News 17:00

BULLETIN 9 March 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Testimony of Julius Mkhwanazi at Madlanga Commission postponed
# The think tank, Lex Libertas to display three-thousand white crosses at Washington’s National Mall
# And, CATA suspends taxi operations in Nyanga amid ongoing violence

# The Madlanga Commission has postponed the second testimony of suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department acting deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi to 23 March. His new lawyer, Nkosana Khumalo, told the commission he needs time to review documents and prepare as he only met Mkhwanazi yesterday. Khumalo also said Mkhwanazi is also scheduled for eye surgery and requires two-weeks recovery time before returning to give further evidence:

# Advocacy group Lex Libertas is set to host a public vigil on the National Mall in Washington, DC, displaying three-thousand white crosses to commemorate victims of farm attacks in South Africa. The event aims to raise international awareness of violence and racial discrimination. The group’s Ernst Roets calls on the US to appoint a special envoy to engage with cultural minorities in South Africa and promote peaceful self-governance:

# The Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association has suspended taxi operations in Nyanga, in Cape Town, today following ongoing violence in the area. The move comes after nine minibus taxis were burned at the Nyanga taxi rank last week. Drivers and owners marched to the Nyanga police station to demand progress on unsolved shootings, increased security at the rank, and the installation of surveillance cameras. According to the association, the violence is linked to disputed taxi routes and criminal acts targeting the taxi industry.

# Cricket: East London in the Eastern Cape should be ready to host one-day World Cup matches next year, but Kimberley in the Northern Cape is not up to scratch yet. Both their unions are currently under administration. Border’s administrator, Greg Fredericks, says December’s ODI between the Proteas and Bangladesh should give a fair indication over Buffalo Park’s readiness. Northern Cape administrator Jesse Chellan still needs to meet with the provincial government over the quality of the Kimberley Oval. South Africa co-hosts the tournament with Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile Sports, Arts and Culture minister Gayton McKenzie has condemned a brawl during a National Executive Committee meeting of South African Football Association. The clash followed a motion to suspend four NEC members including Gladwin White, Monde Montshiwa, Bhuda Mathate, and Lebogang Riet, for allegedly breaching communication policies, ahead of leadership elections. McKenzie says the shameful display disregards the hard work of bringing corporate sponsorship into SAFA. He confirmed intentions to inform the Confederation of African Football and FIFA about actions to investigate.

# And, the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-65-cents against the rand and the euro at 19-rand-26-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-26-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-279-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-90-dollars-41-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 99-dollars-32-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….