News 07:00

BULLETIN 23 October 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Godongwana says red tape is holding back investment
# Minister Hlabisa says municipalities must be responsive to the needs of communities
# And, president Macron is tightening the restrictions on protests

# Finance minister Enoch Godongwana has warned that constitutional requirements and red tape can delay investment and economic growth in South Africa. Speaking at an event hosted by Rand Merchant Bank, Godongwana highlighted the need to remove obstacles that make it harder to get projects moving. He said the government is pursuing reforms to simplify administrative processes, speed up infrastructure development and attract private investment, with new rules making municipal partnerships cheaper and easier:

# Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, says municipalities must be responsive to the needs of communities and be able to fulfil their constitutional responsibilities. President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled the revised White Paper on Local Government yesterday, as government moves towards a new approach to municipal governance and service delivery. Hlabisa says a key focus now will be the 90-day Local Government Transition Plan to translate the policy framework into practical action, including identifying immediate priorities and defining responsibilities and timelines:

# The ANC has instructed its national chairperson, Gwede Mantashe, to apologise sincerely for the unfortunate remarks he made about women, while he was campaigning in the North West ahead of the local government elections. Responding to a question by a Newzroom Afrika journalist on sex for jobs, Mantashe referenced female genitalia. The ANC says it recognises that unequal gender and power relations continue to expose women to sexual exploitation. It adds that party leaders have a heightened responsibility to confront discrimination and advance gender equality.

# The DA says the City of Tshwane must urgently confirm whether chlorine shortages have affected other water treatment plants following the failure to treat drinking water at the Bronkhorstspruit plant for several weeks. The party’s Cilliers Brink says they have received reports alleging that other plants may also be without chlorine. Brink urges mayor Nasiphi Moya to release water test results and clarify risks to other communities:

# French president Emmanuel Macron says that “illegitimate” demonstrations will be banned in the coming days, while blaming “seditious” ultra-left groups and vandals for the violence. Protests over the state of education and cost of living have spiralled into nationwide violence and rioting, with over two-thousand people arrested this past weekend alone. Authorities banned yesterday’s planned demonstrations in Paris, Lyon, Lille and Grenoble. Macron says protests organised by recognised groups such as trade unions would be allowed to go ahead, although their routes could be changed to protect businesses.

# Rugby: The Bulls will have to do without Springbok scrumhalf Embrose Papier for several weeks after undergoing surgery. The 29-year-old suffered an ankle injury after coming off the bench in the Bulls’ 56-20 Champions Cup win over Stade Français last Saturday. Papier’s absence leaves Paul de Wet and Zak Burger as the scrumhalf options for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash against Ulster at Loftus. De Wet retains the number nine jersey alongside flyhalf Handré Pollard, with coach Johan Ackermann keeping his starting backline unchanged despite making wholesale changes to the forward pack.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-52-cents and the euro at 18-rand-52-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-13-cents and Bitcoin trades at 81-thousand-187-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-8-dollars-17-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 115-dollars-33-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….