News 07:00

BULLETIN 9 October 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# At least 14 vehicles are set alight during violent protests in Durban
# Pro-Palestinian groups ask for a boycott of Bocelli’s concert in Jordan
# And cricket: A huge battle is expected in the series between the top-two teams on the World Test Championship log

# KwaZulu-Natal police have confirmed at least 14 vehicles were set alight during violent protests in Durban’s CBD yesterday. Reports indicate protesters marching against gender-based violence joined the March and March group near the Home Affairs offices. Violence reportedly erupted after one protester was allegedly assaulted by a foreign national, leaving him with a broken leg. Police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda says the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault remain unclear:

# A Western Cape woman was given a 20-year prison sentence for the murder of her three great-grandchildren. Seventy-one-year-old Sarie de Villiers of Wellington admitted she deliberately drove her vehicle off Bainskloof Pass in November 2021. She survived, but eight-year-old Caleb Booysen and his younger brothers, Gradwell and Joshua, were killed. The children had been living in foster care after they were removed from the family home over their parents’ substance abuse. De Villiers told the Worcester Regional Court she was protecting them from a life of suffering.

# General industries union, Giwusa, says the manufacturing sector is facing a serious decline, after production fell by 4.3-percent in August. The union is calling for a major change in economic policy, including stronger public investment in manufacturing and measures to protect workers from retrenchments and job losses. Giwusa president Mametlwe Sebei says the drop in sectors such as motor vehicles, chemicals, food and beverages, and metals could lead to more job losses:

# The Gauteng Department of Health urges people with diabetes and other chronic conditions to have regular foot screenings and seek treatment early to prevent serious complications, disability and amputations. During the 2025/26 financial year, podiatrists treated more than 63-thousand patients and screened over 34-thousand people, including more than 14-thousand people living with diabetes. The department’s Steve Mabona says 61 podiatrists are providing specialised foot care across eleven hospitals and five health districts:

Moving abroad:

# Famous Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli faces a boycott of his concert in Jordan over his public support for Israel. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended his concert in Tel Aviv in 2022 after the singer ignored pro-Palestinian activists’ calls for a boycott of Israel. Bocelli also performed at a fundraiser in Los Angeles for a group supporting the Israeli military in 2010. The 68-year-old’s concert in the ancient Jordanian city of Petra at the end of November is part of his Romanza world tour, celebrating his 30-year career.

# Cricket: A huge battle is expected in the series between the top-two countries on the World Test Championship log, Australia and South Africa. The first of three Tests starts in Durban today. South Africa now knows how to beat the old foe after being victorious in the final of the previous season. The shadow of the sandpaper scandal of 2018 still hangs over the visitors. Six players remain from eight years ago: captain Pat Cummins, former captain Steve Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Matthew Renshaw.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-53-cents and the euro at 18-rand-56-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-89-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 81-thousand-855-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-173-dollars-9-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 106-dollars-26-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….