News 18:00

BULLETIN 22 October 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# BP South Africa confirms a fuel shortage in Cape Town
# Saftu vows to defend workers’ rights against proposed labour law reforms
# And cricket: Bangladesh needs another 101 runs to make the Proteas bat again in the first Test

# BP South Africa has confirmed a fuel shortage at its Cape Town service stations following an unplanned refinery outage. This comes after Astron Energy’s Milnerton refinery faced an operational issue over the weekend, disrupting petrol and diesel supply. In a statement, BP says it has redirected an import vessel from Durban to mitigate the shortage, but bad weather caused delays. BP has assured customers that the refinery is now fully operational, and that fuel supply will soon stabilise.

# Union federation Saftu has promised to defend workers’ rights against proposed labour law amendments that it views as an attack on the working class. According to the organisation, the new laws would allow employers to dismiss workers without hearings, reduce protections for young and new employees, and limit workers’ rights in disputes. Saftu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi told the media these changes favour businesses and weaken workers’ power: 

# Approximately 400 Grade 12 learners from Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape were unable to write their Computer Applications Technology exam today. This is due to power outages caused by severe storms and flooding. Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube has informed Parliament’s portfolio committee on Basic Education about the situation. She however assured the public that contingency plans are in place, including backup papers. Gwarube says quality assurance council Umalusi’s support will ensure that learners can complete their exams without further challenges.

Meanwhile, the Western Cape Education Department has issued a warning about a fake video, claiming a matric learner at a non-existent school, Golden Gates High School, was caught cheating. The video has caused unnecessary panic among learners and parents. Education MEC David Maynier urges the public not to share fake news, as it undermines the exams’ integrity and adds stress to the class of 2024:  

# Cricket: Bangladesh has to score another 101 runs to make South Africa bat again in the first Test in Mirpur. The hosts progressed to 101 for three at stumps on day two after the visitors posted a first innings lead of 202 runs, mainly thanks to a brilliant century by Kyle Verreyne. In Bangladesh’s second innings, Kagiso Rabada struck twice in his first over, leaving them reeling on four for two, but they were rescued by a 55-run third-wicket stand by Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Najmul Hossain Shanto.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-53-cents and the euro at 18-rand-95-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-74-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-405-dollars-23-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-737-dollars-29-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-35-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….