News 11:00

BULLETIN 16 October 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The state bids to recoup over 28-million-rand in legal fees from Zuma
# A second missing aircraft in KwaZulu-Natal has been found 
# And Trump says Indian prime minister Modi has agreed to stop buying Russian oil

# The High Court in Pretoria is today hearing an application by the Presidency and the state attorney to recoup over 28-million-rand in legal fees from former president Jacob Zuma in his personal capacity. In 2021, the Supreme Court of Appeal confirmed that Zuma was not entitled to continue receiving state funding to cover his corruption trial. Last year, the state launched litigation to recover the money. Zuma says he will not be able to pay the money, even if his presidential pension were forfeited to the state.

# Parliament’s portfolio committee on Police has lashed out at police management, accusing them of blatant disrespect. This follows after acting Police minister Firoz Kachalia and national police commissioner Fannie Masemola failed to attend a crucial meeting. Several members of Parliament suggested future subpoenas to compel attendance and accountability from police leadership. Committee chairperson Ian Cameron says members are tired of being disregarded while SAPS faces deep internal crises:

# The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and Human Settlements has confirmed that a second missing aircraft has been found following a search south of Boston this morning. The pilot suffered fatal injuries. The first aircraft was located yesterday, and the pilot was also found dead. The two planes went missing near Nottingham Road in the Midlands. The department’s spokesperson, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, says the Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division has launched an investigation:

Moving abroad:

# US president Donald Trump says Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has assured him his country will stop buying oil from Russia. Oil and gas are Russia’s biggest exports, and Moscow’s biggest customers include India, China, and Turkey. The Trump administration has imposed 50-percent tariffs on goods from India, levies that the American president has characterised as punishment against Delhi for buying Russian oil and weapons. Trump described Modi’s decision as a big step in efforts to isolate Moscow economically:

# Soccer: Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has named a squad of 25 players to face the Democratic Republic of Congo in a crucial 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier next week Wednesday. The return leg will be played in Johannesburg on October 28. Thembi Kgatlana, who last played for the national team in April, returns to the squad. Ellis has included seven overseas-based players. WAFCON will be held in Morocco for the second time in the space of two years.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-33-cents and the euro at 20-rand-19-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-24-cents and Bitcoin trades at 111-thousand-506-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-228-dollars-54-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-22-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….