News 11:00

BULLETIN 3 November 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# US ambassador says South Africa’s AGOA removal was predictable and preventable
# Johannesburg moves to reduce reliance on private water tanker contractors
# And rugby: Erasmus says Moerat brings value to the Bok team

# US ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell says the country’s removal from the African Growth and Opportunity Act was a predictable and preventable consequence of government policies. US trade representative Jamieson Greer says the South African government has engaged in practices that are inconsistent with AGOA’s eligibility criteria. Bozell remains hopeful the two countries can find a path forward to address larger bilateral concerns, but says government must understand the gravity of the situation. South Africa accounts for 54-percent of all AGOA-related exports to the US.

# Union federation SAFTU has welcomed the Gauteng High Court judgment ordering former Bosasa chief operating official Angelo Agrizzi to pay the state more than 1.66-billion-rand. This is related to proceeds of corruption linked to the company’s unlawful activities. SAFTU’s Asive Dyani says Bosasa’s operations demonstrated how private business interests could exploit their proximity to state power to secure lucrative government contracts, while public resources intended to serve society were diverted towards private enrichment:

# Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero says the city is gradually building its own fleet of water tankers to reduce its reliance on private contractors. He was briefing the media on the current water supply situation and efforts to restore services. Morero says 20 tankers bought last year are already operating, with another 16 being rolled out, as the city acknowledges the hardship faced by residents without water for days or weeks:

Moving abroad:

# The US military carried out strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island, hours before Americans are set to vote in the midterm elections. According to reports, the strikes were in response to Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps firing at a US aircraft. This comes after president Donald Trump suggested yesterday that diplomacy with Iran is still at work, saying an agreement could happen. The US-Iranian conflict has been a key talking point leading up to the midterms, with the conflict affecting the American economy and driving up global fuel prices.

# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has defended lock Salmaan Moerat against criticism on social media, saying his contribution is invaluable. Eleven-cap Moerat starts in the second row for South Africa’s Nations Championship clash against Italy in Turin on Saturday. The 28-year-old, who left the Stormers for French outfit La Rochelle, has not played for the Boks this year. Erasmus says Moerat’s value in the team lies in unglamorous graft rather than flashy play:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-65-cents and the euro at 18-rand-64-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-34-cents and Bitcoin trades at 76-thousand-434-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-911-dollars-39-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 110-dollars-86-sents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….