News 07:00

BULLETIN 17 October 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ramaphosa wants more value from South Africa’s minerals
# The ANC ConCourt victory opens the door for 32 other political parties
# And, the White House spokesperson is fired after just five days

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa must stop relying on exporting raw minerals and importing finished products at higher prices. Speaking at the launch of Vedanta Zinc International’s Gamsberg Phase Two Expansion Project in the Northern Cape, Ramaphosa said the country is losing economic opportunities by allowing other countries to process its natural resources. He called for greater local processing, stating that minerals can support other industries including energy technologies:

# The Electoral Commission has extended relief to 32 political parties following the Constitutional Court ruling allowing the ANC to submit an outstanding candidates list for the 4 November local government elections. The decision affects 107 municipalities and means 33-million ballot papers will be needed, with 6.6-million still to be printed. IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya told the media the parties will be allowed to complete their nominations, provided they meet the requirements:

# Businessman Suliman Carrim remains in custody after the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court postponed his bail hearing to Monday. The 49-year-old faces charges under the Commissions Act for allegedly failing to appear before the Madlanga Commission under subpoena. Carrim was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday night while preparing to board an international flight. The state requested more time to verify his travel documents and address verification:

# The KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court in KwaZulu-Natal has postponed the case of a 16-year-old boy accused of stabbing a six-year-old girl at a school in Ballito to 30 October. The teenager faces charges of attempted murder, housebreaking and trespassing. He has applied for legal aid, and the state intends to oppose his release on bail. The case was heard behind closed doors because the accused is a minor. The girl remains in a serious but stable condition in a Durban hospital.

# US President Donald Trump’s new press secretary, Katie Zacharia, has been dismissed after less than a week in the job, following criticism of her performance and questions about her legal qualifications. Zacharia’s first press briefing lasted about 14 minutes, with questions from only three journalists. She later faced scrutiny after admitting she had not passed the bar exam, despite previously describing herself as a lawyer. Her departure leaves the White House without a permanent press secretary, less than three weeks before the US midterm elections.

# And finally rugby: The new Champions Cup season is underway, and today’s action starts simultaneously in Pretoria and Eccles in England. The Bulls welcome Stade Francais to Loftus at two, while Sale Sharks will host Scottish club Glasgow Warriors. Later, the Stormers and England’s Bristol Bears will meet at the Cape Town Stadium. The other South African team in the competition, the Lions, are away to La Rochelle in France this evening. Bordeaux-Bègles won the previous season when they beat Leinster in the final.

Stay tuned for more news………….