News 18:00

BULLETIN 17 October 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa reaffirms a commitment to upholding executive ethics amid the VBS allegations
# The Israeli military says it possibly killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar
# And rugby: Minister Gayton McKenzie clarifies the Springbok equity deal

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed his commitment to upholding ethical conduct in the executive following allegations about a VBS Mutual Bank loan involving Justice minister Thembi Simelane. He highlighted that all members are required to disclose their financial interests annually to ensure transparency and prevent conflicts of interest. Addressing oral questions in the National Assembly, Ramaphosa stated he is carefully considering the findings: 

Meanwhile, the MK Party has accused the government of national unity of fundamental disunity that reverses transformation gains. Addressing the media, parliamentary leader John Hlope criticised the ANC-DA coalition, claiming it has delayed key laws including the Employment Equity amendments. Hlope accused Ramaphosa of capitulating to DA demands, harming governance and transparency. He also slammed the failure to prosecute Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala scandal, calling it evidence of selective justice that shields the powerful from accountability.

# The Police ministry has confirmed that police are actively pursuing additional suspects connected to the mass shooting in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape where 18 people were murdered. Four suspects have been arrested so far. One suspect is still on the run, and the weapons used in the mass shooting have not been found. Briefing the media, national police commissioner Fannie Masemola emphasised the need to address rising violence and illegal firearms: 

# The Israeli military says it is checking the possibility it has killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. He has led Hamas within Gaza since 2017 and is considered the mastermind of the 7 October attacks last year. The 62-year-old took over full leadership of Hamas after its political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in Iran in July. According to Sky News Middle East, Sinwar has presumably been hiding underground in the network of tunnels beneath Gaza. He has been Israel’s main target since it began strikes and ground invasions in Gaza a year ago.

# Rugby: The minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has clarified his involvement in the controversial 1.3-billion-rand Springbok equity deal. During a media briefing, he explained that he has been actively involved in discussions to ensure South African interests are adequately represented in the deal. McKenzie emphasises that he met with the South African Rugby Union three months ago to address concerns about the deal, which was initially met with objections: 

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-73-cents and the euro at 19-rand-20-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-6-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-947-dollars-36-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-689-dollars-90-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-55-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….