News 12:00

BULLETIN 11 November 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A high-risk police team arrive in South Africa with the extradited Nzimande brothers
# The DA calls on the National Prosecuting Authority to take action against Prasa executives implicated in dodgy contracts
# And rugby. Lood de Jager is facing the music today after his red card against France

# A high-risk police team have arrived at the King Shaka Airport in KwaZulu-Natal with the extradited Nzimande brothers. The murder-accused Siyabonga and Malusi Nzimande departed King Mswati International Airport in Eswatini under heavy guard this morning. The pair face multiple murder charges, including the killing of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe welcomed the extradition and confirmed the brothers are expected to make a court appearance today:

# The DA is calling on the National Prosecuting Authority to take strong prosecutorial action against six former Passenger Rail Agency executives, implicated in 2.8-billion-rand worth of irregular contracts between 2010 and 2019. A Special Investigating Unit report fingers these executives for awarding contracts without proper procurement processes. Among the irregular contracts are security deals worth 1.6-billion-rand, most of which were awarded without competitive procurement. The DA’s Chris Hunsinger says the NPA must act decisively to ensure accountability:

# Botswana’s government, who owns 15-percent of De Beers, wants to acquire the majority stake in the South African diamond mining giant. Anglo American is selling its entire stake of 85-percent to focus mainly on its clean-energy metal copper. Botswana’s president, Duma Boko, said in his state of the nation address in Gabarone, De Beers contributes 70-percent to its annual rough diamond production. They consider the company a strategic national asset. Boko adds while Botswana seeks to diversify its mining sector, diamonds would remain a major contributor to growth.

# The US House of Representatives plans to vote on the Senate-passed short-term government funding bill as early as tomorrow, before president Donald Trump can sign it into effect. The bill, which will provide funding for some government agencies for the remainder of the fiscal year, was passed in a 60-40 vote in the Senate. Nearly all Republicans joined eight Democrats to approve the bill. House Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries says they will keep fighting to get Affordable Care Act subsidies extended:

# Rugby: Springbok lock Lood de Jager is facing a disciplinary panel today following his controversial permanent red card against France last weekend. He was sent off after his shoulder made contact with French fullback Thomas Ramos’ head just before half-time, but the Boks still went on to record a comprehensive 32-17 victory. Some pundits say it should’ve been a 20-minute red because Ramos went down just before De Jager hit him, while referee Angus Gardner was eventually convinced by his assistants to give him his marching orders.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-13-cents and the euro at 19-rand-81-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-50-cents and Bitcoin trades at 105-thousand-and-43-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-131-dollars-84-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-71-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….