News 11:00

BULLETIN 26 October 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A call on president Ramaphosa to remove the police officers implicated at the Madlanga Commission
# Tax Justice SA calls for action against illicit alcohol trading
# And cricket: The Proteas are now set to face England in the World Cup semi-finals

# The Activists and Citizens Forum is calling on president Cyril Ramaphosa and acting Police minister Feroz Chachalia to immediately remove all implicated police officers at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into political interference with the justice system. Forum spokesperson, Dennis Bloem, says the explosive testimony of witnesses A, B, and C at the Madlanga Commission must not be taken lightly. He says the witnesses have made very serious allegations against senior police officers and produced evidence:

# The South African Federation of Trade Unions says it is demanding an immediate tariff relief and a fundamental restructuring of South Africa’s utility pricing system. The federation says over the last 15 years, tariffs have risen by over 500-percent, while wages have stagnated and unemployment has soared to 43-percent. SAFTU’s spokesperson, Asive Dyani says millions of households already choose between food and electricity, while municipalities pile on further surcharges:

Meanwhile, SAFTU has strongly condemned Eskom’s announcement that it plans to install half a million smart meters by March 2026, despite only having 278-thousand in stock. Dyani, says this plan is yet another anti-poor, revenue-driven policy that exposes Eskom’s growing obsession with collection over service, punishment over solidarity, and profits over people:

# Tax Justice South Africa warns South Africa risks repeating the devastating mistakes made with cigarettes unless urgent action is taken to stop the country’s booming illicit alcohol trade. Speaking before Parliament’s Health Portfolio Committee during the past week, Tax Justice founder, Yusuf Abramjee, said an all-out war was needed against the illegal tobacco trade in the country. He says the same criminal networks are now tightening their grip on the alcohol market:

# Sports news:

# Cricket: The Proteas Women suffered a crushing seven-wicket defeat to Australia in their final World Cup league match in Indore, India. Leg-spinner Alana King delivered a sensational, record-breaking spell of 7/18, decimating the Proteas for a mere 97. Despite Laura Wolvaardt’s early aggression, the middle-order collapsed. Australia comfortably chased the target in just 16.5 overs. Both teams, however, proceed to the semi-finals, with South Africa set to face England on Wednesday. Australia will take on the hosts, India, on Thursday.

# And motorsport: McLaren’s Lando Norris took a stunning pole position for today’s Mexico City Grand Prix, with championship leader Oscar Piastri only qualifying eighth. Norris beat Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by 0.252 seconds as he delivered under pressure in a dramatic climax to the qualifying rounds. He will have a huge opportunity to make big inroads into his 14-point deficit to his team-mate Piastri in the title race. Mercedes’ George Russell qualified fourth while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who is 40 points behind Piastri in the Drivers’ Championship, struggled throughout the session, in fifth.

Stay tuned for more news………….