News 12:00

BULLETIN 23 October 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA warns of a worsening water crisis across Gauteng
# The EU wants significant cooperation with South Africa on critical minerals and the broader energy transition
# And rugby: Five Springboks return to the Sharks’ match 23 for tonight’s URC clash with Cardiff

# The DA in Gauteng has expressed concern about the growing water crisis in the province. Rand Water’s Vlakfontein reservoir is running low, threatening supply to Benoni, Daveyton and Etwatwa. In Johannesburg, communities supplied by the Commando system experience repeated interruptions. In Tshwane, Bronkhorstspruit’s residents cannot use their tap water due to contamination. The DA’s Stephen Moore says another major power failure or pump breakdown could turn an already serious situation into a much larger crisis:

# The Road Freight Association welcomes the fuel levy relief, but says South Africa’s road freight sector must prepare for continued fuel price pressure as the conflict in the Middle East continues. The levy will be reduced by three-rand a litre on diesel and one-rand-50-cents on petrol from November fourth to December first. CEO Gavin Kelly says the key question is whether the temporary relief will provide sustained respite for transport operators in the months ahead:

# The European Union’s new ambassador to South Africa, Kristian Schmidt, says the relationship with the country could be leveraged to bolster domestic mineral processing. The EU remains the country’s largest source of foreign direct investment, with two-way trade totalling 851.71-billion-rand last year. Schmidt also sees significant potential for cooperation in other areas linked to the energy transition. He emphasises the EU’s approach to South Africa will continue to be framed around dialogue and cooperation rather than coercion.

# Rugby: Sharks coach JP Pietersen has brought three of his Springboks back into the starting-15 for tonight’s fourth-round United Rugby Championship clash against Cardiff in Wales. Following their mandatory rest in last Saturday’s 40-33 Challenge Cup victory over Lyon, André Esterhuizen returns as captain, with Ethan Hooker and Edwill van der Merwe named on the wings. Two other Boks, props Ox Nché and Thomas du Toit, are set to come off the bench. The loose trio of Manu Tshituka, Matt Romao and Nick Hatton remains unchanged.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-56-cents and the euro at 18-rand-54-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-16-cents and Bitcoin trades at 81-thousand-692-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-17-dollars-88-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 114-dollars-74-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Madlanga Commission commissioner Sesi Baloyi says the media has enormous power and responsibility, but that power must be exercised fairly, independently and in the public interest. The distinguished lawyer delivered the keynote address at editors’ forum SANEF’s fundraising gala dinner in Houghton, Johannesburg. Baloyo urged the media not to silence views it disagrees with, but to defend the right of others to express differing opinions:

Stay tuned for more news………….