News 09:00

BULLETIN 6 October 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The UDM is concerned about the financial mismanagement at the SA Post Office
# Over 200 hikers are stranded by a blizzard on Mount Everest
# And tennis: Sinner retires injured while Djokovic battles through to the last 16 in Shanghai

# The United Democratic Movement says the collapse of the South African Post Office is not the result of underfunding, but of deep-seated mismanagement and lack of strategic direction. Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke has made damning findings against SAPO, obtaining yet another disclaimer of audit opinion for the sixth year during the 2024/2025 financial year. UDM’s deputy president, Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, says the Auditor General painted a disturbing picture of an institution crippled by irregular expenditure, poor governance, and breakdown of accountability:

# The Department of Social Development has launched the Parenting Policy Benchmarking Report, highlighting the critical role of family members in sustaining the family unit through challenges. October is Social Development Month in South Africa, with this year’s theme being, Building families through sustainable livelihoods. The department’s acting spokesperson, Sandy Godlwana, says families are the cornerstone of society, providing the first line of support for children, older persons, and vulnerable groups:

# The DA is calling on Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya to release the metro’s findings on deputy mayor and mayoral committee member of Finance, Eugene Modise’s alleged unlawful conduct. The Sunday Times reports that an internal investigation by Tshwane has found that Modise may have failed to disclose and divest his interest in a company that provides watchman services to the metro. The DA’s Cilliers Brink says they first raised concerns about Modise’s links to Triotic in February this year:

# Around 350 hikers, who were stranded by a blizzard on the Tibetan slopes of Mount Everest, have been guided to safety. This comes after heavy snowfall and rain pummelled the Himalayas over the weekend. Officials say around 200 hikers, who remain stranded close to the eastern Kangshung face of Everest, are in contact with rescuers and are due to arrive in the small township of Qudang in stages. Meanwhile, in neighbouring Nepal, at least 47 people have died since Friday after heavy rains triggered landslides and floods

# Tennis: Defending champion Jannik Sinner was forced to retire in the third round of the Shanghai Masters due to a leg injury. The Italian started experiencing pain in the third set, before deciding not to continue, trailing 7-6, 5-7, 2-3 to the Netherlands’ Tallon Griekspoor. Last year’s runner-up, Novak Djokovic of Serbia, battled past German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, to reach the last 16. Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard upset world number four Taylor Fritz of the US, 6-4, 7-5, to seal the biggest win of his career.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-23-cents and the euro at 20-rand-20-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-17-cents and Bitcoin trades at 124-thousand-25-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-933-dollars-37-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-38-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….