News 14:00

BULLETIN 28 October 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Four men arrested for illegal chemical sales linked to food poisoning are released
# The sugar value chain partners calls for a moratorium on sugar tax to enable economic growth
# And cricket: Gary Kirsten steps down as Pakistan’s limited-overs coach

# Four men arrested for selling an illegal chemical at Jabulani Mall and Johannesburg Central have been released after paying two-thousand-rand admission of guilt fines. This follows Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi’s confirmation that an organophosphate chemical, Terbufos, caused the deaths of six learners in Naledi, Soweto, earlier this month. Gauteng police commissioner Tommy Mthombeni confirmed that the men would not face court proceedings:

# Trade, Industry and Competition minister Parks Tau, and Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen are calling on Finance minister Enoch Godongwana to honour the commitment made publicly in his 2023 budget, announcing adjustments to the health promotion levy. Both ministers represent a range of South African industry associations that stretch across the whole sugar value chain. The levy was implemented in April 2018. There has since been no evidence that the tax has led to meaningful health outcomes such as reduced diabetes or obesity, or a healthier population.

# The Supreme Court of Appeal president Justice Mahube Molemela has reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to media freedom at the South African National Editors Forum annual fundraiser gala dinner. Molemela emphasised the judiciary’s role as a crucial defender of the media and warned against cyber-attacks, highlighting their threat to democracy. She highlighted that despite constitutional protections, both sectors face challenges from misinformation on digital platforms, urging reliance on constitutional recourse:

# Minister in the Presidency, Maropene Ramokgopa, will head a South African delegation to China from today to Friday. Spokesperson Litha Mpondwana says the visit aims to engage with state-owned assets institutions, promoting good governance practices. He says it supports the National State Enterprises Bill and focuses on state-owned enterprises reform by drawing from China’s experiences:

# Cricket: Former Proteas player and coach Gary Kirsten has stepped down from his role as Pakistan’s limited-overs head coach. He was appointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board on a two-year deal in April. Kirsten’s major assignment was the men’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA, where Pakistan suffered an early exit with losses against India and America. Test coach Jason Gillespie will take over Kirsten’s role for the tour of Australia, which begins next Monday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-65-cents and the euro at 19-rand-9-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-91-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-548-dollars-5-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-728-dollars-63-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-91-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….