News 13:00

BULLETIN 29 November 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Police warn that the disbanding of the political task team has far-reaching consequences
# The ‘Democrats Abroad’ slam Trump’s hostility towards Pretoria
# And rugby: The Boks are determined to finish the season on a high note against Wales

# Acting deputy national police commissioner Hilda Senthumule has detailed the serious consequences of Police minister Senzo Mchunu’s decision to disband the Political Killings Task Team. Testifying before the Madlanga Commission, Senthumule said the move disrupted ongoing investigations and affected detectives who had been dedicated to the PKTT. She warned that disbanding the unit had broader implications for the stability of policing operations:

# The Electoral Commission has released its Second Quarter Political Funding Disclosure Report for the 2025/26 year, showing over 2.4-million-rand in declared donations. Four parties submitted disclosures, with ActionSA and the DA fully compliant, while the ANC and Inkatha Freedom Party were flagged for non-compliance. The DA received the highest donations at 1.2-million-rand, followed by ActionSA, the ANC, and the IFP. The IEC notes that overall donations remain among the lowest since the framework began.

# Deputy President Paul Mashatile has marked 21 years of the Toivo Tshabalala Trust and 40 years since the passing of MK soldier Vincent ‘Toivo’ Tshabalala. Speaking at the Trust’s Education Golf Dinner Fundraiser in Johannesburg, Mashatile said the organisation remains a powerful tribute to Tshabalala’s commitment to education and equality. He emphasised that the Trust continues to uplift communities through bursaries, leadership programmes, and initiatives promoting quality education for all:

# A body representing US citizens living in South Africa has denounced President Donald Trump’s hostile foreign policy towards Pretoria, slamming it as “divisive and hostile”. “Democrats Abroad South Africa”, in a statement on Friday, criticised the US president’s cutting of foreign aid to South Africa and his punitive trade tariffs over “unfounded claims” of racial discrimination against the white Afrikaner community. It says US citizens in South Africa know first-hand that the allegations are baseless and serve a deeper, concerning agenda rooted in White Supremacy and White Christian Nationalism.

# And finally, sports news:

# Rugby: Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Siya Kolisi said the Boks are determined to finish their season on a high note when they line up against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff later today. Should the Boks win the match, it will mark the second season in a row that they complete their year-end Outgoing Tour with a clean sweep of wins. Kolisi said they know the Welsh will come for them, so the Boks will have to start with intensity. Stick shared Kolisi’s sentiments and said they are expecting a tough game. Kick-off is at 10 past 5 this afternoon.

# And motorsport: Oscar Piastri confirmed his return to form to keep alive his title bid by claiming pole position on Friday for today’s sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix. The Australian, who is 24 points behind his McLaren teammate Lando Norris in the drivers’ championship, clocked the best time ahead of George Russell of Mercedes. The closely fought sprint qualifying session saw series leader Norris third fastest. Four-time champion Max Verstappen, who is level on points with Piastri in the three-way title race, was sixth in his Red Bull.

Stay tuned for more news………….