News 15:00

BULLETIN 15 October 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Brown Mogotsi seeks an extension to respond to the Madlanga commission allegations
# Umalusi sets strict new rules for online and distance learning providers
# And rugby: Rassie Erasmus is expecting a spicy encounter against Japan on the end-of-year tour

# Controversial North West businessman, Brown Mogotsi has requested an extension from the Madlanga Commission to respond to allegations of corruption, political interference, and criminal links. The five-day deadline on his Rule 3 notice expires this week. According to SABC News, Mogotsi says he needs more time to consult his legal team, which will only be available on Friday. He also wishes to appear in person before the inquiry. Testimony from Crime Intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo linked Mogotsi to criminal networks, which he denies.

# Quality assurance body, Umalusi, has introduced strict new rules for online and distance learning providers offering the National Senior Certificate. The council says these non-negotiable requirements were developed with the Department of Basic Education, the Independent Examinations Board, and the South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute to ensure credibility and fairness of assessments. Umalusi CEO Mafu Rakometsi told the media online providers must adhere to the national curriculum and in-person writing of final examinations:

# Cosatu says the HIV prevention drug, lenacapavir, will be a game-changer for South Africa. This is a revolutionary long-acting injectable drug that offers six months of protection with just two annual doses. Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi has revealed they intend to roll out the drug as early as March next year. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks says South Africa has the largest number of people living with HIV and will be among the first African countries to receive the drug:

# The Israeli military says one of the bodies handed over by Hamas as part of an exchange for Palestinian prisoners was not a former hostage. After overnight forensic tests on four bodies returned yesterday, the Army said medical officials concluded that one does not match any of the hostages. Since Monday, under a ceasefire agreement brokered by US president Donald Trump, Hamas has handed back 20 surviving Israeli hostages and eight bodies – one Nepalese, six Israelis and a now unidentified eighth.

# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says the first match of their end-of-year tour against Eddie Jones’ Japan at Wembley in London on November first will be tough. South Africa will also face France in Paris, Italy in Turin, Ireland in Dublin and Wales in Cardiff next month after winning back-to-back Rugby Championship titles earlier this month. Erasmus says, given that they don’t play Japan often, he is expecting a spicy and enjoyable game at an iconic stadium:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-30-cents and the euro at 20-rand-12-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-12-cents and Bitcoin trades at 112-thousand-142-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-201-dollars-77-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-9-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….