News 18:00
BULLETIN 3 November 6 pm
Good afternoon. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# The fifth accused in the Donovan Marx farm attack is set to become a state witness
# The Cape Independence Group warns the AGOA exit will hit the Western Cape economy
# And, Volodymyr Zelensky is on a visit to Berlin ahead of the peace talks
# One of the five accused in connection with the brutal attack on North West farmer Donovan Marx is expected to become a state witness. The other four accused face attempted murder, robbery and illegal firearm possession charges. They return to the Ventersdorp Magistrate’s Court on 13 November for bail proceedings. Provincial police commissioner Arthur Peter Adams told the media investigators believe the man was not actively involved in the attack:
# The Cape Independence Advocacy Group warns South Africa’s exclusion from AGOA will have serious consequences for the Western Cape economy. The group’s Phil Craig says the province exported 14.5-billion-rand to the US in 2025, with citrus, wine, fruit juice and yacht manufacturing facing uncertainty, and Wesgro estimates US exports supported 28-thousand jobs. He says Pretoria’s centralised foreign policy prioritises liberation alliances over economic interests and calls for greater provincial control:
# Former Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has formally appealed the Randburg Magistrate’s Court decision to deny him bail. Magistrate Hleziphi Mkhasibe refused bail on October 20, citing concerns about possible witness interference and evidence tampering. Sibiya faces six charges, including rape, sexual grooming, human trafficking for sexual exploitation and negligent firearm handling. He remains in custody at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre. His criminal trial is scheduled to begin on November 24.
# Volodymyr Zelensky is in Berlin today for talks with German chancellor Friedrich Merz, who made it clear he intends to show his support for the Ukrainian leader. This comes a week before the resumption of US-brokered Russian-Ukrainian peace negotiations. European leaders have backed Zelensky as he clashed with US president Donald Trump over his decision to buy Russian diesel, and calls on Kyiv to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries. Germany has become Ukraine’s largest supporter since Trump returned to office last year and withdrew US financial support.
# Soccer: West Ham United have sacked head coach Nuno Espírito Santo after a poor start to their Championship campaign. The club confirmed his departure following Saturday’s three-one home defeat to West Bromwich Albion, their second consecutive loss at home. West Ham are eighth in the standings after 13 matches, following their relegation from the Premier League last season. Assistant coach Rui Pedro Silva and goalkeeper coach Rui Barbosa have also left. Former captain Mark Noble will oversee preparations for Wednesday’s match against Cardiff City while the club searches for a replacement.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-53-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-50-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-19-cents and Bitcoin trades at 77-thousand-314-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-962-dollars-22-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 105-dollars-64-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….