News 13:00

BULLETIN 9 November 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Mbalula calls for military intervention in the crackdown on spaza shops selling expired food
# Mdluli appeals Legal Aid’s decision denying him legal assistance
# And, tennis: Sinner is the ATP Finals favourite after a brilliant and controversial year

# ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has urged the SA National Defence Force to support the police in shutting down spaza shops selling expired food. The recent food poisoning incidents have affected hundreds of learners in various provinces leading to some recorded deaths. In addition, Gauteng schools have halted all food sales near premises. Mbalula stressed swift government action to protect public health:

# The former head of Police Crime Intelligence Richard Mdluli has appealed Legal Aid South Africa’s decision to deny him legal assistance in his ongoing corruption case. The Pretoria High Court also dismissed his application for SAPS to cover his legal fees, ordering him to pay costs. NPA’s Henry Mamothame says Mdluli faces serious charges related to a secret police slush fund from 2008 to 2012:

# Eskom says that load-shedding has been paused for 226 days equivalent to seven-months since March, due to Eskom’s Generation Recovery Plan. The power utility says that with coal fleet improvements and reduced outages, Eskom saved 14.6-billion-rand in diesel year-on-year. Eskom anticipates more savings and sustained electricity supply, foreseeing a load-shedding-free summer due to strengthened infrastructure and maintenance efforts.

# The South African National AIDS Council Trustees have expressed disappointment with the South African Local Government Association’s response to the draft Multisectoral Policy Framework for HIV, TB, and STIs. Spokesperson Nelson Dlamini has criticise SALGA’s detached attitude, emphasising the urgent need for accountability and resource mobilisation to combat the nation’s high HIV and TB rates effectively:

# And, tennis: Italian Jannik Sinner is hoping to end an eventful season in the perfect fashion in Turin with a first ATP Finals title. His sensational season includes his first two Grand Slam triumphs in Australia and the USA respectively. Sinner is the first-ever Italian to top the men’s world rankings. However, earlier this year he tested positive twice for traces of the steroid clostebol. He was initially cleared, but now awaits the outcome of an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency seeking a ban of up to two years.

Stay tuned for more news………….