News 06:00

BULLETIN 23 September 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Godongwana will table the medium-term budget in November
# The national police commissioner says the disbandment of the political killings task team was unlawful
# And athletics: Botswana declares a public holiday after their historic gold medal

# National Treasury has confirmed that Finance minister Enoch Godongwana will table the medium-term budget policy statement on November 12th. Traditionally tabled in October, the medium-term budget policy statement is an opportunity for the minister to make revisions to the national budget and allocate additional money where needed. Treasury says due to the lateness of the February budget, which was tabled in May, and the need for consultation with parties in the government of national unity before the tabling of the adjustment budget, minister Godongwana requested the November date.

# National police commissioner Fannie Masemola has told the Madlanga commission that the disbandment of the political killings task team was both unlawful and abrupt. Masemola said Police minister Senzo Mchunu never raised concerns about the unit beforehand and did not consult key stakeholders, including the national prosecuting authority. He added he was on leave when Mchunu issued the directive and learned of the decision via a WhatsApp message, with no prior discussion or warning:

Masemola also said he clashed with Crime Detection deputy national police commissioner, Shadrack Sibiya, over the plan to disband the political killings task team immediately. Masemola testified that Sibiya presented a proposal for the abrupt shutdown, but he rejected it. He said he advocated for a gradual phase-out instead, but Sibiya later issued a letter under his own name to enforce the disbandment:

# The Gauteng Department of Education says school admissions are based on home address and siblings, not citizenship, responding to Operation Dudula’s campaign in Soweto. The department urges schools to stay safe and continue learning uninterrupted. The department’s Steve Mabona says the province is increasing placements for learners with special needs, fixing mobile classrooms, and improving facilities:

# NATO member Poland will not hesitate to shoot down objects that violate its airspace and pose a threat, but will take a more cautious approach to less clear-cut situations. Poland’s prime minister, Donald Tusk, told a news conference it would decide to shoot down flying objects when they violate the country’s territory and fly over Poland. Russia responded by saying the claim is false and denied its fighter planes violated Polish airspace. Estonia said three Russian fighter jets violated its airspace on Friday.

# Athletics: Botswana has declared a public holiday to celebrate the country’s victory in the men’s 4×400-metres relay at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. President Duma Boko hailed the gold medal as a “historic African” win and praised the team for their performance. He announced Monday, 29 September, as a holiday, a day ahead of the country’s independence day. Botswana’s team of Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori, and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi edged out the US in a rain-drenched race. South Africa took third place.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-33-cents and the euro at 20-rand-46-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-42-cents and Bitcoin trades at 112-thousand-712-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-746-dollars-96-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-96-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….