News 17:00

BULLETIN 12 October 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The police confirm Shadrack Sibiya’s departure with immediate effect
# The GOOD Party calls for stronger action to protect women and children against gender-based violence
# And: The leader of RISE Mzansi condemns the intimidation of the judiciary over a ruling on asylum

# Suspended deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya is no longer a police officer, effective today. He faced disciplinary proceedings over serious allegations of corruption, abuse of power and links to the criminal underworld, and also faces charges of rape, human trafficking and sexually grooming a minor. Acting national police commissioner Puleng Dimpane says Sibiya’s departure has been classified as a dishonourable discharge because he resigned while facing a disciplinary case:

# The GOOD Party says the state must prioritise prevention, accountability and safe infrastructure to protect women and children against gender-based violence. GOOD Party Secretary-General Brett Herron says men must be at the forefront of the fight against GBV by challenging abusive behaviour and holding one another accountable. Herron says communities also have a responsibility to speak out against abuse, report incidents and support survivors:

# RISE Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi has warned against normalising violent intimidation of the judiciary, saying such actions threaten democracy and the rule of law. Durban and Johannesburg have been in the grip of demonstrations that turned violent, following the Constitutional Court ruling on asylum applications. The court declared sections of the Refugees Act unconstitutional. Zibi says the intimidation of judges and the spread of disinformation that could incite violence are unacceptable:

# Pakistan’s government has detained the chief minister of a province controlled by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s party, following the imposition of emergency rule. Reuters reports Interior minister Talal Chaudhry confirmed Sohail Afridi and some cabinet members were taken into preventive custody yesterday. President Asif Ali Zardari declared the emergency, citing security concerns and alleged failures to tackle militant violence. Khan’s party rejects the move, calling it an attack on democracy. The crackdown comes ahead of planned protests demanding his release.

# Rugby: Springbok winger Courtnall Skosan has called time on his professional career after 16 years. The 35-year-old played twelve Tests for South Africa since his debut in 2017, scoring 10 points. He also represented South Africa under-20 and South Africa-A. Skosan played 84 matches for the Lions between 2014 and 2021, and also had stints at the Bulls, Northampton Saints in England, and the Stormers. He says he rose from in small-town boy in Northpine, Cape Town to live a dream he once could only pray about.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-55-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-50-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-90-cents and Bitcoin trades at 82-thousand-666-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-164-dollars-87-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 109-dollars-26-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….