News 06:00

BULLETIN 16 October 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Tau denies Mashatile’s alleged interest in Sizekhaya
# Umalusi extends its best wishes to the class of 2025
# And AfriForum calls for fines over illegal mining near the Kruger National Park

# Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, says deputy president Paul Mashatile has no direct or indirect financial interest in Sizekhaya Holdings. This is the consortium that won the licence to operate South Africa’s national lottery. Ithuba Lottery, a losing bidder, has filed a court interdict to stop the awarding of the licence. Ithuba alleges that Mashatile has an indirect interest in Sizekhaya through his sister-in-law, Khumo Bogatsu, who is a co-owner of Bellamont Gambling, a shareholder of Sizekhaya. In an opposing affidavit, Tau says claims of political connections are hearsay.

# Police minister Senzo Mchunu is set to appear before Parliament’s ad hoc committee today to give his side of the story in the ongoing investigation into corruption in the criminal justice system. He is expected to present evidence over two days and respond to questions from members of Parliament. Mchunu, on special leave over alleged ties to crime-linked businessmen Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and Katiso “KT” Molefe, denies interfering in investigations or protecting organised crime syndicates.

# Umalusi has extended its best wishes to the class of 2025 as over one million candidates prepare to write their year-end examination. The National Senior Certificate final matric exam is set to begin on Tuesday. Umalusi CEO Mafu Rakometsi says the final results for the 2025 examinations are scheduled to be released in January, with certificates issued within three months of approval, maintaining the integrity of the assessment process:

# AfriForum has urged authorities to impose fines on those responsible for illegal mining near the Kruger National Park. The civil rights group says the unauthorised drilling on Tenbosch, Turfbelt, and Tecklenburg Ranch lands has already caused severe environmental harm. AfriForum’s Lambert de Klerk insists the government must act within 30 days to enforce environmental laws or face legal action:

# Kenyan president William Ruto has sent Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi to India to oversee the repatriation of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s body, following his death in Kochi on Wednesday. Ruto said India will facilitate the process at Kenya’s request. The delegation includes several cabinet secretaries and Odinga family members. Ruto declared seven days of national mourning and announced Odinga will receive a State Funeral with full honours:

# Cricket: Proteas captain Aiden Markram ascribed their 93-run defeat to Pakistan in the first Test in Lahore to the top order’s inability to post competitive scores. South Africa was bowled out for 183 in their second innings after a first-innings deficit of 109 runs, when Tony de Zorzi’s 104 and Ryan Rickelton’s 71 were the only highlights. This cancelled spinner Senuran Muthusamy’s brilliant 11-wicket haul. Markram expects similar conditions in the second Test in Rawalpindi, and wants himself and the other batters to up their game.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-35-cents and the euro at 20-rand-20-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-25-cents and Bitcoin trades at 110-thousand-940-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-211-dollars-39-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-11-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….