News 12:00

BULLETIN 27 October 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ramaphosa receives the panel’s report probing a naval exercise
# Ambassador Meyer says the severely strained relations between South Africa and America require urgent restoration
# And rugby: Esterhuizen is one of three injured Sharks players ruled out of the URC clash with Munster

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has received the panel report into the naval exercise known as Exercise Will of Peace. He established the panel in February to investigate the circumstances surrounding the Chinese-led exercise held at False Bay in the Western Cape. This followed concerns Ramaphosa’s instruction for the Iranian Navy to withdraw was not followed. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says due to national security considerations, the panel’s work and report will remain confidential:

# South Africa’s ambassador to the United States, Roelf Meyer, has acknowledged diplomatic relations between the two countries are under pressure and require urgent attention from both sides. Tensions between Pretoria and Washington escalated recently after the US government announced new visa restrictions targeting individuals it accused of involvement in race‑based discrimination and uncompensated land seizures in South Africa. Meyer told the Cape Town Press Club the relationship extends beyond politics and diplomacy, arguing it has direct implications for South Africa’s economic growth, investment prospects and employment opportunities.

# The University of Johannesburg says operations, including classes and examinations, have resumed. This follows protests at the Auckland Park campus yesterday over proposed fee increases in 2027. Videos shared show protesters disrupting exam proceedings, damaging property, including the destruction of the university’s mini model. UJ management says it is engaging with student representatives to address concerns, while also ensuring academic activities continue. Meanwhile, the EFF has distanced itself from the protests, claiming individuals wearing its regalia were not representing the party. 

# Cape Town police have arrested two men for a suspected scam involving the sale of a camera advertised on Facebook Marketplace. The incident reportedly occurred at Riverlands Mall in Observatory, where the complainant had arranged to hand over the camera to prospective buyers after receiving notification of an immediate payment of 29-thousand-rand. Police spokesperson André Traut says the money did not reflect in the seller’s bank account:

# Rugby: The Sharks will be without captain André Esterhuizen, prop Phatu Ganyane and centre Jurenzo Julius for their United Rugby Championship clash against Munster in Ireland on Saturday. The players suffered injuries in last week’s bonus-point 36-21 victory over Cardiff. Esterhuizen injured his right ankle, Ganyane sustained a right elbow injury, while Julius is nursing a right hamstring problem. The squad has been bolstered by prop Cameron Dawson, winger Litelihle Bester and outside back Suleiman Hartzenberg, who joined the team on Sunday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-67-cents and the euro at 18-rand-60-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-22-cents and Bitcoin trades at 79-thousand-652-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-993-dollars-22-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 117-dollars-3-sents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….