media show fans waving Moroccan flags while clashing with riot officers, launching fireworks and throwing debris. The Metropolitan Police is reviewing CCTV and video footage circulating on social media to ensure all those responsible are brought to justice.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-31-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-63-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-88-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-196-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-104-dollars-80-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-25-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….