News 07:00

BULLETIN 4 December 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The EFF accuses the Higher Education minister of perjury
# TLU SA writes a letter to president Cyril Ramaphosa
# And rugby: The Boks and All Blacks could clash in World Cup quarterfinal in 2027

# The EFF has lodged a complaint of perjury and improper conduct against Higher Education and Training minister, Buti Manamela, with the Public Protector. It has also opened a criminal case with the police. The EFF claims that Manamela gave conflicting statements in an answering affidavit to the court and in Parliament. This is regarding whether he held meetings with the National Skills Authority before placing three Sector Education and Training Authorities under administration. The EFF’s Sihle Lonzi says Manamela must be held accountable:

# The agriculture organisation, TLU SA, has written an open letter to president Cyril Ramaphosa expressing concerns regarding the current state of affairs in South Africa. The letter highlights the high levels of crime, including farm murders, corruption, and unemployment, amongst other concerns. TLU SA’s Bennie van Zyl says Ramaphosa must declare farm attacks a priority crime and end the abuse of black economic empowerment legislation:

# The payout to KwaZulu-Natal’s Ithala bank depositors will start on 8 December. The National Treasury has set aside up to 2.2-billion-rand to ensure depositors are repaid safely. Payments will be processed through FNB. Treasury is working closely with the local government and the Prudential Authority to oversee the payout. Provincial government spokesperson Bongani Gina says depositors have until 2028 to claim their money, while existing loan repayments to Ithala must continue:

# The Israeli Defence Force says it has received the body of another hostage from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, as part of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement. Israel insists that the bodies of two hostages remain in Gaza, claiming that one of the bodies transferred by Hamas on Tuesday did not belong to any of its captives. So far, the remains of 23 dead Israeli hostages have been handed over, along with those of three foreign hostages from Thailand, Nepal, and Tanzania.

# Rugby: The top-two teams in the world, South Africa and New Zealand, could face off in the quarterfinal of 2027’s World Cup in Australia. This follows yesterday’s draw, which put the Springboks in Pool B, together with Italy, Georgia, and Romania. The All Blacks, the hosts, Chile, and Hong Kong China make up Pool A. The prospect of 2023’s finalists playing each other in the quarterfinals is described as something neither would have wanted. The tournament runs from 1 October to 13 November.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-4-cents and the euro at 19-rand-87-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-73-cents and Bitcoin trades at 93-thousand-226-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-214-dollars-16-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-67-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Four young South African scientists are set to showcase their award-winning innovations at the World Innovative Science Project Olympiad in Bali, Indonesia, next week. The competition brings together young scientists from around the world to showcase their research, innovation, and scientific projects. The four are Grade 12 learner Dzunisa Chauke from Khanyisa Education Centre, Grade 11 pupils Milla Vorster and Ismaail Hassen from Curro Durbanville and Greenside High School respectively, and Albertus Willem van Niekerk, a Grade 10 learner from Paul Roos Gymnasium.

Stay tuned for more news………….