News 06:00

BULLETIN 18 October 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says there are no findings against him in the Phala Phala matter
# Cosatu raises alarm over the surge in food poisoning cases
# And cricket: The Proteas stun Australia to reach the Women’s T20 World Cup final

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says investigations into the funds uncovered at the Phala Phala farm in Limpopo have concluded, with independent bodies finding no wrongdoing on his part. In his reply to the National Assembly’s oral questions, he highlighted that the National Assembly decided not to pursue the independent panel’s report for further inquiry. Ramaphosa expressed his full cooperation during the investigations and is confident in the upcoming Constitutional Court review on 26 November: 

Meanwhile, the MK Party parliamentary leader, John Hlophe, has criticised the National Prosecuting Authority’s decision not to prosecute anyone in the Phala Phala matter. Former spy boss Arthur Fraser had opened a case against Ramaphosa and the former head of his presidential protection unit, Wally Rhoode. This was over the alleged cover-up of theft of foreign currency at the president’s Limpopo game farm in 2020. Hlophe says the NPA’s decision proves that justice in South Africa is reserved for the elite:

# The Congress of South African Trade Unions has cautioned about the rising cases of food poisoning in school learners. This follows the latest incident of 25 learners from a primary school in Bronkhorstspruit and over 20 learners from Marhagi Secondary School at Verena in Mpumalanga being hospitalised for food poisoning. At the same time, six children died in Naledi, Soweto. The federation urges stricter food inspections and enforcement against counterfeit goods while calling for accountability from the companies responsible.

 # The Department of Employment and Labour has announced that all Unemployment Insurance Fund online services are now fully restored after a six-week disruption. Minister Nomakhosazana Meth confirmed that platforms like uFiling, the UIF USSD service, and the mobile app are operational again for claims and payments. The services were temporarily down due to unforeseen issues. Meth thanked clients for their patience, assuring that measures are being put in place to prevent future service interruptions. 

# Israel has confirmed that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has been killed in an operation in the south of Gaza. His body was reportedly spotted in the rubble of a building struck by an Israeli tank. The Israel Defence Forces says Sinwar was identified after officials ran DNA tests and used dental records. He was the architect of the October seven attack in Israel that set off the war in Gaza. Israel’s president Isaac Herzog says Sinwar’s evil endeavours were dedicated to terror, bloodshed, and destabilising the Middle East.

# Cricket: South Africa put on a dominant performance to beat defending champions Australia by eight wickets in Dubai, and reach the Women’s T20 World Cup final. Australia posted 134 for four. In reply, Anneke Bosch smashed an unbeaten 74, while captain Laura Wolvaardt added 42 in a second-wicket partnership of 96, as the Proteas reached the target with 16 balls to spare. Bosch says to defeat Australia in a T20 World Cup for the first time is amazing:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-67-cents and the euro at 19-rand-14-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-1-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-329-dollar-18-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-693-dollars-7-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-41-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….