News 18:00

BULLETIN 8 October 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# BOSA pursues clarity on the 180-billion-rand Lotto tender amidst corruption allegations
# Cosatu supports renaming Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled in solidarity with Palestine
# And soccer: Thalente Mbatha and Jayden Adams are withdrawn from the Bafana squad

# Build One South Africa is demanding transparency in the 180-billion-rand National Lottery tender process. They’ve filed a Promotion of Access to Information Act application to reveal the identities of those evaluating the tender amid corruption concerns. Allegations include conflicts of interest involving former employees of bidding firms and questionable decisions by the National Lotteries Commission. BOSA deputy leader Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster says they aim to hold accountable those responsible and ensure the protection of communities relying on lottery funding:  

#  Cosatu has welcomed the City of Johannesburg’s decision to rename Sandton Drive after Palestinian politician Leila Khaled as a gesture of solidarity with the Palestinian people. Cosatu deputy international secretary, Noxolo Bhengu, praised the city council for this move, recognising it as a tribute to those who contributed to the fight against apartheid and a symbol of the shared struggle against colonialism:

# The suspect in the Madeleine McCann case has been cleared of a string of sexual attacks in Portugal, unrelated to the missing British toddler. Christian B, as he is known under privacy laws, had denied three rapes and the sexual abuse of two young girls while he was living on the Algarve coast. He has been the main suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance for at least seven years, but has not been charged. He is currently serving a seven-year sentence for the rape of an American woman in Portugal.

# Soccer: Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has confirmed that Thalente Mbatha and Jayden Adams have been withdrawn from the squad to face Congo Brazzaville in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Gqeberha on Friday. Broos explained Mbatha was withdrawn after scans confirmed a knee injury after the MTN8 final in Durban. Adams, who also played in the same match, was withdrawn due to ill discipline. Mbatha and Adams will be replaced by Bathusi Aubaas and Sinoxolo Kwayiba.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-54-cents and the euro at 19-rand-26-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-98-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-505-dollars-80-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-634-dollars-61-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-64-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Seven scientists from the University of Johannesburg have been recognised among the world’s top two-percent of scientists for 2024. This is according to a list compiled by Elsevier and Stanford University using Scopus data. The distinguished UJ researchers include Professors Samuel Oluwatobi Oluwafemi, Reinout Meijboom, and Philiswa Nomngongo. This honour reflects global recognition for research excellence and enhances the scientists’ academic reputation. The recognition could lead to increased funding and collaboration opportunities.

Stay tuned for more news………….