News 15:00

BULLETIN 12 November 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Godongwana urges a continued fight against money laundering and terrorism financing
# The inquest into Steve Biko’s death is reopened after 48 years
# And cricket: The order of play is adapted for the second Test between South Africa and India

# Finance minister Enoch Godongwana has urged government to maintain its fight against money laundering and terrorism financing to stay off the Financial Action Task Force grey list. He delivered his fifth medium-term budget policy statement in Parliament, presenting key bills including the Division of Revenue Amendment and Taxation Laws Amendment Bills. Godongwana says continued vigilance is essential to protect the country’s financial credibility, attract investment, and support economic growth: 

# An inquest into the death of anti-apartheid leader Steve Biko reopened at the High Court in Gqeberha today – 48 years after his death in police custody. The National Prosecuting Authority sought approval from Justice and Constitutional Development minister Mmamoloko Kubayi following new evidence from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The TRC revealed former police members may have assaulted Biko before his death in 1977. The NPA says the reopened inquest aims to determine criminal accountability and bring long-awaited justice for Biko’s family.

# The Department of Water and Sanitation has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating equitable and sustainable access to water and sanitation services across South Africa. The AWSISA Africa and Global South Water and Sanitation Dialogue ends in Johannesburg today. The department’s spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa, says South Africa continues to work closely with African governments, regional bodies and strategic global partners to advance the Africa Water Vision 2063, which seeks a prosperous and water-secure continent where water is equitably and sustainably managed:

# Cricket: The order of play had been changed for the second Test between South Africa and India because of early sunsets in Guwahati. It gets dark in the far north-eastern city from about four in the afternoon. Play will start at nine in the morning local time – 5.30 am in South Africa – half-an hour earlier than usual, and teatime will be taken before lunch. The 20-minute teatime will be taken after two hours, and lunch two hours thereafter. The first Test starts in Kolkata on Friday.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-14-cents and the euro at 19-rand-85-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-51-cents and Bitcoin trades at 104-thousand-884-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-127-dollars-75-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-44-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The historic Mellon Blue diamond sold for about 439-million-rand at a Christie’s auction in Geneve. The 9.51-carat fancy vivid blue stone was named for the late arts patron Rachel “Bunny” Mellon. The pear-shaped diamond was the star lot of the Magnificent Jewels sale in the Swiss city. While the price fell within its estimated range, it confirms the strong, elite appetite for extraordinary colored gems. The sale secured its place as Christie’s third-highest price for a vivid blue diamond at auction.

Stay tuned for more news………….