News 07:00

BULLETIN 21 October 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa and Uganda want to strengthen trade and investment ties
# The EFF calls for the Tshwane mayor to resign over the Bronkhorstspruit water crisis
# And, Britain launches a defensive mission to protect Saudi Arabia

# Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola has emphasised the need to translate bilateral commitments into tangible economic benefits. He participated in the Third Session of the South Africa–Uganda Joint Commission for Cooperation in Pretoria yesterday. Lamola said the two countries had significant opportunities to expand cooperation in transport, mining, energy, agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, infrastructure, financial services, telecommunications and tourism. He also welcomed Uganda’s emphasis on economic diplomacy and on converting diplomatic engagement into tangible trade and investment opportunities:

# As Finance minister Enoch Godongwana is set to table the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement today, the DA says South Africa needs better spending, faster reform and greater accountability. Economists expect Godongwana to report an improvement in the country’s fiscal position, with the budget deficit potentially narrowing and the primary budget surplus strengthening beyond earlier projections. The DA says it will judge the budget against five key priorities. These are: stabilise public debt, put a fiscal rule into law, spend on the right things, speed up reform, and fix failing municipalities.

Meanwhile, AfriForum says the policy statement must provide relief to consumers amid sky-high fuel prices, along with other measures that will stimulate economic growth. AfriForum’s Louis Boshoff says Godongwana must remember that the high tax collection still comes from the pockets of a shrinking group of payers; therefore, the government must show greater appreciation for the country’s taxpayers:

# The EFF calls for Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya to resign over the water crisis in Bronkhorstspruit, which has reportedly left 408 people ill. The party alleges that water from the Bronkhorstspruit Treatment Works went without chlorination for three weeks, putting residents at risk. It has also laid criminal charges against the mayor and city manager and lodged a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission. The red berets call for a disaster declaration and an urgent task team.

# Britain will deploy RAF Typhoon jets to Saudi Arabia to help protect the country from attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis, marking an escalation in the country’s involvement in the regional conflict. This follows Houthi attacks on the Saudi capital Riyadh, as well as on energy sites on the country’s coast. British Defence Secretary Wes Streeting says the RAF Typhoon aircraft will conduct defensive counter-air operations over Saudi Arabia, helping to protect Saudi cities, civilian populations and critical national infrastructure from Houthi attack:

# Rugby: The Stormers could welcome loose forward Hacjivah Dayimani back for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship match against the Scarlets in Cape Town. Assistant coach Dawie Snyman says Dayimani should be available after missing last weekend’s win over Bristol Bears because of concussion. Captain Ruhan Nel remains in doubt with a minor calf injury, although his withdrawal against Bristol was largely precautionary. The Stormers are also weighing up whether to rest some Springboks ahead of the November international break. The team is due to be announced later today.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-39-cents and the euro at 18-rand-39-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-91-cents and Bitcoin trades at 83-thousand-54-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-117-dollars-60-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 111-dollars-52-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….