News 14:00

BULLETIN 14 October 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# SARS engages with the industry to prevent fuel shortages
# An education activist calls on Basic Education to consider withdrawing the appeal against learners who cheated
# And Zimbabwe records its first two cases of Mpox

# The South African Revenue Service has dismissed claims that delays in issuing fuel licenses are causing jet fuel shortages. SARS clarified that compliance with the Customs and Excise Act is challenging for some fuel companies. Refineries, affected by infrastructure issues, have shifted to import-based models. SARS has granted temporary storage licenses to prevent supply disruptions and is actively working with the industry to ensure seamless fuel availability while maintaining regulatory compliance.

# Education activist Hendrick Makaneta has called on the Department of Basic Education to consider withdrawing an appeal against learners who won a court case after they were caught cheating in 2022. He says rather than perpetuating a punitive approach, the department should prioritize restorative measures addressing the root causes of cheating. Makaneta says investing in resources to support learners, enhancing teacher training, and improving examination processes are crucial steps toward preventing future incidents:

# Zimbabwe has confirmed its first two Mpox cases. Health minister Douglas Mombeshora announced that an 11-year-old boy in Harare fell ill after visiting South Africa, while a 24-year-old man from Mberengwa developed symptoms after traveling to Tanzania. Both patients are in isolation as contact tracing continues. The minister assured the public that the situation was under control:

# Cricket: Australia announced their 14-member squad for the ODI series against Pakistan, scheduled from the fourth to the tenth of next month. Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head have not been included in the squad as they have been granted paternity leave, while Cameron Green is recovering from back surgery. Pat Cummins returns as captain after missing the recent white-ball tour of England and Scotland to rest. Marcus Stoinis also makes his ODI return having not played since last year’s World Cup.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-50-cents and the euro at 19-rand-13-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-85-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-834-dollars-16-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-661-dollars-44-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-6-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Activists and Citizens Forum says former Finance minister Tito Mboweni who died this weekend, was loyal to the country, hardworking and hated corruption. Mboweni’s journey as a servant of the people began in 1980 when he left the University of the North, abandoning his studies to go into exile during the height of apartheid. The forum’s spokesperson, Dennis Bloem, says the country has lost a patriot:

Stay tuned for more news………….