News 06:00

BULLETIN 31 October 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Paul Mashatile says progress is being made to clean up the Police Service
# The Higher Education minister introduces rules to tighten the oversight of universities
# And, Israel receives the remains of what Hamas claims are two more deceased hostages

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile says the government is taking firm action to remove bad apples from the police force to restore public trust. Responding to questions in the National Assembly, Mashatile said cleaning up the police service is underway, with steps to strengthen oversight and ensure only dedicated officers remain in the force. He added that community policing forums must be strengthened, as communities often know those involved in crime but remain silent:

# Justice and Constitutional Development minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has welcomed the High Court in Pietermaritzburg’s decision to overturn the 1967 inquest ruling that declared Chief Albert Luthuli’s death accidental. The court found compelling evidence suggesting murder, not misadventure. Minister Kubayi’s spokesperson, Terrence Manase, says the outcome reflects South Africa’s continued commitment to uncovering historical truths and delivering justice for families affected by apartheid-era injustices:

# Higher Education and Training minister, Buti Manamela, has gazetted new draft reporting regulations for public comment. The new rules are designed to strengthen accountability, improve transparency, and enable earlier intervention in university governance. This comes amid recent protests at the University of Fort Hare and the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein. The draft also introduces ethics officers and requires disclosures on council members’ conflicts of interest, performance assessments, and executive pay. Manamela says this is not about curbing autonomy; it is about strengthening accountability.

# KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has challenged National Coloured Congress Member of Parliament, Fadiel Adams, to bring it on after Adams threatened to open a police case against him. Mkhwanazi says he’s unfazed and ready for any attempts to intimidate him over his testimony on police interference and corruption. He added the public can now see the challenges police face, urging transparency as more officers share their frustrations:

# Israel says it has received, via the Red Cross in Gaza, the remains of what Hamas claims are two more deceased hostages. The bodies are believed to Amiram Cooper and Sahar Baruch. If confirmed following identification, that would leave the bodies of eleven deceased hostages remaining in Gaza. The transfer of the remains comes just days after Israel carried out punishing strikes in Gaza, which killed over 100 Palestinians, in response to the Hamas killing of an Israeli soldier in Rafah.

# Rugby: Japan Rugby coach Eddie Jones says his team is ready to give their all when they face four-time world champions Springbok in London on Saturday. After narrowly losing to Australia last week, the Brave Blossoms now face an even tougher test. Jones says Japan must neutralise the Springboks’ forward power and high-ball game. The former England and Wallabies coach believes accuracy and quick play will be key, promising Japan will give it a red-hot go.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-28-cents and the euro at 19-rand-99-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-72-cents and Bitcoin trades at 107-thousand-636-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-30-dollars-96-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-89-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….