News 14:00

BULLETIN 9 October 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ramaphosa urges the World Trade Organisation to regulate tariffs to halt the weaponisation of global trade
# The DA meets AfriForum’s Gerrie Nel to discuss corruption busting measures for Tshwane
# And rugby: Four Boks are included in the Sharks’ squad for the clash against Leinster

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the World Trade Organisation to regulate trading tariffs and enhance multilateral trade systems to prevent their weaponisation. Speaking at the European Union Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, Belgium, he emphasised that the organisation remains the only body capable of managing global trade divergences. Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to working with the EU to promote better trade relations:

# Eastern Cape police say the situation at the University of Fort Hare’s campus in Alice remains tense due to ongoing student protests. Police spokesperson Siphokazi Mawisa says eight students were arrested for public violence and business burglary on Tuesday. They appeared before the local Magistrate’s Court yesterday and the case was postponed to next month. Mawisa says no arrests had been made so far for malicious damage to property or arson:

# The DA in Tshwane is meeting with the head of AfriForum’s private prosecution unit, advocate Gerrie Nel, today. The DA’s Cilliers Brink says the party wants to discuss cases such as the irregular tender awarded for the upgrade of the Rooiwal waste water treatment plant awarded to the outfit of ANC benefactor Edwin Sodi, Blackhead Consulting. Brink says the DA will soon announce a set of pledges, including policy measures, which they will deliver in the city:

# Rugby: Four Springboks – Makazole Mapimpi, Ethan Hooker, Vincent Koch and Bongi Mbonambi – have been included in the Sharks’ squad for the United Rugby Championship clash against Leinster in Dublin on Saturday. Mapimpi and Hooker start, while Koch and Mbonambi are on the bench. Flyhalf Siya Masuku also makes a return on the bench. Jason Jenkins comes in for Deon Slabbert in the second row. The Sharks’ overseas tour saw them lose against Glasgow and draw with the Dragons.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-10-cents and the euro at 19-rand-87-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-87-cents and Bitcoin trades at 121-thousand-804-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-38-dollars-54-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-66-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Cape Town has been nominated among the world’s best cities in the Travel plus Leisure India and South Asia Best Awards 2025, under the International Destinations, Best City category. Themed Art of Discovery, the awards celebrate places that inspire exploration and connection. Cape Town Tourism’s Briony Brookes says the nomination reaffirms the Mother City’s unmatched global appeal, while urging Capetonians to vote and help secure the top spot:

Stay tuned for more news………….