News 07:00

BULLETIN 18 October 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa pledges the ongoing monitoring of criminal syndicates
# The PetroSA CEO has been suspended pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation
# And rugby: Jake White feels vindicated after David Kriel’s red card was cancelled

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged ongoing monitoring of criminal syndicates, vowing to intensify efforts against organised crime. With a focus on kidnapping and extortion, the South African Police Service has enhanced its operational response, including the formation of joint operations committees and a national priority committee. In his reply to the National Assembly’s oral questions, Ramaphosa said the police also intensified internal measures, including counter-intelligence, vetting, and lifestyle audits to ensure integrity within its ranks: 

# The Petro SA board has suspended CEO Xolile Sizani with immediate effect, eight months after appointing him. His suspension is pending the outcome of an investigation, with no further details on the nature of the probe being provided. Sizani’s appointment in February this year was seen as an attempt to bring stability and leadership to PetroSA, which had been without a permanent CEO for two years. Mmete Fusi has been appointed as the acting group CEO effective immediately.

# The African Transformation Movement has opposed the Department of Home Affairs’ removal of key documentation requirements for short-term visa applications, warning it endangers national security. The party argues the relaxed rules, including the removal of marriage and death certificate requirements, create opportunities for criminals to enter South Africa. The ATM demands tougher immigration policies to safeguard citizens. They call on the government to prioritise public safety over lenient immigration practices.

# The DA in Johannesburg has launched a petition to dissolve the Joburg Water board, pending a review of board members’ qualifications. This is as multiple water systems in the metro are constrained and others depleted, all while Joburg water sits with a volume of 46-percent non-revenue water losses. The DA’s, Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, says a full audit of the board focused on identifying weak spots must be conducted with urgency:

# The US has sanctioned two Chinese companies it says are cooperating with Russian entities to design, build, and ship long-range attack drones. This is the latest round of punitive action against firms supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine. The US Treasury says it was also targeting a Russian company and its owner, Artem Yamshchikov, who it said served as an intermediary between the firms and a Russian state-owned weapons company. The Chinese Embassy in Washington says China’s trade with Russia is in line with World Trade Organisation rules.

# Rugby: Bulls director of rugby, Jake White says he feels vindicated after centre David Kriel’s red card in the United Rugby Championship match against Ospreys was rescinded. Kriel was given his marching orders by referee Eoghan Cross after extending his arm to try and fend off a defender, but the competition’s disciplinary committee found the red card wasn’t warranted and cancelled it. White praised the URC and its disciplinary process, but explains the decision wasn’t an indictment on the officials.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-65-cents and the euro at 19-rand-13-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-98-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-889-dollar-14-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-709-dollars-20-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-66-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….