News 06:00

BULLETIN 31 October 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The budget outlines improved procurement, municipal debt relief, and metro reform initiatives
# An attorney is being accused of raping a 13-year-old girl
# And rugby: An English prop asks for the scrapping of the All Blacks’ Haka

# Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana says the government is committed to streamlining procurement processes to prevent corruption and improve how resources are allocated. The minister’s medium-term budget policy statement outlined plans for debt relief for struggling municipalities, which aims to stabilise local finances and boost economic growth. According to Godongwana, by implementing stricter regulations and oversight, the government seeks to promote accountability in procurement practices and foster fair competition among suppliers: 

Godongwana also says the tax revenue is expected to fall short by 22.3-billion-rand for 2024/2025 financial year, due to slower economic growth and global challenges. In response, the government will prioritise essential spending and plans to upgrade the tax system with digital tools by next year. According to Godongwana, these digital enhancements are aimed at speeding up tax collection, reducing errors, and improving compliance to support fiscal stability and efficiency: 

# An attorney, who is accused of buying a 13-year-old girl from her mother for 160-thousand-rand, before raping her, has pleaded not guilty. Carel Benjamin Schoeman appeared in the Gauteng High Court sitting in Palm Ridge on Wednesday, alongside his co-accused, the mother of the girl, who has also pleaded not guilty. Schoeman has been charged with 26 counts including rape, exploitation of children, and kidnapping. The state says Schoeman effectively used the minor as a sex slave, as he allegedly raped her daily at a guesthouse in Heidelberg, Gauteng.

# The Spanish government has declared three days of mourning, starting today, following flash floods that have killed at least 95 people in the southeast of the country. Several people remain missing across the country. Flooding has been reported in cities including Valencia, Murcia, and Malaga. The government has set up a crisis committee to help coordinate rescue efforts. European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, has described the floods as devastating, adding that they are ready to support relief efforts:

# Rugby: English prop Joe Marler has drawn the ire of All Blacks supporters by calling for the binning of the historical Haka. England faces New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday. Marler calls the traditional Maori war dance dating from 1905 “ridiculous”, saying it’s only any good when teams actually front it with some sort of reply. The Springboks said during this year’s Rugby Championship Tests against the All Blacks that they always respect the Haka. England has won just eight of their 45 Tests against the All Blacks.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-65-cents and the euro at 19-rand-16-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-87-cents and Bitcoin trades at 72-thousand-425-dollar-80-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-786-dollars-78-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-85-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The DA’s long-serving mayor of Stellenbosch, Gesie van Deventer, has announced her retirement, stepping down at the end of next month. Van Deventer’s career spans 13 years, including roles as mayor of both Drakenstein and Stellenbosch, with the latter receiving eight consecutive clean audits under her leadership. DA leader in the Western Cape, Tertuis Simmers said Van Deventer, known for her focus on service delivery, leaves a strong legacy in the province. 

Stay tuned for more news………….