News 08:00

BULLETIN 22 October 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says the Mini Budget will enhance key government economic reforms
# Suliman Carrim will today face additional charges of alleged car smuggling
# And rugby: The Bok flanker De Villiers will again captain the Stormers

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement as a progressive budget, aimed at stabilising South Africa’s finances, strengthening economic growth and addressing the challenges faced by citizens. Finance minister Enoch Godongwana cut the 2026 growth forecast to 1.2-percent from 1.6-percent, and also identified a further 38.1-billion-rand in savings over the medium term. Ramaphosa says the budget will ensure that key government economic reforms are enhanced:

Meanwhile, the union federation COSATU has expressed disappointment with the Mini-budget, saying government missed an opportunity to introduce bold measures to address South Africa’s deepening socio-economic challenges. Godongwana tabled the budget in Parliament yesterday, where he stated that the country’s debt has stabilised while announcing a temporary fuel levy relief. COSATU’s Matthew Parks says Treasury again missed the chance to table a bold package against unemployment, which it put at 43.8-percent:

# North-West businessman Suliman Carrim is due to appear in the Musina Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo today. He is facing additional charges of attempted theft and money laundering linked to two vehicles belonging to Absa. Carrim is currently in custody awaiting the bail judgment in another matter where he faces charges of contravening the Commissions Act over the failure to appear before the Madlanga Commission. National Prosecuting Authority’s Limpopo regional spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi, says the case stems from an incident on the 22nd of July:

# Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov says Russia is prepared to resume trilateral negotiations with the US and Ukraine, focusing on establishing a postwar security framework. This follows Russian president Vladimir Putin’s meeting with US president Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, in the Russian city of St. Petersburg yesterday. Moscow has refused talks for months, believing it is winning on the battlefield. Ushakov has suggested that a new round could be held early next month in Abu Dhabi.

# Rugby: Springbok flanker Paul de Villiers will again lead the Stormers in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash with Wales’ Scarlets in Cape Town. Regular captain Ruhan Nel is still on the sidelines with a minor calf injury and won’t be rushed back. De Villiers is joined by fellow former Junior Springbok captains Riley Norton, Zachary Porthen and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in a match 23, while Markus Muller makes his first start for the team at inside centre. Kick-off at the Cape Town Stadium is at 4pm.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-38-cents and the euro at 18-rand-43-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-95-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 82-thousand-745-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-106-dollars-8-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 111-dollars-75-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….