News 08:00

BULLETIN 10th October 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The government is committed to the promotion of value-added trade
# The Special Investigation Unit wants to recover 900-million-rand from its Tembisa Hospital case
# And Mixed Martial Arts: Billy Oosthuizen is the new EFC Interim Featherweight champion

# The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition says recent developments in global trade, which include tariff hikes, have underscored the urgent need for South Africa to diversify its markets. The US imposed 30-percent reciprocal tariffs on South African exports in August. The department’s deputy minister, Zuko Godlimpi, says increasing trade with Africa, utilising international trade agreements, expanding value-added trade in goods and services, and addressing key challenges, such as access to finance, are imperative. He adds that the government is fostering collaboration between business and labour to sustain export-led growth.

# Suspended Police minister Senzo Mchunu’s Chief of Staff, Cedric Nkabinde, has dismissed KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s claims about his qualifications as malicious. Nkabinde says Mkhwanazi has a personal vendetta, attempting to tarnish his name. He insists he holds a B.Tech degree in policing, years of investigative and managerial experience, and has met all Human Resources and Department of Public Service and Administration requirements for his appointment as Chief of Staff:

# The Special Investigating Unit head, advocate Andy Mothibi, says they plan to recover around 900-million-rand from the syndicate involved in syphoning off billions from the Tembisa Hospital through fraudulent procurement schemes. Luxury cars were among the items seized from a mansion in Sandton linked to Tembisa Hospital tender mogul, Hangwani Maumela, during a raid yesterday. He allegedly used 41 companies to extract 820-million-rand over two years through fraudulent contracts. Mothibi says a raid was also conducted at a car dealership in Mpumalanga:

# The Israeli government has approved the first phase of the 20-point Gaza peace plan that will lead to the release of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas. With the approval, a ceasefire now comes into immediate effect. The agreement also includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and humanitarian aid entering Gaza will increase to up to 600 trucks a day. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says this is a momentous development:

# Mixed Martial Arts: South Africa’s Billy Oosthuizen was crowned the new EFC Interim Featherweight champion at the WSB EFC Arena in Johannesburg. The highly anticipated main event between Oosthuizen and Zambian Ken Sekeletu ended in controversy when Sekeletu was disqualified in Round 3 for repeated illegal strikes. Sekeletu had won the featherweight title against Roedie Roets in March. Oosthuizen, who is a seasoned veteran with 15 fights inside the EFC cage, will next face either Boyd Allen or Vince Bembe.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-20-cents and the euro at 19-rand-90-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-89-cents and Bitcoin trades at 121-thousand-405-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-973-dollars-2-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-89-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….