News 06:00

BULLETIN 14 October 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Parliament’s Impeachment Committee rejects the claims over the withdrawal of its evidence leader
# The MK Party cancels its election manifesto launch
# And cricket: Bavuma acknowledges they did not rise to the occasion against Australia

# Parliament’s impeachment committee chairperson Makashule Gana accuses the EFF and the African Legal Professionals Association of misrepresenting events surrounding the withdrawal of advocate Thandazani Madonsela’s nomination as evidence leader for the Phala Phala inquiry. The party and the association approached the High Court in the Western Cape to challenge the decision. Gana says the committee’s legal team will argue its decisions were taken in line with Parliament’s rules when the matter resumes today:

# The MK Party has cancelled its planned local government election manifesto launch in Mpumalanga on Sunday, emphasising that this decision is unrelated to leader Jacob Zuma’s health. The party says it cancelled the Siyathatha Rally to redirect resources to ward-level campaigning and community engagement. This follows reports that the party was facing financial difficulties that threatened its plans for a major manifesto launch. The MK Party says it will distribute its election manifesto electronically to all members and structures tomorrow.

# AfriForum says its latest nationwide patrols have led to arrests and the seizure of drugs, weapons and illegal alcohol in several areas. The operation involved 178 neighbourhood and farm watch groups working with police, leading to the seizure of weapons and drugs in Springs, Gauteng, and seven arrests and eight illegal liquor outlet raids in Swellendam, Western Cape. AfriForum’s Jacques Broodryk says the patrols help fight crime and improve community safety:

# The Western Cape government says good progress is being made on a 74-million-rand project to repair flood damage on the Seven Passes Road near George and other roads in the area, including Wittedrif near Plettenberg Bay. The work includes replacing damaged culverts and causeways, repairing road slips and improving drainage. The project is expected to be completed by March next year. Infrastructure MEC Tertuis Simmers says the project has created 92 work opportunities, with more local labour and businesses benefiting from the repairs.

# President Donald Trump says the US has not stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia. This follows reports that America could suspend intelligence sharing and European purchases of US weapons for Ukraine if Kyiv does not halt its deep strikes on Russian energy facilities. Trump, who has long blamed the rise in global diesel prices on the Ukraine-Russia war, says both president Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin want the war to end:

# Cricket: Proteas captain Temba Bavuma says the mistakes they made in the first Test against Australia in Durban were mental rather than reckless. The visitors clinched a 214-run victory against South Africa, with Matt Renshaw playing his best-ever Test knock, stroking 190, to take a one-nil lead in the three-match series. Bavuma acknowledged the batters did not rise to the occasion, saying there were too many soft dismissals. He added that he hopes his side can rally in the second Test starting on Sunday in Gqeberha.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-47-cents and the euro at 18-rand-45-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-83-cents and Bitcoin trades at 83-thousand-454-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-161-dollars-59-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 108-dollars-48-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….