News 14:00

BULLETIN 17 October 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa commits to supporting new energy vehicle production in South Africa
# The inaugural meeting of the government of national unity’s clearing house mechanism kicks off successfully
# And cricket: New Zealand bowls India out for a mere 46 in their first innings in Bengaluru

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged government support for the production of new energy vehicles in South Africa, as the country transitions to a greener automotive industry. Speaking at the SA Automotive Week, he said the country needs to be ready for the rising demand for electric and hybrid vehicles. According to Ramaphosa, government is working on policies to help manufacturers and offer tax rebates for consumers: 

# The inaugural meeting of the government of national unity’s Clearing House Mechanism got off to a good start. The mechanism was established by Ramaphosa to resolve policy disagreements within the government. It will look at preparations for the G20 meeting to be hosted by South Africa next year; preparations for the National Dialogue; and policy challenges such as the BELA Act. It will also work towards achieving the strategic priorities of government, including the drive to reduce poverty and tackle the high cost of living.

# The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse has accused the South African National Roads Agency of using creative accounting to write off massive e-toll debts. The organisation claims Sanral overstated e-toll revenues, inflating them to over six-billion-rand, while most of this revenue is uncollectible. They are calling for an independent investigation into the agency’s financial practices. OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage says the agency’s e-toll debt has surged to nearly 29-billion-rand, most of which is marked as impaired:

# Cricket: Matt Henry and William O’Rourke wreaked havoc on the Indian batting line-up, dismissing the hosts for just 46 runs in their first innings in Bengaluru. Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss after yesterday’s first day rained out completely. The first wicket fell with just nine runs on the board and the whole team was back in the pavillion within 32 overs as Henry took five wickets and O’Rourke four. Five batters were dismissed for ducks. New Zealand surpassed India’s score without loosing a wicket and was on 160 for three shortly before stumps.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-72-cents and the euro at 19-rand-25-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-4-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-179-dollars-96-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-681-dollars-32-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-58-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Freedom Front Plus is wishing all matric learners the best of luck for their final examinations. The exams will begin on Monday and conclude on the 28th of November for both Independent Examinations Board and National Senior Certificate learners. The FF Plus’s Wynand Boshoff says when a learner enrols in Grade 1, the main objective is to write matric 12 years later:

Stay tuned for more news………….