News 06:00

BULLETIN 27 September 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The EFF says the government is unable to create jobs
# The ANC says Cilliers Brink’s removal marks a new beginning for Tshwane
# And snow is expected across parts of Western and Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal

# The EFF says the quarterly employment statistics released by Statistics South Africa are yet another indication that the government of national unity will fail to stabilise the economy and create jobs. Full-time employment decreased by 39-thousand in the second quarter of this year compared to the first quarter. This decrease was primarily due to job cutting in manufacturing, mining, transport, trade, and business services. The EFF says government must prioritise a state-led re-industrialisation of the economy, investing in productive sectors to benefit citizens.

# South Africa’s national health department has confirmed that public health facilities are experiencing high vacancy rates, with a 22.4-percent doctor shortage. In the Free State, the nursing vacancy rate is at 28-percent. Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi says budget cuts hinder efforts to fill these gaps nationwide, impacting healthcare delivery. Motsoaledi attributes this to Treasury restrictions, worsening the situation, and delaying efforts to build a capable healthcare workforce. He acknowledged that staff shortages lead to increased workloads, risking quality care.

# The ANC in Gauteng has hailed the removal of Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink as the beginning of a rebuilding process for the city after years of instability under DA-led governance. The party accused Brink of mismanagement, poor service delivery, and financial mismanagement. Briefing the media after the council meeting, ANC provincial secretary, Thembinkosi Nciza claims Brink’s ousting will help restore stability and prioritise the needs of marginalised communities in the city: 

# New York City mayor Eric Adams has been indicted on five criminal charges including wire fraud, bribery, and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations. The 57-page indictment alleges that for nearly a decade, Adams sought and accepted improper valuable benefits, such as luxury international travel, including from wealthy foreign businesspeople and at least one Turkish government. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, says the alleged benefits Adams received came with strings attached:

# Rugby: The Springboks want to celebrate Eben Etzebeth’s special milestone by beating Argentina in Mbombela tomorrow and clinching the Rugby Championship title. The lock will make history by becoming South Africa’s most-capped player, surpassing Victor Matfield’s record of 127. Hooker Bongi Mbonambi, who had played against or with Etzebeth since junior level, describes him as a very respected team member. Coach Rassie Erasmus says the Boks want to pay him back, while assistant coach Daan Human describes him as the most coachable player in the squad.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-18-cents and the euro at 19-rand-20-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-4-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-904-dollars-58-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-672-dollars-39-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-71-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The South African Weather Service has warned of a cold front that is expected to hit the southwestern part of the Western Cape tomorrow [Saturday]. Spokesperson Celeste Fourie says snowfall is expected from Sunday morning over the high-lying regions of the Western Cape, drifting towards the Eastern Cape by Monday. She cautioned of snow reaching southern KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday morning:

Stay tuned for more news………….