News 06:00

BULLETIN 16 October 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Electoral Commission starts amending and reprinting the ballot papers
# AgriSA sets a new mandate to turn agricultural policy into action
# And, Donald Trump scraps the livestream of the Fort Hood shooter’s execution

# The Electoral Commission says it will now start the process of amending and reprinting the ballot papers where necessary to include 181 ANC candidates in six municipalities. This follows the Constitutional Court’s ruling in favour of the ANC in a dispute over candidates excluded from next month’s local government elections. Earlier this week, the commission revealed that 66-percent of ballot papers had already been printed. IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya acknowledged that they have limited time to implement the judgment:

Meanwhile, the independent elections analyst Michael Atkins says election rules must be clearer following the Constitutional Court’s ruling. Atkins says the ruling highlights the need for clearer regulations to prevent similar disputes in future elections:

# AgriSA says stronger partnerships, accountability and effective implementation are needed to grow the agricultural sector. This follows its 2026 congress, where it set five priorities: land reform, natural resources, labour, rural safety, and economics and trade. The organisation’s president, Willem de Chavonnes Vrugt, says land reform must help farmers build successful businesses, while water infrastructure, rural roads, rail and ports also need attention. He added that focus must now be on turning plans into action.

# Two ANC councillors were shot and killed while doing door-to-door campaigning in Umgababa, along the south coast of Durban. Three other people were wounded and are currently in hospital. KwaZulu-Natal Police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda says preliminary reports indicate that two women and a man, along with their bodyguards, were campaigning when a white Isuzu bakkie approached them. The occupants of the bakkie opened fire on the five. eThekwini Council speaker Thabani Nyawose says they are shocked by this tragedy:

# US President Donald Trump has abandoned plans to livestream the execution of the man who killed 13 people at Fort Hood military base in Texas in 2009.  Nidal Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist, is scheduled to be executed by firing squad on 3 December. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had announced that the public would be able to watch the execution online, prompting widespread criticism.  Trump says the execution will go ahead as planned but will not be streamed. Immediate family members of the victims will be allowed to witness it in person.

# Rugby: Junior Springbok star Luan Giliomee will start his Bulls’ career in the number 15 jersey in tomorrow’s Champions Cup match against Stade Francais at Loftus. He replaces Bok veteran Willie le Roux, who drops to the bench. Twenty-year-old Giliomee recently relocated to Pretoria after finishing his stint at the Sharks. He forms the back triangle together with wingers Cheswill Jooste and Sebastian de Klerk. Head coach Johan Ackermann made ten changes to the squad from last week’s United Rugby Championship victory over the Lions.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-49-cents and the euro at 18-rand-50-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-90-cents and Bitcoin trades at 82-thousand-374-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-166-dollars-86-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 107-dollars-62-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….