News 08:00

BULLETIN 17 October 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The parliamentary ad hoc committee is granted an extension
# President Trump says he will meet with Putin in Hungary to discuss the war in Ukraine
# And rugby: Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour between the Springboks and All Blacks is confirmed

# The Parliamentary ad-hoc committee investigating allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, now has until November 28 to finalise its work. National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza granted the extension. The committee was initially given until the end of October to finalise its work. It is investigating allegations of criminality, political interference, and corruption in the criminal justice system. It has so far heard evidence from Mkhwanazi, National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, while Police minister Senzo Mchunu will continue his testimony today.

# Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi convened the inaugural meeting of the advisory panel for the selection of the National Director of Public Prosecutions yesterday. Appointed by president Cyril Ramaphosa, the panel is tasked with identifying and interviewing individuals worthy of consideration for the position. Advocate Shamila Batohi’s term of office ends in January next year. The ministry’s spokesperson, Terrence Manase, says the meeting marked a significant step towards ensuring capable, ethical, and independent leadership for the National Prosecuting Authority:

# The Gauteng Department of Education says it is concerned about the misleading story published by a national publication, titled “Hunger Stalks Gauteng Pupils”. The matter relates to one service provider operating under the National School Nutrition Programme in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni. The department’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona, says it became aware on Wednesday that one service provider refused to accept a newly allocated delivery schedule and consequently failed to deliver food to nine schools in Tembisa and Ivory Park:

# US president Donald Trump says he will meet with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Hungary for more talks on ending the war in Ukraine. This follows a phone call with Putin yesterday. The last time the two leaders met in person was in Alaska in August. Meanwhile, Trump will host Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House today. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says president Trump is committed to ending the Russia-Ukraine war:

# Rugby: Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour between South Africa and New Zealand has been officially confirmed. The alternating quadrennial tour will see the Springboks host the All Blacks in August and September next year. New Zealand is scheduled to play against the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls, and Lions, with a four-Test series against the Boks. Three Tests will be played in South Africa, with the fourth at a yet-to-be-named neutral venue. The Springboks will tour New Zealand in 2030 in a similar format.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-34-cents and the euro at 20-rand-31-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-32-cents and Bitcoin trades at 109-thousand-67-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-356-dollars-74-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 60-dollars-70-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….