News 06:00

BULLETIN 21 October 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Gwarube says rigorous security is in place to ensure the integrity of the NSC exams
# Two top US envoys meet Netanyahu after a weekend of violence in Gaza
# And cricket: The Proteas play Pakistan in the penultimate World Cup group match

# Basic Education minister, Siviwe Gwarube, says rigorous security and support measures are in place to ensure the integrity of the 2025 National Senior Certificate examinations. Approximately 900-thousand candidates are expected to write the NSC exams, which begin today. Gwarube says public examination centres that have experienced repeated irregularities will have external invigilators permanently stationed on site to ensure examination integrity. She adds that the integrity of the exams remains paramount:

Meanwhile, president Cyril Ramaphosa has wished the 2025 matric class all the best as they begin the examinations today, saying this is a moment for the learners to shine. Among the candidates, 766-thousand are full-time learners and 137-thousand are part-time candidates. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, says the whole country is behind the matric learners as they focus and persevere during these exams:

# Witness A told the Madlanga Commission that the Cold Case Unit tried to take control of the Q-Tech Engineering engineer Armand Swart’s murder docket despite ongoing arrests. He described tense meetings with Gauteng crime investigation services head Richard Shibiri, where possible bribe offers were hinted at. Witness A also said a party invitation from businessman Vusi Ndlala appeared to be a test of whether he and his colleagues could be compromised:

# The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg will on Friday hand down judgment on the bail appeal of controversial businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala. Matlala, who has been in custody since April. He faces charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, money laundering, and defeating the ends of justice. The State opposes bail, citing public risk and witness interference, while Matlala’s lawyers argue exceptional circumstances justify his release pending trial.

# Two of the United States’ top envoys to the Middle East met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday after weekend violence threatened to wreck a fragile US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza. The sit-down came as Israel reopened the Kerem Shalom border crossing into Gaza for aid shipments, after the entry point was closed briefly on Sunday following the killing of two Israeli soldiers. In response, Israel carried out dozens of strikes targeting Hamas across Gaza, accusing the militant group of violating the truce, an accusation it denied.

# Cricket: The Proteas Women play Pakistan in their penultimate World Cup group match in Colombo, Sri Lanka, today after already having qualified for the semifinals. Not much is at stake for the opponents, though, as they are at the bottom of the table with only two points from their previous five encounters. South Africa lost its first match against England before consecutive victories over New Zealand, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, and faces defending champion and log leader, Australia, in their final group match in Indore, India, on Saturday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-21-cents and the euro at 20-rand-4-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-7-cents and Bitcoin trades at 110-thousand-699-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-362-dollars-53-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 60-dollars-68-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….