News 06:00

BULLETIN 16 October 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Automobile Association warns of a fuel price increase in November
# Forty-seven learners from Pretoria treated for food poisoning
# And cricket: The Protea Women are through to the T20 World Cup semifinals

# The Automobile Association has cautioned that the five-month streak of fuel price decreases is set to end in November. Based on Central Energy Fund data, the AA projects marginal increases at 14-cents per litre for 95 unleaded-petrol, 3-cents per litre for 93 unleaded-petrol, and up to 14-cents per litre for diesel. Spokesperson Eleanor Mavimbela says the rise is driven by higher international product prices and a weakening rand:

Meanwhile, the South African Revenue Service commissioner Edward Kieswetter has approved special jet fuel importation from Monday to 20 October 2025, preventing a supply crisis at airports over the festive season. This decision follows industry concerns about regulatory delays impacting fuel imports through Durban. SARS clarified that the industry struggled to meet strict provisions in the Customs and Excise Act. The tax authority urged swift compliance, ensuring smooth travel and economic stability during the period.

# Forty-seven primary school learners from Rapelego Primary School in New Eersterust in Hammanskraal received medical treatment for a suspected food poisoning incident on Monday. Most Grade five learners have been discharged with only four remaining in hospital. The Gauteng Department of Health’s spokesperson, Motalatale Modiba, says the learners allegedly consumed chocolates purchased from another learner which had an expiry date of June 2024:

# The Maldives president has sacked more than 225 political appointees, including ministers, in a bid to reduce the cash-strapped Indian Ocean nation’s expenditure. Mohamed Muizzu ordered the removal of those he appointed after coming to power last year as the small but strategically located nation struggles to stave off a debt crisis. Among those sacked were seven state ministers, 43 deputy ministers, and 178 political directors. It was not clear what functions they performed in the tiny nation of about half a million people.

# Cricket: South Africa is through to the Women’s T20 World Cup semifinals after the West Indies knocked out England in their final Group B match in Dubai. England posted 141 for seven in their 20. West Indies reached the target with the help of captain Hayley Matthews, who scored a half-century, in her 100th T20 International and Qiana Joseph with 52. After finishing top of Group B, West Indies will now face New Zealand in the semifinals, while South Africa will take on defending champions Australia.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-64-cents and the euro at 19-rand-22-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-7-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-848-dollar-32-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-661-dollars-37-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-64-cents a barrel.

# And finally: ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has paid tribute to the late former Finance minister Tito Mboweni, remembering him as a brilliant intellectual and revolutionary within the ANC. He led the party’s delegation to Mboweni’s home in Johannesburg yesterday. Mbalula extended condolences to Mboweni’s family, highlighting the former minister’s vital contributions to South Africa’s growth and economic stability.

Stay tuned for more news………….