News 08:00

BULLETIN 18 October 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Senzo Mchunu appeals for a fair hearing
# AfriForum challenges a false Skukuza National Park label on Google Maps
# And in rugby: A controversial victory for the Bulls in Galway

# Suspended Police minister Senzo Mchunu has called on the media and public to allow him a fair chance to explain the disbanding of the Political Killings Task Team. Testifying before Parliament’s ad hoc committee, Mchunu says President Cyril Ramaphosa was briefed and supported the decision. He stressed that he takes full responsibility for the PKTT disbandment, urging the public not to jump to conclusions as his testimony continues next Tuesday:

Meanwhile, political analyst Ongama Mtimka says Mchunu failed to provide valid administrative reasons for urgently disbanding the Political Killings Task Team. Speaking to SABC News, Mtimka argues that Mchunu’s explanations do not justify haste and contradict his other statements. He says such operational matters require broad consultation, suggesting the decision may reflect bad faith and deeper political influences linked to party funding and patronage networks:

# AfriForum is acting to correct a misleading Google Maps entry that labels the Kruger National Park as Skukuza National Park. The organisation says only the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment has the legal authority to rename national parks, and no such change has been gazetted. AfriForum’s Marais de Vaal has reported the error to Google and urged the minister to clarify that Kruger remains the park’s official name:

# US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky were split over the future of the war in Ukraine following their third sit-down at the White House on Friday, for a meeting that lasted several hours. Trump made it clear to Zelensky that he would not receive the long-range missiles was seeking. Shortly after the meeting, Trump pushed for a ceasefire along the current battle lines and called for an end to the killing. Zelensky said the meeting was a “pointed conversation,” but its outcome could help bring the war closer to an end.

# And sports news:

# Rugby: The Vodacom Bulls survived a late rally to earn a hard-fought 28-27 win over Irish side Connacht in their United Rugby Championship match in Galway on Friday night. Although there were defensive improvements from the Bulls, they still conceded four tries, while scoring three of their own. In a controversial incident, Bulls hooker Jan-Hendrik Wessels was accused by Josh Murphy of grabbing his groin at a ruck, prompting Murphy to lash out and strike Wessels in the face. Television replays showed no evidence of the ruck incident, but the blow in the face cost Murphy a 20-minute red card.

# And cricket: South African-born Marnus Labuschagne replaced injured allrounder Cameron Green in Australia’s squad for the one-day series against India. He was initially left out, but impressed with four domestic centuries in five innings, including in one-day matches. The three-match series starts in Perth today. Meanwhile, Indian batting heroes Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma may play in their last matches for their country in Australia. They have already retired from Tests and T20s and are expected to also leave ODIs soon.

Stay tuned for more news………….