News 08:00

BULLETIN 11 October 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa reinforces the government’s support for Chapter 9 institutions
# There are more calls for minister Tau to dissolve the National Lotteries Commission board
# And Israeli strikes kill 22 people in a densely populated Beirut neighbourhood

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged the support of the National Executive to the work of Chapter 9 institutions, to exercise their powers and perform their functions without fear, favour, or prejudice. He met the leadership of Chapter 9 institutions at his official residence Mahlamba Ndlopfu in Pretoria. Several ministers were present including Finance minister Enoch Godongwana. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, says broad issues were discussed including the common responsibility to protect and strengthen the country’s democracy:

# The United Civil Society in Action is calling on the Trade Industry and Competition minister, Parks Tau, to dissolve the National Lotteries Commission board immediately. The minister is under pressure to act on allegations of corruption, nepotism, conflicts of interest, and discrimination against NLC staff. These include the process currently underway to adjudicate the awarding of the next lottery licence, which is said to be at least 80-billion-rand over eight years. The organisation says the board must be removed as it has failed in its responsibilities.

# Tshwane Bus Service operations will return to normal today following Thursday’s partial disruptions on some of its routes due to a shortage of drivers. This comes after 31 drivers affiliated with the South African Municipal Workers’ Union appeared before the metro’s disciplinary committee. They were charged for participating in an unprotected strike in May. The metro’s spokesperson, Selby Bokaba, says the disciplinary hearings that were initially scheduled for two days were completed yesterday:

# At least 22 people were killed and 117 injured after Israeli airstrikes hit residential areas of central Beirut in Lebanon on Thursday evening. Among the dead was a family of eight, including three children. The strikes hit residential buildings in Bachoura’s two densely populated neighbourhoods, Nweiri and Basta. A senior Hezbollah official survived the attack. Israel’s United Nations ambassador, Danny Danon, told the UN Security Council that his country was focused on fighting Hezbollah:

# Cricket: The West Indies defeated Bangladesh by eight wickets in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, to boost their hopes of reaching the Women’s T20 World Cup semifinals. Spinner Karishma Ramharack took four wickets as Bangladesh were restricted to 103 for eight. In reply, the West Indies raced to the target in just 12.5 over. This victory has moved the West Indies to the top of Group B on four points, level with South Africa and England, with the latter having played one game less.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-48-cents and the euro at 19-rand-12-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-82-cents and Bitcoin trades at 60-thousand-591-dollars-93-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-641-dollars-74-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-9-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….