News 11:00

BULLETIN 30 September 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The EFF says government has failed to tackle gender-based violence effectively
# MISA says the unemployment crisis is being worsened by state policies
# And rugby: The Sharks’ defence coach says they are ready to test themselves against Leinster

# The EFF says president Cyril Ramaphosa’s address on government’s response to gender-based violence and femicide was yet another belated intervention from a government that has known the scale of this crisis for years. He outlined a multi-disciplinary national strategy to address the growing scourge. The EFF says it’s concerning that Ramaphosa’s response is centred once again on establishing new mechanisms, conducting further audits and reviewing unresolved cases. It adds what is lacking is sustained implementation, adequate resources and political accountability.

# The Health Department says government is committed to responding to exceptional domestic and geopolitical pricing pressures affecting the pharmaceutical sector. The single exit price of medicines and scheduled substances is set to increase by 2.88-percent from tomorrow, the second adjustment this year. The department’s spokesperson, Foster Mohale, says the increase is intended to provide manufacturers with relief to sustain medicine supply, while maintaining affordability for patients and medical schemes:

# The Motor Industry Staff Association says the unemployment crisis is being worsened by government policies, including the recent increase in the repo rate. The association’s Phakamile Hlubi-Majola argues the rate hike from seven- to 7.25-percent will make borrowing more expensive and could hurt the motor industry by reducing demand for vehicles. Hlubi-Majola calls for greater public investment and job creation to address unemployment:

Moving abroad:

# The United Nations has strongly condemned the military airstrike that killed at least 50 people and wounded nearly 60 at a market in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. Myanmar has been locked in a nationwide civil war since a 2021 coup, with an alliance of armed groups, including the Arakan Army, fighting against the military. UN Human Rights spokesperson Jeremy Laurence says the strike came hours before Malaysia began implementing a plan to deport some five-thousand Myanmar nationals:

# Rugby: Sharks defence coach Joey Mongalo says their clash against defending United Rugby Championship champions Leinster in Durban on Saturday is a great opportunity to test themselves against the best. JP Pietersen’s men opened their campaign with a 41-24 victory over Ospreys, while Leinster lost to the Lions. Mongalo says their review of the Ospreys game identified four soft moments rather than a problem with the defensive system, which they cannot afford against Leinster. He admits their backline faces a tough task against the Irish giants.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-37-cents and the euro at 18-rand-58-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-70-cents and Bitcoin trades at 82-thousand-992-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-194-dollars-47-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 99-dollars-72-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….