News 07:00

BULLETIN 17 October 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Ntshavheni says Imtiaz Fazel’s suspension will not disrupt operations within intelligence services
# The Shoprite Group reports a slight improvement in the country’s  food security
# And cricket: the Proteas Women face Sri Lanka in the World Cup today

# Minister in the Presidency Khumbduzo Ntshavheni says the office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence is fully operational despite the suspension of Imtiaz Fazel. President Cyril Ramaphosa suspended the Inspector General of Intelligence following complaints about his conduct. Ntshavheni says one should not be confused about the roles played by crime intelligence, state security, and the office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence.

Meanwhile, the DA has expressed deep concern over Ramaphosa’s suspension of Fazel. The party says the move comes amid growing evidence of political interference and corruption within security structures. The DA’s Dianne Kohler Barnard warns that Fazel’s suspension, along with attacks on other anti-corruption officials, reflects a troubling pattern aimed at undermining whistle-blowers, including the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.

# The Shoprite Group has reported a slight improvement in South Africa’s food security this year. According to its independently produced South African Food Security Index, the national score rose to 56.4 points, up from 44.9 points the previous year. While most provinces recorded gains, the Eastern Cape fell behind, and female-headed households remained more vulnerable to poverty. The group’s Sanjeev Raghubir says the increase reflects improvements in dietary diversity, expanded school feeding schemes, and lower food inflation:

# Western Cape Mobility MEC, Isaac Sileku, has published a notice of intent to extend the extraordinary measures to close several mini-bus taxi routes for a further 30 days. Taxi routes between Somerset West, Mfuleni, Khayelitsha, and Strand were shut down for 30 days last month following a dispute between taxi associations, CATA and CODETA, which led to the killing of ten people. Sileku says the associations have 24 hours to comment on the notice:

# Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his government’s willingness to return to military action if his country is attacked again. Under a ceasefire agreement, Hamas returned the last 20 surviving hostages to Israel, but has handed back only nine of the 28 deceased captives. Addressing an official memorial ceremony at the Mount Herzl national cemetery in Jerusalem on Thursday, Netanyahu committed to securing the return of all the dead Israeli and foreign hostages. He adds that their fight against terrorism will continue with full force.

# Cricket: The Proteas Women are playing co-hostess Sri Lanka in a World Cup group match in Colombo today. South Africa is currently in third position on the log after consecutive victories over New Zealand, India, and Bangladesh following their opening loss to England. England is in the top position after three victories and Wednesday’s no-result against Pakistan, followed by defending champions Australia. India is fourth on the log, followed by New Zealand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-31-cents and the euro at 20-rand-26-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-27-cents and Bitcoin trades at 108-thousand-846-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-336-dollars-53-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 60-dollars-79-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….