News 17:00

BULLETIN 21 October 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Two additional accused in the Lusikisiki mass killings appear in court
# The Institute of Race Relations and the Human Rights Commission are to address racial classification in South Africa
# And cricket: The Proteas have a 34-run lead after the first day of the first Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur

# Two additional accused have been added to the case of the Lusikisiki mass killings in the Eastern Cape. They will appear in the local Magistrate’s Court again next Thursday, where they will join the other four accused. The National Prosecuting Authority’s regional spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, says Zenande Paya and Mawethu Nomdlembu were arrested in Flagstaff with four rifles and ammunition believed to have been used in last month’s massacre in Ngobozana village in which 18 people were killed: 

# The Institute of Race Relations and the South African Human Rights Commission will meet this week to address the contentious issue of racial classification in South Africa. The institute’s campaign manager, Makone Maja, emphasises that reliance on apartheid-era classifications continues to harm society. He notes an increase in racialised laws, with 141 currently in operation, compared to just 52 in 1996. He says the meeting aims to explore the implications of these classifications on democratic institutions and societal progress.

# The South African Zionist Federation is urging the South African government to exert pressure on Hamas to release hostages following the death of the group’s leader, Yahya Sinwar. According to the organisation, Sinwar was responsible for orchestrating attacks that resulted in the abduction of over 250 individuals during the 7 October massacre in Israel last year. The federation’s Rolene Marks urges government to use its influence to demand the hostages’ release and support efforts to bring peace to the region. 

# Cricket: South Africa reached 140 for six at the end of the first day of the first Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur. The Proteas’ bowlers did brilliant to bowl the hosts out for just 106, but South Africa’s stand-in Test captain, Aiden Markram, then lost his wicket for just six runs and another five batters were dismissed with a lead of just two runs. Tony de Zorzi contributed 30, Ryan Rickelton 27 and Tristan Stubbs 23. Kyle Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder will resume the innings tomorrow.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-59-cents and the euro at 19-rand-9-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-92-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-27-dollars-18-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-737-dollars-64-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-6-cents a barrel.

# And finally: ActionSA in KwaZulu-Natal says Princess Sibuyiselwe Angela Buthelezi’s dedication to serving the country as a member in the National Assembly will forever shine through. The 55-year-old daughter to the late Zulu prime minister and IFP founder, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, died this morning. Zwakele Mncwango of ActionSA says her selfless work and contributions to the nation will never go unnoticed, and her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come:

Stay tuned for more news………….