News 16:00

BULLETIN 20 October 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ramaphosa raises questions about social media restrictions amid the media freedom debate
# Trump’s approval rating hits a new low ahead of the congressional elections
# And cricket: Bavuma and Jansen lead the Proteas’ fightback on the third day in Gqeberha

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has raised questions about possible social media restrictions during discussions around media freedom. Speaking at a Black Wednesday commemoration in Johannesburg, Ramaphosa stressed the importance of an independent media in holding government accountable. Black Wednesday commemorates the apartheid government’s crackdown on anti-apartheid publications in 1977. Ramaphosa highlighted concerns about misinformation, and online abuse targeting journalists:

# The extortion and money-laundering case againstg Mpumalanga businessman Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and three co-accused has been postponed in the Delmas Magistrate’s Court to April next year. The group allegedly extorted more than two-million-rand in protection fees from a businessman during a road construction project in the province. The state alleges witnesses and an investigator had been intimidated and threatened. The defence requested relaxed bail conditions, including monthly police check-ins. The magistrate has yet to decide on the request.

# Agricultural union TLU SA says it regrets the establishment of a new Red Meat Forum by Vrystaat Landbou. Spokesperson Zelda Brits says a parallel structure recruiting producers nationally could create uncertainty and weaken the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation. Brits says producers should support commodity organisations, hold leaders accountable and drive change from within, rather than forming new bodies. She warns fragmentation will harm the red meat industry:

Moving abroad:

# With congressional elections less than three weeks away, US president Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to a record low of 31-percent. According to a new Reuters-Ipsos poll, only 35-percent of registered voters say they would vote Republican, compared with 47-percent who favour the Democrats. Rising petrol prices and concerns about the economy are contributing to growing dissatisfaction with Trump’s performance. The November third elections will determine control of Congress and a Democrat victory would make it harder for Trump to push through his political agenda.

# Cricket: Captain Temba Bavuma and allrounder Marco Jansen led South Africa’s fightback on the third day of the rain-affected second Test against Australia in Gqeberha. The Proteas resumed their first innings on 95 for five after very little play was possible on the first two days. Wiaan Mulder then lost his wicket before Bavuma and Jansen started building their seventh-wicket partnership. It only ended 132 runs later when Jansen became Scott Boland’s fifth victim for 85. At teatime, South Africa was on 318 for seven, with Bavuma on 125.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-44-cents and the euro at 18-rand-45-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-96-cents and Bitcoin trades at 81-thousand-421-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-119-dollars-94-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 112-dollars-72-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….