News 16:00

BULLETIN 24th October 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Bheki Cele warns South Africa is under siege from drug influx
# Three municipalities support Nersa in AfriForum’s tariff court battle
# And motorsport: Hamilton says Piastri and Norris need to be as ruthless as Verstappen in the championship fight

# Former Police minister Bheki Cele says South Africa is under siege from a growing influx of drugs, blaming porous borders and a shortage of scanners. Cele says the country has become both a transit hub and a lucrative market for drug syndicates, with poor youth being the main victims. He called for stronger law enforcement, tougher courts, and a united societal approach to tackle the drug crisis:

# Aluma economist Frederick Mitchell says South Africa’s future depends on decisive action rooted in economic freedom, property rights, and limited government intervention. Rating agency Moody’s has warned that the current initiatives are insufficient to propel the country towards the government’s ambitious target of 3.5-percent annual growth by 2030. Mitchell says unlocking the country’s 1.8-trillion-rand in business cash reserves, reforming the regulatory framework, and expanding trade opportunities are not mere suggestions; they are necessities.

# South Africa’s boat-building industry has been called to urgently grow local skills and attract international component manufacturers. Ullman Sails International CEO, Michael England, told the African Boating Conference in Cape Town reliance on costly imports from the US, European Union, and China threatens sustainability. He called for a proper training facility to equip young people for marine manufacturing. Two Oceans Marine’s Nicole van de Wall echoed concerns, citing high staff turnover and limited expertise as barriers to industry growth.

# AfriForum has confirmed that the City of Cape Town, Johannesburg Metro, and Mogale City Municipality have joined its North Gauteng High Court case against Nersa. The municipalities support Nersa against AfriForum. The civil rights group challenges the regulator’s approval of municipal electricity tariffs without proper cost-of-supply studies or sufficient public participation. Nersa admits its process allowed inadequate public engagement. AfriForum’s Deidré Steffens seeks transparent submission and decision timelines for future tariff applications:

# Motorsport: Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton says McLaren rivals Oscar Piastri from Australia and Briton Lando Norris will need to be cut-throat against Max Verstappen in their three-way fight for the drivers’ championship. Piastri and Norris are separated by just 14 points, while Verstappen is now just 40 points off the lead after three victories and a second-place in the last four races. Hamilton says the Dutchman will take the championship if Piastri and Norris are not ruthless:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-32-cents and the euro at 20-rand-11-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-4-cents and Bitcoin trades at 111-thousand-66-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-62-dollars-64-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-64-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….