News 08:00

BULLETIN 27 November 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The MK-party rejects a private member’s bill to relieve the burden on the NPA
# The Basic Education Department is struggling with underspending across all provinces
# And nine suspects were arrested during a foiled kidnapping

# The MK Party has rejected DA Glynnis Breytenbach’s private members’ bill for establishing an independent anti-corruption commission. The Constitution 21st Amendment Bill will establish the anti-corruption commission, a body tasked with investigating and prosecuting serious corruption and high-level organised crime. The MK Party’s, Mzwanele Manyi, says the anti-corruption commission would lead to the duplication of mandates, institutional fragmentation, and an overlap with the National Prosecuting Authority and the Hawks:

# The Department of Basic Education says provincial underspending on infrastructure remains a critical issue. Limpopo has spent just 41-percent of its 1.5-billion-rand allocation budget as of mid-November. The Eastern Cape was allocated 1.8-billion-rand for the 2024-2025 financial year and has spent 70-percent of its budget. The department’s director general, Mathanzima Mweli, says they will continue redirecting funds from provinces that are failing to use their allocations effectively. 

# Gauteng police arrested nine suspects and seized three firearms and a vehicle during a foiled kidnapping attempt in Ivory Park on Tuesday. An operation targeted a syndicate planning to kidnap a Benoni businessman. Police spokesperson, Amanda van Wyk, says another suspect, recently released from prison, was fatally wounded:

# Israel and militant group Hezbollah have agreed to a US-backed ceasefire deal in Lebanon. The 60-day agreement will see Israel gradually withdrawing its troops from Lebanon’s south, as the Lebanese government forces regain control of an area currently held by Hezbollah. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says there are three reasons for this ceasefire. These are to focus on the threat from Iran, replenish depleted arms supplies, and isolate Hamas. He warns that Israel won’t hesitate to strike if Hezbollah breaks the agreed deal.

# Rugby: Ireland will be without four players for Saturday’s test against Australia in Dublin. Jamie Osborne and Jacob Stockdale sustained injuries during the 52-17 win over Fiji last Saturday. Ryan Baird suffered a head injury in the victory over Argentina earlier this month, while Tadhg Furlong has not featured at all this month due to a hamstring problem. Forwards coach Paul O’Connell says facing Australia will be a massive challenge:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-19-cents and the euro at 19-rand-6-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-86-cents and Bitcoin trades at 92-thousand-690-dollars-59-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-636-dollars-19-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-74-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….