News 07:00

BULLETIN 26 September 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Lamola emphasises the importance of rebuilding trust in multilateralism
# Minister Ramokgopa says the government will review the Free Basic Electricity Framework
# And rugby: Pablo Matera returns as Argentina make three changes for the Bok clash

# International Relations and Cooperation minister Ronald Lamola has called on G20 nations to strengthen cooperation and rebuild trust in multilateralism. He addressed the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting at the United Nations in New York on Thursday. South Africa’s Presidency of the G20 is centred on the theme of Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability. Lamola says investment in peace and collaboration is are crucial necessity for growth, stability, and sustainable development:

Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres says there is a need for financial justice, which means an overhaul of the international financial architecture, to make it fairer and fit for today’s realities. Guterres says when borrowing costs fall and fiscal space widens, governments can invest in development and resilience, and prevent crises:

# The Constitutional Court has heard that how consent is defined in rape cases in South Africa makes proving rape cases difficult. The Embrace Project’s legal representative Nasreen Rajab-Budlender argued the Sexual Offences Act shields perpetrators by allowing them to rely on a subjective belief in consent. She said this approach, rooted in rape myths, perversely increases acquittals for men with regressive views on consent:

# Minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, says government will review the Free Basic Electricity Framework to ensure that those who qualify for free basic electricity are subsidised correctly. There are about 2.1 million customers on the Eskom side that qualify for free basic electricity, but only 485-thousand customers are getting the free basic electricity. Ramokgopa says once they have rolled out smart meters, the government will be able to frontload the allocation for free basic electricity for a household that qualifies.

# Rugby: Argentina have made three changes to their line-up to take on South Africa in their penultimate Rugby Championship fixture in Durban on Saturday. Former captain Pablo Matera makes a return to the starting lineup at flank, after starting on the bench in their fourth round victory against Australia in Sydney. Franco Molina and Lucas Paulos come into the second row. Coach Felipe Contepomi has opted for a 6-2 split bench, with Simon Benitez Cruz and Tomas Albornoz being the replacement backs.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-45-cents and the euro at 20-rand-37-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-29-cents and Bitcoin trades at 109-thousand-717-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-740-dollars-77-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-65-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The South African Police Service will host its annual National Prayer Day in Soweto today as part of Police Safety Month. The event seeks to honour fallen officers, pray for the safety and courage of serving members, and provide reassurance of management’s support. Faith leaders, community representatives and police officials will join in prayer, sermons, and candlelighting ceremonies. The initiative will be observed across all nine provinces.

Stay tuned for more news………….