News 06:00

BULLETIN 20 October 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Government will invest 2.2-trillion-rand in a energy transformation strategy
# AfriForum claims Ramaphosa admits sections of the Expropriation Act are unconstitutional
# And road running: The 2025 Cape Town Marathon runners will receive sponsored entries next year

# Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says government plans to invest 2.2-trillion-rand, which is about 30-percent of South Africa’s gross domestic product, in a comprehensive energy transformation strategy. This is part of the country’s Integrated Resource Plan, which was approved by the cabinet. Ramokgopa says the IRP aims to address electricity supply issues, promote economic growth, and create jobs, targeting a three-percent gross domestic product growth by 2030:

# AfriForum says president Cyril Ramaphosa admitted under oath that Sections 19(2), (3), and (4) of the Expropriation Act are unconstitutional, allowing expropriation before landowners can challenge in court. AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel welcomes the admission but argues only Parliament can amend the law. He calls for the Act to be declared unconstitutional or returned to Parliament. He says Ramaphosa should be held accountable for economic fallout linked to the law:

# The DA has reiterated its call for the Security Cluster to present a joint action plan by 31 October to address what it calls the collapse of South Africa’s criminal justice system. DA Justice spokesperson Glynnis Breytenbach says corruption and inefficiency have allowed criminals to act with impunity, crippling growth and jobs. She says ministers of Justice, Police, Correctional Services, and State Security must act decisively to restore law, order, and public safety.

# Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube will announce the state of readiness for the 2025 National Senior Certificate Examinations today. Department spokesperson Terence Khala says the minister will reveal candidate numbers, exam centre distribution, learner support measures, and system preparedness. He says the briefing will address identified threats and mitigation strategies as the country prepares for one of the most important events in the education calendar:

# French police have launched a manhunt for a gang of thieves who stole priceless jewellery from the Apollo Room at the Louvre Museum in Paris. According to reports, the gang appears to have used a mechanical ladder to gain access to a first-floor window before smashing through display cases and escaping on scooters. Interior minister Laurent Nuñez says it took the thieves seven minutes to make off with the jewels, which have a real heritage value. He has expressed confidence in finding the perpetrators and recovering all the stolen jewels.

# Road running: Organisers of the Cape Town Marathon say this year’s entrants will receive sponsored entry into next year’s race. Sunday’s race was cancelled at the 11th hour following gusts of wind that damaged structures before the start gun could go off. The marathon was aiming to gain Abbott World Marathon Majors status, to be recognised as one of the most prestigious global races. There are currently only seven marathons in the elite club: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City and Sydney. 

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-37-cents and the euro at 20-rand-25-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-32-cents and Bitcoin trades at 108-thousand-635-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-240-dollars-13-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 61-dollars-10-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….