News 18:00

BULLETIN 9 October 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The man arrested for the Lusikisiki massacre has prior convictions for murder and escape
# Samwu urges immediate salary increases and the reinstatement of dismissed workers under the new Tshwane mayor  
# And tennis: Aryna Sabalenka says women’s tennis needs her rivalry with Iga Swiatek

# The National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed it will oppose bail for the parolee accused of the Lusikisiki mass murders in the Eastern Cape. Siphosoxolo Myekethe is facing 18 counts of murder and one count of illegal firearm possession. NPA regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali says the accused appeared in the local Magistrate’s Court today, where the case was postponed to Tuesday for further profiling and a report on his parole status: 

# Municipal union Samwu is demanding immediate payment of salary increases owed to municipal workers following the election of Tshwane’s new mayor, Nasiphi Moya. The union wants the municipality to immediately withdraw its review application to the Labour Court regarding the 5.4-percent salary increase for 2023. Samwu regional secretary Precious Theledi also calls for the reinstatement of workers dismissed by the DA-coalition.

# Home Affairs Department has officially gazetted the remote work visitor visa and a new points-based system for work visas. Minister Leon Schreiber praised the reforms as a major step toward attracting foreign talent, boosting investment, and creating jobs. He says these initiatives aim to streamline visa processes, cut red tape, and combat corruption within the immigration system:

# Tennis: World number two Aryna Sabalenka believes her rivalry with top-ranked Iga Swiatek is much-needed in women’s tennis. The Belarusian advanced to the Wuhan Open third round, winning 6-4, 6-4 against Katerina Siniakova. Swiatek is absent from the field in Wuhan and withdrew from the China Open after splitting with her coach. Sabalenka has a chance to close the gap on the Polish player, with the battle for top spot likely to come down to the wire at the WTA finals in Riyadh next month.

# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-66-cents and the euro at 19-rand-35-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-10-cents and Bitcoin trades at 61-thousand-841-dollars-97-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-608-dollars-28-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-52-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Brazilian nun Sister Rosita Milesi has won the 2024 United Nations refugee agency’s Nansen Award for her decades of work supporting migrants and refugees in Brazil. Over 40 years, she has helped thousands access legal documents, shelter, food, healthcare, and employment. Milesi, who directs the Migration and Human Rights Institute, played a crucial role in shaping Brazil’s 1997 refugee law and 2017 migration law. The award honours her commitment to refugee rights and humanitarian efforts.

Stay tuned for more news………….