News 14:00

BULLETIN 9 November 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says local government must serve as an engine room for service delivery
# Social Development urges multi-sectoral collaboration to enhance care for children with disabilities
# And rugby: Rassie says the Springboks have to improve before facing France and Ireland

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says winning the confidence of the electorate at the ballot box must never be taken for granted, following the conclusion of the local government elections. The Electoral Commission has officially declared the elections free and fair. In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa emphasises local government must serve as an engine room for service delivery, a driver of development, and a creator of opportunity. He adds through their votes, citizens have made a clear demand for those entrusted with public service to fully execute their responsibilities.

# The Department of Social Development urges collaboration across government, civil society, and communities to enhance care for children with disabilities. As Disability Rights Awareness Month unfolds, the department highlights the need for coordinated, child-centered services. Spokesperson Lumka Oliphant says pilot respite care programmes in Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape provide temporary relief for caregivers. She says partnerships with Japan’s International Cooperation Agency and other departments aim to improve early identification:

# The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on gender-based violence following the arrest of a male suspect in the CBD yesterday. During a routine patrol, an alert JMPD Superintendent came across an active scene at the corner of Von Wielligh and Melrose Streets. JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla says the Superintendent found the suspect severely assaulting his girlfriend:

# Former US president Joe Biden’s doctors continue to be encouraged by how he has responded to cancer treatment. The 83-year-old revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis in May last year. His book, “Promise Me, America,” will be released next Tuesday. Biden says in a statement the book covers his years as president, the challenges, decisions he made and his faith in the American people. He says as he continues treatment, he won’t be able to have as many public conversations about his book as he would have hoped. 

# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says they have to improve before facing France and Ireland this coming weekend, despite humiliating Italy 66-7 in the first round of the Nations Championship’s northern series. South Africa raced to a 45-0 halftime lead after scoring six tries, but took the foot off the pedal in the second half. Erasmus says it wasn’t perfect, although he was pleased with the discipline, conceding just a few penalties and no cards:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-47-cents and the euro at 18-rand-43-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-9-cents and Bitcoin trades at 74-thousand-62-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-97-dollars-68-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 100-dollars-20-sents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….