News 18:00

BULLETIN 4 September 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Department of Defence seeks a postponement of the BRICS Naval exercise amid G20 presidency commitments
# A forum commends police commissioner Masemola for standing firm against the pressure
# And soccer: The Department of Sport commits 82-million-rand to a VAR system for South Africa

# The Department of Defence says it’s in talks to postpone the joint BRICS Naval exercise, originally scheduled for November. The exercise, held every two years between South Africa, Russia and China, is now expected to take place on a later mutually suitable date. The department’s Siphiwe Dlamini says the postponement is necessary to avoid disruptions to logistical, security, and other arrangements linked to South Africa’s G20 presidency.

# The Activists and Citizens Forum commended national police commissioner Fannie Masemola for standing firm against political pressure over 121 dockets from the KwaZulu-Natal political killings task team. The forum praised Masemola for continuing investigations without fear or favour, despite pressure from president Cyril Ramaphosa and acting Police minister Firoz Cachalia. The forum’s spokesperson, Dennis Bloem, urged Masemola to keep upholding the police’s constitutional mandate:

# ActionSA has called on Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero to suspend mayoral committee member for Corporate Governance and Shared Services, Sithembiso Zungu. This follows the Hawks’ revelations that he benefited from City Dev, linked to a Lehae housing project. Zungu allegedly collected funds disguised as protection fees, with evidence of suspicious bank transactions. ActionSA’s Johannesburg caucus leader, Marcel Coutriers, insists he steps aside pending the investigation:

# The Development Bank of Southern Africa has reported a record net profit of 5.3-billion-rand for the year ended March, up 14.4-percent, supported by higher net interest income and fair value gains. CEO Boitumelo Mosako says sustainable earnings grew 13.7-percent to 5.1-billion-rand, while loan book repayments hit a record 27.4-billion-rand. Mosako stressed the bank’s stronger position allows it to expand project preparation and support municipalities, while maintaining financial sustainability and development outcomes.

# Soccer: The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has announced major progress in implementing Video Assistant Referee technology in South African soccer and pledged 82-million-rand of its current budget to make it a reality. Working with the South African Football Association and the Premier Soccer League, milestones include issuing a Request for Proposals and aligning with FIFA standards. Government says the funds cover technology, training, and stadium readiness. Minister Gayton McKenzie has urged urgent rollout within this financial year to boost fairness, integrity, and international standing.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-79-cents and the euro at 20-rand-71-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-89-cents and Bitcoin trades at 109-thousand-950-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-542-dollars-17-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-70-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….