News 18:00

BULLETIN 7 October 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The MK Party withdraws John Hlophe’s nomination to the Judicial Service Commission with immediate effect
# The JSC quizzes Judge Mahendra Chetty on judicial independence in the ANC-MK Party trademark dispute
# And soccer: French supporters are unhappy with captain Kylian Mbappé for skipping his national duty and playing for Real Madrid

# The MK Party has withdrawn fired judge John Hlophe’s nomination to the Judicial Service Commission with immediate effect. The party claims Hlophe’s name should not be associated with what they deem a misleading and improperly constituted commission. They argue that the JSC violates constitutional requirements by failing to include three members from opposition parties. The party believes the will of the South African people, who elected Hlophe to fulfil his parliamentary duties, has been undermined. 

Meanwhile, a judge of the High Court in Durban, Mahendra Chetty, defended his judicial independence during a tense interview with the commission as he sought a position on the Supreme Court of Appeal. His controversial ruling in favour of the MK Party over the ANC regarding trademark rights was scrutinised. ANC representatives raised concerns about judicial independence, particularly in high-profile cases. Chetty maintained that he bases his judgments solely on facts and law. The interviews are part of a process to fill 21 judicial vacancies. 

# The African Transformation Movement calls for a national joint operation to tackle escalating violence and crime, particularly in the Eastern Cape. This call comes after six members of the community policing forum were shot dead in Godini village in Qumbu  last night. ATM spokesperson Zama Ntshona urges government to increase funding for community policing and implement urgent measures against gangs, extortionists, and illegal immigrants: 

# Police have arrested 12-thousand-187 suspects during Operation Shanela from 30 September to 6 October. Spokesperson Amanda van Wyk says the high-density crime-fighting initiative involved arrests included 157 for murder, 94 for attempted murder, and 242 for rape. SAPS also confiscated 131 firearms and two-thousand-969 rounds of ammunition. Van Wyk says the authorities continue efforts to ensure public safety:

# Soccer: French supporters are unhappy with captain Kylian Mbappé for skipping national duty while being available for his Spanish club, Real Madrid. The forward will miss Thursday’s Nations League game against Israel in Budapest as well as the encounter with Belgium in Brussels next Monday. Coach Didier Deschamps left Mbappé out of the squad, saying he lacks preparation after an injury lay-off, but he started Real’s La Liga match against Villarreal on Saturday. Former French international Maxime Bossis says the situation makes things fuzzy.

# And the financial indicators:  The dollar trades at 17-rand-38-cents and the euro at 19-rand-9-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-73-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-12-dollars-94-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-644-dollars-78-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-29-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….