News 11:00

BULLETIN 10th October 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# An economist says the ANC’s economic plan could be hampered by corruption
# Four new cases of foot-and-mouth disease have been recorded in the Free State
# And soccer: Bafana Bafana’s captain says they know what is at stake in the World Cup qualifiers

# Economist Frederick Mitchell says South Africa faces significant economic challenges that threaten the nation’s stability and future prosperity. The ANC revealed its Economic Action Plan this week, which includes expanding electricity infrastructure, restoring the chrome and manganese industries, driving local economic development, and scaling up public employment and skills programmes. Mitchell says persistent governance issues, corruption, policy inconsistency, and infrastructure neglect may hamper these initiatives. He adds the trajectory toward economic renewal involves both strong government-led efforts and essential market-driven reforms.

# Government says it has noted the ongoing operations by law enforcement agencies and the subsequent public interest they have generated. Members of the National Intervention Unit, Special Task Force, and Crime Intelligence, raided the homes of suspended deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya and chief of staff to on-leave Police minister Senzo Mchunu, Cedrick Nkabinde, yesterday. Spokesperson William Baloyi says these operations fall within the normal scope of the law enforcement agencies’ mandate to investigate matters and recover assets:

# The Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has confirmed four new cases of foot-and-mouth disease in Viljoenskroon and Edenville. This brings the number of confirmed cases in the province to 42. To date, seven distinct outbreak areas have been identified across five municipalities. The department’s Moliehi Moeng says they have prioritised vaccination of the infected farms, and movement restrictions have been implemented on all farms within a ten-kilometre radius:

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile has wrapped up a successful two-day working visit to South Sudan, aimed at reviewing progress on the 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement. Mashatile met president Salva Kiir, vice president Benjamin Boi Mel, and other stakeholders, who reaffirmed their commitment to peace and credible 2026 elections. He also visited vice president Mama Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior, who urged South Africa to stay engaged in South Sudan’s peace and development process.

# Soccer: Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams says qualifying for the World Cup is still in their hands, as they head into this evening’s crucial Group C qualifier against Zimbabwe in Durban. South Africa topped the group with 17 points before receiving a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho in March. They now sit level with Benin on 14 points and behind on goal difference. Their final qualifier is against Rwanda next Tuesday. Williams says they know what is at stake:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-23-cents and the euro at 19-rand-93-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-90-cents and Bitcoin trades at 121-thousand-313-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-956-dollars-54-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-52-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….