News 18:00

BULLETIN 15 September 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Parole Board grants approval consideration on Donovan Moodley’s parole bid
# There are only 300 seats for the public as a high-profile judicial inquiry begins in Pretoria
# And athletics: Mondo Duplantis improves the pole vault world record to an astonishing 6.30-metres

# The Parole Board has approved murderer Donovan Moodley’s release on parole, though the final decision rests with Correctional Services minister Pieter Groenewald. The National Council for Correctional Services will now review the decision. Moodley, convicted in 2005 for the kidnapping and murder of university student Leigh Matthews, has been eligible for parole since 2018. His earlier bids were marked by legal battles and controversy. The Matthews family and the public remain opposed, citing his lack of remorse.

# The Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry says only 300 seats will be available for the first public hearing at Bridgette Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria. The public hearing into criminality, political interference, and corruption in the criminal justice system is set for Wednesday at 10 am, with the following sessions starting at 9:30 am. The commission’s spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, urged attendees to arrive early due to strict access control:

# The National Consumer Commission has announced recalls for Ford Ranger Wildtrak, Tremor, and Platinum 2025–2026 vehicles, citing a brake boost defect that could increase accident risks. Over five-thousand-600 units are affected, with repairs offered free at Ford dealerships. Meanwhile, more than 124-thousand Mitchum roll-on deodorants have been recalled after a manufacturing change caused skin reactions in sensitive users. Consumers are urged to stop use immediately, return products for refunds, and contact suppliers for assistance.

# A new NSFAS war room has been established to resolve disputes and ensure stability in next year’s academic year. Higher Education and Training minister Buti Manamela told the media the war room brings together university, TVET, and community college leaders, student representatives, and quality councils to resolve disputes quickly and prevent disruptions. Manamela says the war room will act as an early warning system to spot and address potential disruptions before they escalate:

# Athletics: Swedish-American pole-vaulter Mondo Duplantis bettered his own world record for the 14th time when he reached an astonishing 6.30 metres at the world championships in Tokyo, Japan. The 25-year-old already clinched gold when young Greek athlete Emmanouil Karalis bowed out at six-metres, and the raucous crowd helped Duplantis to cross the bar with his third attempt to better the 6.29-metres he set just a few weeks ago. Australia’s Kurtis Marschall took bronze in 5.95-metres.  

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-35-cents and the euro at 20-rand-41-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-59-cents and Bitcoin trades at 114-thousand-882-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-660-dollars-94-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-33-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….