News 08:00

BULLETIN 26 October 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Pule says peaceful elections depend on responsible leadership, cooperation and active participation
# Julius Malema emphasises the importance of voting to bring about change
# And, more than 200-million-rand’s raw cocaine seized at OR Tambo International Airport

# Minister of Social Development Dina Pule has called on South Africans to promote peace, tolerance and respect for democratic rights ahead of the upcoming local government elections. She was speaking at the Women United for Peace Prayer at Durban City Hall in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday. She has called on political leaders, communities and faith-based organisations to work together to prevent violence, intimidation and hatred. Pule stressed the importance of ensuring that women could participate in political and community activities without facing threats, intimidation or violence:

Meanwhile, EFF leader Julius Malema says on the fourth of November, every vote will be an opportunity to demand change and hold local government accountable. He was campaigning in Thembisa, Gauteng, yesterday ahead of next Wednesday’s local government elections, where the party is seeking to capture the mayoral chains in Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni. Malema has promised to exempt indigent households from paying municipal rates and service charges under an EFF-led government. He has also pledged to end alleged nepotism in municipal recruitment.

# A multidisciplinary law enforcement team intercepted and seized approximately 250 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of more than 200-million-rand at OR Tambo International Airport. The drugs landed at the airport on a flight from Sao Paolo, Brazil, yesterday afternoon, packed in 216 blocks across five luggage bags. National Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says this latest seizure comes amid sustained efforts to combat drug trafficking through the airport:

# Brazil’s left-wing president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been re-elected for a fourth non-consecutive term after defeating his right-wing rival, Flávio Bolsonaro, an ally of US president Donald Trump, in the runoff election. Eighty-year-old Lula received 51.75-percent of the vote to his 45-year-old rival’s 48.25-percent. This marks the first time since 1989 that a candidate has won the presidency after finishing second in the first round. In his victory speech, Lula vowed to change how he runs the country, promising to increase public participation in decision-making.

# Motorsport: Italian Kimi Antonelli is closer to clinching his maiden Formula One Drivers’ Championship title after converting pole position into victory in the United States Grand Prix. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished second and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in third. The Mercedes driver’s nearest rivals, Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton took fourth and teammate George Russell eighth to stay in mathematical contention. Antonelli, who will clinch the title in Mexico City on Sunday if he finishes in the top nine, says this was the result he needed:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-60-cents and the euro at 18-rand-63-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-22-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 79-thousand-600-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-14-dollars a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 114-dollars-80-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….