News 13:00

BULLETIN 6 October 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says BELA improves equity and standards
# The Lusikisiki memorial service for 18 victims is underway
# And, soccer: A Preston striker gets an eight-match ban and a fine for biting a Blackburn defender

# President Cyril Ramaphosa reiterated the importance of the BELA Act, aiming to create a more equitable education system. Speaking at the 24th National Teaching Awards in Boksburg, he highlighted the law’s focus on early learning, parental accountability, and inclusivity. He urged stakeholders to support the act’s implementation to ensure uniform education standards nationwide:

# Eighteen victims of the Lusikisiki massacre are being remembered today in a mass memorial service in Ngobozana Village, Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape. The victims were ambushed while preparing for a traditional ceremony. The motive remains unclear, but police are questioning a person of interest. No arrests have been made. The victims will be laid to rest in two separate funerals on the 12th and 13th of October.

At today’s memorial in Lusikisiki, OR Tambo mayor Mesuli Ngqondwana expressed deep concern over escalating crime in the Eastern Cape. Speaking on the sidelines of the service, Ngqondwana criticised criminals for their arrogance in terrorising residents. He acknowledged the community’s lack of confidence in police protection and called for swift arrests, urging stakeholders to unite against crime:

# Donald Trump has returned to the site where he survived an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. Discussing the attack, Trump said the gunman aimed to silence him and the “Make America Great Again” movement. On his campaign for the White House, Trump promised to halve energy prices, pledged large tax cuts, and claimed his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, is strongly left wing. He also promised that the US will “reach Mars” before the end of his second term, should he be re-elected, and pledged “no men in women’s sports”.

# And, soccer: Preston striker Milutin Osmajic has been given an eight-match ban and a fine of almost 350-thousand-rand for biting Blackburn defender Owen Beck. The incident took place in a Championship match between the two clubs last month which ended in a goalless draw. During the hearing the forward admitted that he committed an act of violent conduct by biting an opponent. The two players could face each other again this month as Osmajic has been named in the Montenegro squad to take on Wales in a Nations League tie on 14 October.

Stay tuned for more news………….