News 13:00

BULLETIN 24 November 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Over 100,000 meter updates to be done in Tshwane before today’s deadline
# The ATM welcomes spaza shop registration and closure to boost township economy
# And, motorsport: Verstappen wins his fourth consecutive Formula One world title

# Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya has raised concerns as over 100-thousand prepaid electricity meters remain unconverted to the Token Identifier system. With today’s deadline looming, Moya warns failure to update will block token loading. Residents must complete manual updates to ensure power continuity and can seek assistance at metro customer care centres. She reiterated Eskom’s stance of no deadline extensions:

# The African Transformation Movement has called for the immediate closure of illegally run spaza shops amid rising food-borne illnesses. ATM national spokesperson Zama Ntoshana says the registration of spaza shops is a step towards revitalising township economies by empowering South African citizens to run spaza shops with regulated supply chains. Ntoshana emphasised the party’s opposition to foreign national ownership of these shops, demanding strict enforcement and prosecution for violations:

# The Financial Sector Conduct Authority has identified two-thousand-330 employers failing to pay pension fund contributions, impacting 31-thousand members. Reports show seven-thousand-770 employers owe 5.2-billion-rand, primarily in industries including security, construction, and manufacturing. The authority warns that withholding these funds, deducted from salaries, is a serious offence, possibly constituting theft or fraud. It calls for stricter measures, including the upcoming Conduct of Financial Institutions Bill, to hold employers accountable and safeguard workers’ retirement savings.

# A man in his sixties has had his leg amputated after becoming wedged between rocks while kayaking in Tasmania. The tourist, who had been kayaking with friends on the Australian island, was partially submerged in the Franklin River when he became stuck on Friday. Several attempts to successfully free him were made during the afternoon and overnight. After a medical assessment the decision was made to amputate his leg in order to save his life. The rescue operation lasted more than 20 hours. The man was airlifted to hospital where remains in a critical condition.

# And, motorsport: Max Verstappen claimed a fourth consecutive Formula One world title under the lights of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The 27-year-old Dutchman came home in fifth place in a race won by George Russell of Mercedes and became just the sixth man ever to claim four championships. McLaren’s Lando Norris, who was Verstappen’s only title rival, finished in sixth place. Russell was more than seven seconds ahead of seven-time champion and Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton. The Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were in third and fourth places respectively.

Stay tuned for more news………….