News 08:00

BULLETIN 10 October 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Three Gupta-linked companies are convicted of fraud
# Donald Trump lashes out after another Nobel Peace Prize snub
# And cricket, Australia will resume play this morning at Kingsmead on 187 for six

# The National Director of Public Prosecutions, Andy Mothibi, and the acting head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, Ntuthuzelo Vanara, have welcomed the conviction of two company directors and three Gupta-linked mining companies for fraud and money laundering involving 107.5-million-rand. The Johannesburg High Court found Ronica Ragavan, Pushpaveni Govender, Optimum Coal Mine, Koornfontein Mines and Tegeta Exploration and Resources guilty of misusing funds meant to rehabilitate two Mpumalanga coal mines. IDAC spokesperson Henry Mamothame says the money was unlawfully diverted to pay mining contractors and other third parties:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says a Chinese car manufacturer planning to invest in the Free State must eventually manufacture vehicles and components locally. Speaking at the launch of the provincial catalytic investment and industrialisation project, Ramaphosa said the planned investment could create about six-thousand jobs through the assembly of imported parts. He added the company must go further by using locally mined minerals to manufacture vehicle components:

# TLU SA is calling for improvements to rural roads, rail transport and logistics to reduce pressure on South African farmers. The agricultural organisation says poor infrastructure and transport inefficiencies are adding to production costs at a time when farmers are already facing sharp fuel price increases ahead of the summer planting season. TLU SA’s Bennie van Zyl says addressing these domestic challenges could help lower costs and support the long-term sustainability of food production:

# South Africa has a new Nobel Peace Prize winner, and she could hardly believe the news herself. Eighty-five-year-old human rights lawyer Navi Pillay reportedly reacted by saying, “I hope this is not a joke,” when she learnt she had won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. Born in Durban during apartheid, Pillay went on to defend Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid activists. She later served as a judge at international courts and as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Nobel Committee honoured her lifelong efforts to promote peace and international law.

Meanwhile, president Donald Trump lashed out after Pillay won the prize instead of him. Pillay joked yesterday that she might share the award with Trump if her audience applauded louder. Trump subsequently shared a hostile social media post accusing her of being anti-American and anti-Israel. He later attacked the Norwegian Nobel Committee, calling its decision disgraceful and an “indelible stain” on Norway. Trump has repeatedly argued that his diplomatic efforts deserve the prestigious award.

# And cricket: South Africa had Australia six down before bad light brought an early end to the opening day of the first Test at Kingsmead. The visitors, who elected to bat, slumped to124 for six before Matt Renshaw and captain Pat Cummins steadied the innings with an unbeaten 63-run partnership. Renshaw was on 46, with Cummins on 33. Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje claimed two wickets each. Australia will resume this morning on 187 for six, with Renshaw and Cummins at the crease.

Stay tuned for more news………….