News 16:00

BULLETIN 4 November 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Mbeki predicts several hung municipalities after the elections
# The North West farmer Donovan Marx suffers a medical setback
# And rugby: The Springboks’ defence coach warns an injury-depleted Italian side still poses a massive threat

# Former president Thabo Mbeki says South Africa is likely to have several hung municipalities after today’s local government elections. Speaking in Houghton, Gauteng, he attributed this to growing political fragmentation and uncertainty among voters about the country’s future direction. Mbeki says many things have gone wrong in local government and he believes voters are unsure which political parties can provide the right answers. He says the country must confront the underlying problems:

# The Motor Industry Staff Association says the industry cannot depend on a single export market. This follows the US’ decision to remove South Africa from the African Growth and Opportunity Act from January next year. The union’s Phakamile Hlubi-Majola says the industry has already been hit by a 25-percent US tariff, which contributed to an 83-percent drop in vehicle exports to America last year:

# The family of North West farmer Donovan Marx has revealed he has suffered a medical setback following emergency surgery. Marx was seriously injured during a brutal farm attack near Ventersdorp last week and remains in intensive care. Four accused remain in custody after appearing in the local Magistrate’s Court yesterday, while a fifth reportedly turned state witness. Marx’s family says his recovery remains challenging and is asking South Africans for continued prayers, support and strength.

Moving abroad:

# A Chinese court has begun hearing a defamation case against the US state of Missouri and several current and former attorneys general over claims linked to the Covid-19 pandemic. The plaintiffs, including the Wuhan government and the city’s Institute of Virology, accuse Missouri of spreading false and discriminatory information about China’s role in the pandemic. They are seeking a public apology and compensation of 887-billion-rand. The case follows a 2020 lawsuit in which Missouri accused Chinese authorities of mishandling the pandemic and causing economic losses.

# Rugby: Springbok defence coach Jerry Flannery insists Italy remains a highly dangerous opponent despite missing several key players through injury for Saturday’s Nations Championship clash in Turin. The Azzurri will be without the influential trio of Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, and Sebastian Negri. Flannery is adamant the hosts will still field a formidable outfit. He adds the Italians boast a quality squad anchored by a strong set-piece and explosive outside backs:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-43-cents and the euro at 18-rand-51-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-18-cents and Bitcoin trades at 78-thousand-197-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-46-dollars-42-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 105-dollars-17-sents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….