News 13:00

BULLETIN 26 November 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The National Treasury issues a draft paper for a proposed online gambling tax
# The GOOD Party criticises the auctioning of the George tragedy site
# And cricket: History is rewritten in the Test series between the Proteas and India

# National Treasury published a draft discussion paper for an online gambling tax for public comment. It says the growth of online gambling brings major social challenges which requires continued monitoring and responsive regulation. Treasury also maintains problem gambling imposes a cost on society and it is in the public interest that such behaviour be regulated or reduced. A new national online gambling tax for South Africa is therefore proposed. The discussion paper is available on the Treasury’s website and the deadline for public comments is 30 January.

# The GOOD Party in the Western Cape says the online auction of the George building collapse site, where 34 workers were killed and 28 injured in May last year, is utterly unacceptable. The auction comes after the George Municipality earlier this month withdrew its claim for recovery costs of ten-million-rand due to the owners, Neo Victoria Development’s state of liquidation. GOOD’s Chantelle Kyd says the site must be dedicated to a permanent memorial for the victims and their grieving families:

# SANParks says Table Mountain National Park in the Western Cape is ready for the festive season. Safety, firefighting, and patrols have been strengthened with rangers, drones, and canine units, supported by volunteers and emergency services. Tourists can safely enjoy hiking, beaches, wildlife, and stunning views. SANParks spokesperson JP Louw urged visitors to plan ahead, hike in groups, carry water, and keep phones charged:

# COPE says the recent allegations made by US president Donald Trump regarding genocide in South Africa have not been substantiated and appear to diverge significantly from the reality on the ground. The party says South Africa has just hosted a very successful G20 leaders’ summit, widely praised for fostering cooperation, democracy, and global partnerships. COPE says the South African government stayed focused and handled the summit with strength and professionalism, despite outside pressure.

# Cricket: The series between South Africa that concluded with the second Test in Guwahati today, yielded several historical statistics. Proteas allrounder Aiden Markram became the first player ever to take nine catches in a match, while the Proteas won their first series in India since Hansie Cronjé’s men in 2000. Today was also the home team’s biggest Test defeat when South Africa triumphed by 408 runs. Thirty-six-year-old player of the series, Simon Harmer, became the bowler with the best average in a series in India when he claimed 17 wickets.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-16-cents and the euro at 19-rand-87-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-61-cents and Bitcoin trades at 87-thousand-266-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-159-dollars-56-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 61-dollars-88-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….