News 09:00

BULLETIN 8 November 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The TLU SA writes to Ramaphosa about the Expropriation Bill
# Martin Jackson who escaped from the Boksburg prison was rearrested
# And at least 18 were killed in post-election violence in Mozambique

# Agriculture union TLU SA has written to president Cyril Ramaphosa expressing its concerns over deputy president Paul Mashatile’s request to sign the Expropriation Bill as soon as possible. The bill, which was approved by Parliament in March and is waiting for Ramaphosa’s signature, outlines the process for expropriating property for public purposes or in the public interest. TLU SA’s, Bennie van Zyl, says the president must remove the controversial clause on expropriation without compensation from the bill:

# Eskom has signed a 125-million-rand grant agreement with Agence Française de Développement to advance the Tubatse pumped storage project in Limpopo. The 1.5-Gigga-Watt project, designed as a public-private partnership, aims to enhance energy storage capacity. CEO Dan Marokane says funding will assist in hiring a transaction adviser to conduct a feasibility study and finalise the business case by early 2026. He emphasises that the project is vital for supporting renewable energy growth under South Africa’s energy transition plan.

# The Department of Correctional Services has confirmed that Martin Jackson, who escaped from the Boksburg Correctional Facility in Johannesburg on Wednesday, has been rearrested. Imprisoned in April 2015, he is serving a 20-year sentence for robbery, theft and possession of a firearm with ammunition. The department’s spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo, says this swift apprehension demonstrates its commitment to ensuring that all inmates serve their sentences as mandated by the courts:

# Human Rights Watch says security forces have killed at least 18 people since the beginning of the post-election protests in Mozambique. The country has been rocked by violence since the ninth of October vote won by the Frelimo Party, which has been in power for almost 50 years. However, opposition parties and the European Union have alleged vote-rigging. The violence has resulted in South Africa closing the Lebombo port of entry, one of its busiest border crossings with Mozambique. Human Rights Watch says police must refrain from using unnecessary force.

# Soccer: Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is confident that the 23-man squad selected for the final two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, will get them over the line. Sitting second in Group K with eight points, Bafana’s path to qualification for AFCON in Morocco next year hinges on their matches against Uganda and South Sudan. Sage Stephens has earned his first call-up, while Percy Tau has been left out. Broos says Tau is not getting enough game time at Al Ahly:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-36-cents and the euro at 18-rand-72-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-52-cents and Bitcoin trades at 76-thousand-44-dollars-3-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-694-dollars-4-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-14-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….