News 13:00

BULLETIN 11 October 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Jacob Zuma Foundation slams the media for coverage of his health
# Police warn against violence fuelled by anti-foreign sentiment in South Africa
# And: A new Eastern Cape national park is to protect biodiversity and water security

# The spokesperson for the Jacob Zuma Foundation, Mzwanele Manyi, has criticised the intense media coverage of the former president’s hospitalisation. In a post on X, Manyi questioned the attention given to Zuma compared with Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s reported illness. Manyi accused the media of fuelling speculation and public anxiety. He called for Zuma’s privacy and dignity to be respected while he recovers. President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that Zuma is receiving medical treatment, but has not disclosed details of his condition.

# Acting National Police Commissioner Puleng Dimpane has warned that anti-foreign sentiment must never be used to justify violence, looting, arson or intimidation. She says the Constitution protects peaceful protests and the right to express grievances, but these freedoms cannot be used to justify criminal acts or disrupt lawful activities. Dimpane says police will continue to facilitate peaceful demonstrations while taking firm and impartial action against criminality:

Meanwhile, Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has welcomed the withdrawal of the Department of Home Affairs’ directives following the Constitutional Court judgment on asylum seekers. The committee has also resolved to convene an urgent, in-person meeting to examine how the judgment will be implemented, particularly in relation to asylum applications. The committee has directed the department’s Director-General to assess the situation and present a comprehensive operational plan outlining how the judgment will be implemented. The meeting is expected to bring together the Ministers of Home Affairs and Employment and Labour, the Border Management Authority and the Refugee Appeals Authority of South Africa.

# Hurricane Isaias has killed at least four people after striking Florida’s Gulf Coast in the United States. Reuters reports that about 670-thousand customers across four states were without electricity after the storm made landfall. Isaias has since weakened to a post-tropical cyclone, but dangerous conditions remain. Forecasters have warned of flash flooding, damaging winds and possible tornadoes across parts of the south-eastern United States. Emergency crews are assessing damage and working to restore power, while some roads, bridges and airports are reopening.

# Tennis: Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz has reached the third round of the Shanghai Masters after beating Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-3, 6-3 yesterday. The second seed needed just 66 minutes to win his opening match, having received a bye in the first round. Alcaraz, who defended his Japan Open title in Tokyo earlier this week, said he was pleased with his performance despite having only two days to prepare for the different playing conditions. He will face Belgium’s Zizou Bergs in the third round.

# And finally: Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment minister David Maynier has declared a new national park in the Eastern Cape to protect grasslands, biodiversity and important water sources. The Grasslands National Park covers more than ten-thousand hectares between Nqanqarhu and Rhodes. South African National Parks will manage the park, where landowners can continue conservation-friendly farming activities. Maynier says this is the first national park established mainly through partnerships with landowners:

Stay tuned for more news………….