News 13:00

BULLETIN 21 October 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The NPA drops the charges against one of the accused in the Joslin Smith case
# Eighty health inspectors are probing a spate of food poisoning cases in Gauteng
# And cricket: Kagiso Rabada becomes the third-fastest South African to take 300 Test wickets

# The National Prosecuting Authority has dropped charges against the fourth accused in the Joslin Smith disappearance case. Lorentia Lombaard appeared in the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court on the West Coast today alongside Joslin’s mother, Kelly Smith, and co-accused Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn. The trio faces charges of trafficking persons for exploitation and kidnapping. Their next court appearance is set for 31 January for pre-trial proceedings. Joslin went missing in Saldanha Bay on 19 February while in the care of Appollis, her mother’s boyfriend.

# The Health Department has deployed a team of 80 environmental health inspectors to Soweto to search for chemicals believed to be behind a spate of food poisoning incidents. Gauteng has seen a series of food poisoning incidents, which led to the death of six children in Soweto. The children reported buying snacks from a spaza shop. The department’s spokesperson, Foster Mohale, says the inspectors have undergone training and begin their work today:

# The Referendum Party is calling on the government of national unity to make a public and unequivocal statement confirming that it recognises the Taiwanese people’s right to self-determination. This comes as South Africa has told Taiwan to move its embassy out of Pretoria, reportedly at the urging of China. The Referendum Party’s president, Phil Craig, says South Africa is seeking to further marginalise the Taiwanese people:

# Cricket: Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has become the third-fastest South African to take 300 Test wickets after Dale Steyn and Allan Donald. He reached the feat as Bangladesh crumbled to 106 all out on the opening day of the first Test in Mirpur today. The 29-year-old has also become the fastest bowler to take 300 Test wickets by balls bowled, reaching the feat in 11-thousand-817 deliveries. Rabada is ahead of Pakistan’s Waqar Younis, Steyn and Donald.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-62-cents and the euro at 19-rand-13-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-95-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-365-dollars-5-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-734-dollars-81-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-86-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Department of Correctional Services has announced that 173 inmates from 18 correctional facilities will begin writing their National Senior Certificate exams today, running until 28 November. Spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo confirmed the inmates completed their syllabus on time and received year-round assessments. He emphasised that support, including new technology, is in place to assist them, and encouraged learners to embrace this opportunity for personal growth:

Stay tuned for more news………….