News 18:00

BULLETIN 13 November 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Treasury targets 6.7-billion-rand in savings through its Targeted and Responsible Savings initiative
# Cabinet welcomes the launch of the Biovac vaccine development laboratory
# And, firefighters battle a lightning-sparked blaze on Matroosberg in De Doorns

# The National Treasury has begun quantifying savings from its Targeted and Responsible Savings initiative, which identifies low-priority programmes and ghost workers for removal. Savings of 6.7-billion-rand are projected in the 2026 budget framework, including three-billion-rand from social grant fraud. Treasury director-general, Duncan Pieterse, says the plan moves away from blanket budget cuts and focuses on efficiency, accountability, and improved service delivery across departments and provinces.

# Cabinet has welcomed the launch of South Africa’s first local product development laboratory at Biovac in Cape Town, describing it as a major step toward full vaccine development capacity. Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says the new high-tech facility, equipped with advanced technology, will boost homegrown innovation, tackle Africa’s major diseases, and create up to 700 jobs:

# The Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Fire Services says firefighting continues in the Montagu, Ashton, and De Doorns areas. The blaze in the Cogmanskloof mountains above Zolani remains active, while a lightning strike sparked a fire on the Matroosberg mountain in De Doorns. The municipality’s spokesperson, Jo-Anne Otto:

# Zimbabwean opposition leader Job Sikhala has been granted ten-thousand-rand bail at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court. The former member of Parliament was arrested with his elderly uncle Alexander Thema over alleged possession of explosives. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Working Group denies the explosives belonged to him, calling the arrest suspected foul play. The matter has been postponed to 3 February 2026.

# Rugby: Junior Springbok head coach Kevin Foote has made several rotational changes to the South African Under-19 Academy squad for tomorrow evening’s clash with Ireland in Cork. In an effort to give all players game time, Foote has made four changes to the starting pack, another five tweaks to the backline, and a further six changes amongst the replacements. Captain Riley Norton has been moved from his regular position of lock to blindside flanker, with JD Hattingh promoted from the bench to the second row.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-1-cents and the euro at 19-rand-77-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-40-cents and Bitcoin trades at 102-thousand-191-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-224-dollars-81-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-8-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….