News 06:00

BULLETIN 1 November 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Paul Mashatile says the government of national unity will continue with economic reform
# The Jacob Zuma Foundation confirms Zuma’s appeal on his expulsion from the ANC
# And the Correctional Services Department rubbishes claims by Louis Liebenberg

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile says the government has implemented several steps to stimulate foreign investment including simple tax rules, and a competitive regulatory framework. He answered questions in the National Assembly yesterday on a range of issues including the economy, the water crisis, and challenges in municipalities. Mashatile says the government of national unity intends to continue with fundamental economic reform and improve the business operating environment:

# The Jacob Zuma Foundation has confirmed that the ANC will hear former president Jacob Zuma’s virtual appeal against his expulsion today. Expelled in July for supporting the MK Party over the ANC, Zuma’s breach of the ANC constitution includes publicly endorsing the MKP and rejecting ANC campaigning. The foundation’s spokesperson, Mzwanele Manyi, confirmed Zuma’s request for a physical hearing.

# The Department of Correctional Services has rubbished claims made by diamond dealer Louis Liebenberg. He claims he was violated at the Kgosi Mampuru Prison on the instruction of minister Pieter Groenewald. Liebenberg and his eight co-accused, including his wife Dezzi, appeared in the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court, on charges including fraud, and money laundering. The charges relate to a four-billion-rand diamond investment scheme where thousands of people were conned out of their money. Seven have been granted bail while Liebenberg and his wife’s bail hearing will be on the 15th of November.

# The Gauteng Health Department has denied claims that patients are being turned away from the urology department at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital due to bed shortages. According to the department, only elective surgeries are occasionally postponed in order to prioritise emergency cases. The department’s Motalatale Modiba clarified that the hospital’s specialised urology unit, which serves patients from several provinces, manages admissions based on medical priority: 

# Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told visiting US envoy Amos Hochstein and US Middle East adviser Brett McGurk that any ceasefire deal with Lebanon’s Hezbollah would have to guarantee Israeli security. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant met the envoys separately yesterday for a discussion which he said in a statement focused on security arrangements as these relate to the northern area and Lebanon, and efforts to ensure the return of 101 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza.

# Rugby: The All Blacks will face England with their strongest possible team in London tomorrow. Head coach Scott Robertson recalled several senior players after last weekend’s Test against Japan in Yokohama, with only four players being retained in the starting team. The Kiwis defeated the English twice at home in July, but Robertson says four months is a long time in rugby. He says Twickenham is an iconic place to play and the roar of the crowd is like few others.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-58-cents and the euro at 19-rand-15-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-69-cents and Bitcoin trades at 70-thousand-494-dollar-40-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-746-dollars-36-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-9-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….