News 09:00

BULLETIN 20 October 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# AfriForum criticises the Defence Force for a lack of transparency over their DRC deployment
# Donald Trump says the US is halting financial aid to Colombia
# And cricket: England joins South Africa and Australia in the Women’s World Cup semifinals

# AfriForum has expressed concern at the South African National Defence Force’s lack of transparency regarding the deployment of soldiers to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In February this year, the organisation submitted a request to the SANDF, seeking documents that justify the deployment to the DRC, details of costs and funding, and the reasons troops were sent to a specific region. AfriForum’s Jacques Broodryk says to date, the SANDF has provided no feedback:

# DA leader John Steenhuisen will unveil proposed reforms to the Black Economic Empowerment and Employment Equity, and the Expropriation Acts today. The party argues these laws have entrenched elite enrichment and blocked small businesses. The DA’s six-point plan focuses on need-based policies, job creation, and supporting small enterprises rather than race-based targets. The announcement follows the party’s May 2025 court challenge to the Expropriation Act and reflects its ongoing push for inclusive economic reforms within the Government of National Unity.

# Saftu says it welcomes Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi’s declaration that those implicated in the plundering of public resources at Tembisa Hospital, whether living or deceased, must face justice. A Special Investigating Unit probe uncovered three coordinated syndicates behind the looting of two-billion-rand from the hospital. Saftu’s spokesperson, Newton Masuku, says Motsoaledi’s pledge that the state will pursue the estate of the late CEO, doctor Ashley Mthunzi, to recover stolen public funds is an important step toward justice:

# US president Donald Trump has escalated tensions with Colombia, announcing that America is ending all payments and subsidies to the South American country. The US has provided millions of dollars in assistance to Colombia, especially for security and agriculture. In a post on Truth Social, Trump labelled Colombia’s president Gustavo Petro an illegal drug leader who strongly encourages the massive production of drugs. His comments come after Petro had accused Trump’s government of assassination and demanded answers after the latest US strikes in Caribbean waters.

# Cricket: England defeated co-hosts India by four runs in Indore, to become the third nation to clinch a place in the Women’s World Cup semifinals. After winning the toss and opting to bat first, England posted 288 for eight, with Heather Knight scoring 109 from 91 balls, in her 300th international appearance. In reply, opener Smriti Mandhana scored 88, but that was not enough as India finished on 284 for six, their third consecutive defeat in the tournament. England joins South Africa and Australia in the semifinals.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-33-cents and the euro at 20-rand-23-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-29-cents and Bitcoin trades at 110-thousand-75-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-263-dollars-40-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 60-dollars-88-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….