News 17:00

BULLETIN 21 August 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# BOSA unveils its plan for prosperity to revive the economy and tackle crime and corruption
# Cricket South Africa emphasises integrity and safety ahead of the 2027 World Cup
# And minister Steenhuisen orders a stay of execution for the rescued guide dog Achi

# Build One South Africa has unveiled its Plan for Prosperity aimed at reviving the economy, tackling crime and corruption, and improving public services ahead of next year’s local government elections. The plan focuses on creating jobs, attracting investment, and strengthening education and healthcare. Party leader Mmusi Maimane told the media talks on possible party consolidation ahead of the elections are ongoing, with details expected in the coming weeks:

# AfriForum has criticised the government for denying the racial and political motivations behind farm attacks, following a report by the US Department of State. The organisation says the Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s claims that these attacks are part of general crime ignore decades of evidence. AfriForum’s Jacques Broodryk warns that until farm attacks are treated as priority crimes, rural communities will remain under threat:

# Iran publicly hanged a convicted murderer at the scene of his crime. Most executions in Iran are carried out inside prisons, and public executions are generally reserved for offences that caused particular outrage. The condemned man had been convicted of killing a couple and a young woman with a hunting rifle in the city of Kordkuy late last year. On Tuesday, a man was also publicly hanged in the southern province of Fars after being convicted of murdering a woman and her three children during a robbery.

On to sports news:

# Cricket South Africa’s board chairperson, Pearl Maphoshe, says hosting the 2027 World Cup together with Namibia and Zimbabwe comes with responsibility following CSA and the International Cricket Council’s governance standards. She highlights that the local organising committee is built on integrity, transparency, and accountability. Maphoshe stresses that every rand spent must benefit the sport and the nation, and says government and security agencies are working together to ensure a safe, world-class, and festive tournament:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-68-cents and the euro at 20-rand-59-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-79-cents and Bitcoin trades at 113-thousand-306-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-344-dollars-66-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-55-cents a barrel. 

# And finally: Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen has intervened to prevent the euthanasia of a Labrador guide dog rescued from a yacht, Achi. Initial procedures raised fears that Achi would be put to sleep due to import regulations, sparking strong public concern. However, he was granted a reprieve following Steenhuisen’s direct involvement. Achi was rescued with his owners – a Swiss man and his adult German daughter – when their yacht experienced mechanical failure during rough seas. Achi served as a guide dog before the incident. The decision has allowed him to remain with his owner.

Stay tuned for more news………….