News 07:00

BULLETIN 23 October 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa is aiming to strengthen bilateral relations with Vietnam
# The DA says the ruling on Zuma’s legal fees is a victory for the taxpayer
# And, the FF Plus welcomes the disbanding of the Gauteng crime prevention wardens

# President Cyril Ramaphosa is in Hanoi, Vietnam, today and tomorrow, as part of his three-nation visit to Southeast Asia. The Presidency says Ramaphosa’s state visit to Vietnam reflects the deepening ties between the leaders of South Africa and Vietnam, underpinned by mutual respect and growing cooperation. It says the visit coincides with several significant developments in Vietnam’s political landscape, including a generational transition in leadership, the conclusion of key domestic planning, and the country’s increasing prominence in regional and global economic affairs. 

# The DA says the ruling against Jacob Zuma on his state-funded legal fees is a victory for South Africa and the protection of taxpayer money. The High Court in Pretoria ordered the former president to repay 28.9-million-rand in legal fees that were unlawfully funded by the State. Zuma now has 60 days to settle the debt. The DA’s Willie Aucamp, says the public must be kept informed on the progress of the recovery of the funds:

# The Department of Public Service and Administration and its entities have been urged to intensify efforts to build a professional, ethical, and accountable public service. Parliament’s portfolio committee on Public Service and Administration has adopted the Budgetary Review and Recommendations Reports for 2024/2025. In the report, the committee stated that despite the significant policy and legislative reforms introduced in recent years, unethical conduct and corruption continue to weaken public confidence in state institutions. The committee says professionalising the public service is a central pillar of building an ethical state. 

# The Freedom Front Plus says Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi’s Amapanyaza project was doomed to fail from the start. The party welcomes the provincial government’s decision to disband the crime prevention wardens, calling it an admission that the initiative was illegal and ineffective. The FF Plus’s Jaco Mulder says the programme cost taxpayers millions while performing duties meant for the police, violating the separation of powers:

# The International Court of Justice says Israel has an obligation to ensure the basic needs of civilians in Gaza are met. In an advisory opinion, the top court stated that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees has not violated impartiality rules, and that Israel must support the agency’s relief work. Delivering the non-binding opinion on Wednesday, Judge Iwasawa Yuji said Israel cannot use starvation as a method of warfare:

# Motorsport: Nine full-time drivers will sit out the first practice for the weekend’s Formula One Grand Prix in Mexico City as part of the commitment to give debutants at least two practice sessions per season. The drivers include reigning world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull, McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton. Championship leader, Australian Oscar Piastri, will practice for McLaren, though, which means he will almost certainly miss the first practice for the season’s final race in Abu Dhabi in December.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-42-cents and the euro at 20-rand-21-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-24-cents and Bitcoin trades at 108-thousand-195-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-90-dollars-49-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-51-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….