News 06:00

BULLETIN 1 October 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa pays tribute to ambassador Nathi Mthethwa
# Trump gives Hamas four days to respond to his plan to end the war in Gaza
# And rugby: The controversial Andrea Piardi will be the referee at Twickenham

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed sadness at the death of South Africa’s ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, who passed away in Paris at the age of 58. Ramaphosa extended condolences to his wife, Philisiwe Buthelezi, his family, and colleagues. He praised Mthethwa for his service in cabinet as minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, and Police. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says the nation mourns a dedicated servant whose life ended tragically and too soon:

Meanwhile, the ANC has described Mthethwa as a committed cadre of the liberation struggle and a dedicated servant of the people. ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu, says Mthethwa’s life was one of both struggle and service:

# Evidence at the Madlanga commission in Pretoria revealed that businessman and ANC influencer Brown Mogotsi had access to classified police information. Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo told the commission that Mogotsi was aware of the disbandment of the KwaZulu-Natal political killings task team before the announcement was made public. Khumalo states that Mogotsi informed Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala about the decision and the transfer of 121 dockets to deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya:

# Tourism minister Patricia de Lille has accused ousted members of the SA Tourism board of using inappropriate tactics to pressure her into reversing her decision to dissolve the board. Last month, the ousted board members filed an urgent application in the High Court in Pretoria to overturn the minister’s decision. They argue that the minister’s actions undermine good governance, accountability, and the independence of statutory boards. In a reply affidavit, De Lille says the board members’ claims of so-called clear illegalities underpinning her decision are unsubstantiated.

# US President Donald Trump gave Hamas an ultimatum of “three or four days” to respond to his plan for Gaza, as the militant group reviewed the proposal backed by Israel. The plan calls for a ceasefire, release of hostages by Hamas within 72 hours, disarmament of Hamas and gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, followed by a post-war transitional authority headed by Trump himself. World powers, including Arab and Muslim nations, welcomed the proposal, but Hamas had yet to issue its response.

# Rugby: Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test between South Africa and Argentina in London will be refereed by Italian Andrea Piardi, who is accused of doing the Wallabies in on two recent occasions. He handled the second Test against the British and Irish Lions and allowed a controversial Lions’ try in the dying moments that clinched the series. Piardi also handled the whistle in last weekend’s match against the All Blacks, after which many Australian fans, international pundits, and even players pointed out inconsistencies in his decisions.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-26-cents and the euro at 20-rand-26-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-20-cents and Bitcoin trades at 114-thousand-23-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-861-dollars-53-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-90-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….