News 14:00

BULLETIN 26 October 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# De Kock alleges political office bearers were aware of apartheid-era crimes
# Ramaphosa deploys 510 soldiers to Kwa-Zulu Natal amid anti-immigration unrest
# And rugby: The Springboks are sweating over the fitness of the injured Esterhuizen

# Former apartheid-era police officer Eugene de Kock has told the Truth and Reconciliation Commission inquiry senior political office bearers knew about and were involved in apartheid-era crimes. He alleged former Law and Order minister Louis le Grange approved the bombing of ANC offices in London, while Adriaan Vlok, who also held the portfolio, congratulated him after bombings targeting the South African Council of Churches and COSATU. De Kock confirmed senior police generals were never prosecuted:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the deployment of 510 Defence Force soldiers to KwaZulu-Natal amid anti-immigration protests in Durban. The deployment, at a cost of 34-million-rand, is part of Operation Prosper and will run until 30 November. Ramaphosa notified Parliament in writing on 21 October, as required by the Constitution. He says misinformation about a court judgment sparked violence during the protests, with one person killed last week. He says soldiers are now on standby.

# Parliament’s Health Committee says suspending one official over the Bronkhorstspruit water crisis in Gauteng is not enough. Chairperson Faith Muthambi told eNCA accountability must include City of Tshwane’s management and political leadership. The city admitted residents drank untreated water without warning. Over 400 gastrointestinal cases, mostly children under four, have been reported. Muthambi says the plant manager was suspended and criminal cases opened, but prior warnings about water quality were not acted on:

# Rugby: The Springboks are sweating over the fitness of versatile André Esterhuizen, who picked up a foot injury captaining the Sharks in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship match against Cardiff in Wales. He went off in the first minute, with his team going on to win 36-21. Sharks lock Stephan Lewies said earlier most players don’t like to play on artificial surfaces like at Cardiff Arms Park due to the prevalence of injuries. The Boks play Italy, France and Ireland in next month’s Nations Championship matches in Europe.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-62-cents and the euro at 18-rand-62-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-19-cents and Bitcoin trades at 80-thousand-336-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-13-dollars-4-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 115-dollars-27-sents a barrel.

# And finally: Home Affairs says more than one million South Africans have accessed smart ID replacement services at participating bank branches in seven months. The digital service is now available at 669 branches nationwide, increasing access to 873 service points. The department says applications take about five minutes. It plans to expand services to include first-time smart IDs, passports and home delivery. The department has also reminded South Africans the production of the green ID book will end in March next year.

Stay tuned for more news………….