News 15:00

BULLETIN 9 November 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Hawks and Interpol arrest nine foreigners attempting to join the Russian-Ukrainian conflict from Johannesburg
# Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala challenges the use of statements from a failed plea deal
# And: COP31 leaders urge faster action to tackle climate change

# Nine foreign nationals, aged 20 to 26, were arrested at OR Tambo Airport and a Bruma hotel in Gauteng while allegedly preparing to travel to join the Russian-Ukrainian war. Police spokesperson Katlego Mogalehe says the arrests followed a coordinated investigation involving police, the Haweks and Interpol. The suspects face charges under the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act. Authorities praised the multidisciplinary team’s efforts for enforcing South African law and combating crime. Mogalehe says they will appear in the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court soon.

# The legal team for alleged cartel member Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is challenging the Madlanga Commission’s use of statements he made during a plea deal with prosecutors. Matlala had admitted to charges linked to a police healthcare tender and agreed to testify against other accused people, including senior police officers. But the deal collapsed after a court rejected the proposed sentence as too lenient, and Matlala withdrew. His lawyers argue that statements made during the negotiations are protected and should not be used by the Commission:

# The Johannesburg Metro Police Department reminds all political parties and independent candidates to remove election posters within 14 days after elections, as mandated by the 2009 Outdoor Advertising By-laws. Spokesperson Xolani Fihla says failure to comply will lead to removal by municipal teams and a 500-rand fine per poster. He says leftover campaign materials cause clutter, safety risks, and asset damage. He urged parties to take responsibility and clear their posters:

# World leaders have urged governments to accelerate efforts to combat climate change, as the COP31 summit opened in Turkey on Monday. UN climate chief Simon Stiell warned that progress in cutting greenhouse gas emissions is nowhere near fast enough, while rising temperatures and extreme weather are threatening lives and economies. The United Nations says 2026 is on track to be among the four hottest years on record. The summit is focusing on turning existing promises into action, including expanding clean energy and helping vulnerable countries cope with climate impacts.

# Tennis: World number three Carlos Alcaraz doesn’t regard himself as the favourite in the season-ending ATP Finals, starting in Turin, Italy, on Sunday. The Spaniard seems to have regained his top form, defeating American Ben Shelton in the Paris Masters final yesterday, after missing about four months of the season with a wrist injury. Alcaraz says anything can happen in Turin, where the world’s top eight compete:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-44-cents and the euro at 18-rand-40-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-6-cents and Bitcoin trades at 74-thousand-388-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-107-dollars-65-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 97-dollars-95-sents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….