News 07:00

BULLETIN 2 October 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says the government is committed to achieving rapid economic growth
# Herman Mashaba urges Ramaphosa to address the Lusikisiki massacre
# And the prime minister of Lebanon says his country faces a dangerous phase

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the government of national unity is fully committed to following through on the reform agenda and achieving more rapid and inclusive economic growth. He launched phase two of the government-business partnership in Johannesburg yesterday evening, where he also met with over 80 CEOs. Ramaphosa says through this partnership, they have worked to mobilise the skills, talent, expertise, and goodwill that exist in the country behind a single task, to grow the economy and create jobs:

Meanwhile, Business Unity South Africa vice-president and Discovery Limited CEO, Adrian Gore, says economic growth lies at the heart of everything that government and business seek to achieve. Gore says the first phase of this ground-breaking partnership was a huge success, tackling some of the country’s most pressing challenges in the areas of energy, transport and logistics:

# ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has urged president Cyril Ramaphosa to take responsibility for the Lusikisiki mass murders, where 18 people were killed during a cleansing ceremony. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Mashaba criticised rising murder rates in the country. He also called for the national police commissioner Fannie Masemola to be replaced with KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to tackle the crisis:

# The South African National Roads Agency is exploring options for historic e-toll debt after receiving Gauteng’s first 3.8-billion-rand payment for the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project debt. The controversial e-toll system, introduced in 2013, was scrapped in 2022. Gauteng Finance MEC Lebogang Maile stated that past payments won’t be refunded, as e-tolls were previously law. Sanral is seeking legal advice on the issue.

# Lebanon’s prime minister Najib Mikati says his country is facing one of the most dangerous phases in its history. Intense Israeli strikes have killed more than one-thousand people and displaced as many as one-million. Israel launched a ground invasion, which it described as limited in scope, in southern Lebanon yesterday targeting Hezbollah. The Iran-backed militant group is reeling from the killing of its leader Hassan Nasrallah. Mikati is urgently calling for more aid to reinforce its ongoing efforts to provide basic support to displaced civilians.

# Cricket: The Proteas Women suffered a 28-run defeat to India in Dubai, in their final warm-up match for the T20 World Cup. India posted 144 for seven in their 20 overs with Richa Ghosh scoring 36 and Deepti Sharma unbeaten on 35. Ayabonga Khaka was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa, claiming five wickets. In reply, the Proteas could only reach 116 in their 20 overs. South Africa kick off their World Cup campaign against the West Indies on Friday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-35-cents and the euro at 19-rand-22-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-7-cents and Bitcoin trades at 61-thousand-485-dollars-19-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-660-dollars-76-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-70-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….