News 09:00
BULLETIN 29 October 9 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# The Police Ministry steps up security preparations ahead of the local government elections
# Deputy minister Steenhuisen calls for greater localisation, investment and job creation in the car industry
# And, the UK prime minister rules out a general election in the next 12 months
# The Police Ministry says it has intensified its engagements with key stakeholders to assess and strengthen policing readiness ahead of the local government elections next week. A total of 29.2 million South Africans are registered to vote, with 2.6 million of them expected to cast their ballots during special voting next Monday and Tuesday. Police Ministry spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi says the engagements have been on the state of readiness and the measures being implemented to ensure effective coordination among law enforcement agencies:
# Deputy minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, John Steenhuisen, is calling for greater localisation, investment and job creation in South Africa’s automotive aftermarket industry. The industry traded approximately 933-billion-rand in 2025, contributing 202.6-billion-rand to gross domestic product. The sector supports more than 310-thousand jobs, representing approximately 70-percent of automotive employment, across more than 23-thousand businesses, predominantly small and medium-sized enterprises. Steenhuisen says the country has the engineering expertise, established distribution networks and industrial capabilities to become a leading automotive aftermarket hub for Africa.
# The GOOD Party says the South African Human Rights Commission must be commended for stepping up to block the transfer of 49 properties, including the Good Hope Centre. The commission wants the Western Cape High Court to halt the transfer pending a review of the City of Cape Town’s decision to dispose of the properties. GOOD’s Secretary-General, Brett Herron, says when half a million families don’t own land or have a dignified place to live, publicly owned land must be used for good:
# UK prime minister Andy Burnham has ruled out calling an early general election in the next 12 months, amid ongoing speculation that he could seek to consolidate his position. This comes as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has called for an early election, claiming that the prime minister does not have a mandate. The next general election must be held by August 2029. Burnham says his focus is on governing, as Britain is starting to regain its momentum, sense of positivity and direction:
# Rugby: Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi will start his Stormers duty immediately after being picked on the bench for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash with Irish side Ulster in Cape Town. He was announced as the hosts’ new signing after leaving the Sharks. Vernon Paulo will wear the number two jersey, with the squad showing 11 changes from last weekend’s victory over Scarlets. Captain Ruhan Nel returns from injury, while Yaqeen Ahmed, who can make his Bok debut next month, and Cobus Reinach will be the half-back pairing.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-61-cents and the euro at 18-rand-52-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-14-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 79-thousand-771-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-38-dollars-8-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 115-dollars-28-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….