News 08:00

BULLETIN 2 October 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Ramokgopa says the government is focused on lowering electricity costs
# The FF Plus says the delay in Malema’s sentencing is disappointing
# And the Israeli military intercepts several Gaza-bound aid ships

# Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says government is focused on lowering electricity costs, as high prices gradually erode household incomes. The cost of electricity from 2007 to 2024 has increased by 937-percent. The National Energy Regulator of South Africa recently came under fire after admitting to a 54-billion-rand mistake in Eskom’s tariff determination for the current and following two financial years, which will be recovered from electricity users. Ramokgopa told the SABC that high electricity prices also push businesses toward uncompetitiveness:

# The Freedom Front Plus says EFF leader Julius Malema’s conviction is welcomed, but the delay in sentencing, until 23 January 2026, is disappointing, as justice should be served swiftly. The East London Magistrate’s Court found Malema guilty on all five counts in his firearm trial, while his co-accused, former bodyguard Adriaan Snyman, was acquitted. Malema was convicted in the 2018 firearms case after video evidence showed him discharging a rifle during an EFF birthday rally in Mdantsane. The FF Plus says the ruling confirms that no one is above the law. 

# Lawyers for Human Rights says the national inquiry into artisanal mining and police operations is a crucial step towards accountability. The inquiry was launched by the South African Human Rights Commission in Stilfontein in North West yesterday. The organisation’s Jessica Lawrence says the process will help uncover the human rights violations linked to Operation Vala Umgodi, which left 87 people dead and over 280 traumatised:

# The Israeli military has intercepted and boarded about 20 Gaza-bound aid ships that form part of the Global Sumud Flotilla. Activists aboard were detained, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Mandla Mandela, and actress Susan Sarandon. Israel’s Foreign Ministry says the navy had told the vessels to change course as they were approaching an active combat zone. It says all those aboard the vessel were being transferred to an Israeli port. The Global Sumud Flotilla has described the interception as illegal.

# Cricket: Australia began the defence of their Women’s World Cup title with a commanding 89-run win over New Zealand at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. All-rounder Ashleigh Gardner scored 115 of 83 balls, her second ODI ton, as Australia posted 326. In reply, captain Sophie Devine’s 112 was not enough as New Zealand were bowled out for 237, with Sophie Molineux and Annabel Sutherland taking three wickets each. Today, Bangladesh takes on Pakistan in Colombo.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-20-cents and the euro at 20-rand-19-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-18-cents and Bitcoin trades at 119-thousand-74-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-869-dollars-6-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-55-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….