News 14:00

BULLETIN 27 November 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# AfriForum says the diplomatic crisis with the US could have been avoided
# Hong Kong’s government orders the inspection of all housing estates undergoing major renovations after a deadly fire
# And rugby: Reinach will play his 50th Test for South Africa against Wales on Saturday

# Civil rights group AfriForum says South Africa’s diplomatic crisis with the US could have been prevented. CEO Kallie Kriel criticised ANC leaders for ignoring solutions, inviting the Iranian ambassador, and making anti-American statements. He urges decisive action on farm murders and property rights, including condemning the Kill the Boer chant, prioritising farm murders, and revising sections of the Expropriation Act to protect property and promote stability:

# The search for South Africa’s next National Director of Public Prosecutions has entered the interview phase. Justice and Constitutional Development minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi’s advisory panel has shortlisted six candidates after reviewing 32 applications. The expanded recruitment process followed a call to widen nominations through the Legal Practice Council. Those advancing include senior National Prosecuting Authority officials Nicolette Bell, Andrea Johnson, and Adrian Mopp, alongside anti-corruption specialists Hermione Cronje, Xolisile Khanyile, and former NDPP head Menzi Simelane. Public comments are now invited.

# The Referendum Party warns the City of Cape Town’s new agreement with Urban Think Tank Empowerment to upgrade informal settlements could encourage further illegal land invasions, strain services, and burden taxpayers. The party’s Robert King says the BT Soweto Pilot Project offers duplexes, commercial spaces, and community facilities, but they believe it rewards lawbreakers while ignoring enforcement issues:

Moving abroad:

# Hong Kong chief executive, John Lee, has ordered inspections of all housing estates undergoing significant renovations in the Chinese territory. This comes after a fire broke out at a public housing complex undergoing renovations yesterday. At least 55 people have been killed, and almost 300 are still unaccounted for in Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in at least 63 years. Three construction company executives have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and gross negligence. Lee says the inspections will include safety checks on scaffolding and building materials.

# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus made several forced changes to his team for Saturday’s final tour match against Wales in Cardiff. Both teams are without many first-choice players because the match falls outside of the Test window. South Africa’s run-on team shows eight changes and a rotational switch to the one that beat Ireland last weekend, with reserve scrumhalf Cobus Reinach due to earn his 50th cap. Captain Siya Kolisi, Ruan Nortjé, Jasper Wiese, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Canan Moodie, Damian de Allende and Damian Willemse remain in the starting-team.  

# 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-69-cents and Bitcoin trades at 91-thousand-717-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-155-dollars-46-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-40-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….