News 18:00

BULLETIN 6 October 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Fikile Mbalula fights back as AfriForum threatens private prosecution over a trip to Dubai in 2016
# Kenny Kunene is sworn in again as Johannesburg’s mayoral committee member for Transport
# And over 12-thousand BMW vehicles are recalled over starter motor risk

# ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula insists he acted lawfully during his family trip to Dubai in 2016, dismissing AfriForum’s threat to prosecute if the National Prosecuting Authority fails to act. AfriForum’s Barry Bateman calls the NPA’s decision in 2023 not to prosecute irrational and demands accountability. Mbalula condemns the group’s attempts to resuscitate the matter, calling their media leaks sensational and politically motivated. He emphasises his rights are protected and criticizes AfriForum’s actions as undermining democratic institutions and pursuing a vindictive agenda.

# ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa says the national executive committee has resolved to establish an economic war room in the Presidency to coordinate government performance and publish regular progress scorecards. The war room will hold government departments accountable and expedite policies tackling unemployment, poverty, and high living costs. In his closing remarks of the special NEC meeting in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, Ramaphosa said professionalisation and merit-based appointments will be non-negotiable to ensure effective delivery and accountability:

# Patriotic Alliance deputy president, Kenny Kunene, has been sworn in for the second time as Johannesburg’s mayoral committee member for Transport. Kunene resigned from the position in July after he was found at the home of murder-accused Katiso “KT” Molefe, sparking controversy. The portfolio remained vacant for months amid coalition disputes. Mayor Dada Morero confirmed Kunene’s appointment last week after internal party shifts and coalition negotiations.

# The National Consumer Commission has issued a notice to owners of BMW 3, 4, 5 Series, Z4, X3, and X4 models over a starter motor defect. Spokesperson Phetho Ntaba says 12-thousand-491 vehicles sold in South Africa since 2016 may cause engine-start failures. She urges owners to visit authorised dealerships to replace the starter motor immediately as the commission continues to monitor the situation:

# Soccer: Spain confirmed Manchester City midfielder Rodri Hernandez will not be joining them for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers, after suffering a hamstring injury. This comes ahead of games against Georgia and Bulgaria on 11 and 14 October respectively. The 29-year-old was taken off in the 21st minute of City’s Premier League victory over Brentford yesterday, confirming after the game he had felt discomfort in his hamstring. Spain did not say whether they would be calling up another player in place of the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-23-cents and the euro at 20-rand-15-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-20-cents and Bitcoin trades at 124-thousand-917-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-945-dollars-36-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-24-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….