News 09:00

BULLETIN 27 October 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A forensic ballistics expert of the police is set to testify at the Madlanga Commission today
# The DA says minister Kubayi will account for the worsening plight of magistrates
# And president Ramaphosa is awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Malaya

# The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry will hear testimony from a South African Police Service forensic ballistics expert in Pretoria today. The commission is investigating allegations of criminality, political interference, and corruption within the criminal justice system. The forensic ballistics expert is expected to provide evidence linked to the murder of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart, believed to be a case of mistaken identity. Last week, the commission heard testimonies from three secret witnesses, who exposed the interference of some senior SAPS officials in Swart’s case, and implicated deputy judge president Aubrey Ledwaba.

# The ANC says it welcomes the courageous stance taken by Afrikaans-speaking South Africans. Nearly 50 Afrikaner academics, church leaders, and other professionals authored and co-signed a letter titled, Not in our Name: Afrikaners Respond to the Misuse of Their Story in US Politics. In the letter, they reject the US narrative that casts Afrikaners as victims of racial persecution in post-apartheid South Africa. ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu says they note with appreciation the group’s clear rejection of attempts to distort the country’s history and weaponise it to advance far-right agendas abroad.

# The DA has welcomed confirmation that Justice and Constitutional Development minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, will appear before the National Council of Provinces’ Select Committee on Security and Justice on Wednesday. She is set to address the worsening plights of magistrates across the country. The DA’s Mzamo Billy says the minister must account for the department’s failure to address poor salaries, unsafe working conditions, and low morale among magistrates:

# Soccer: Arsenal have extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table following a 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium. Former Palace player Eberechi Eze scored the only goal of the match to give the Gunners their seventh straight win in all competitions. Arsenal are now four points clear at the top of the table, and seven points clear of champions Liverpool. Manager Mikel Arteta says this win was important:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-21-cents and the euro at 20-rand-1-cent. One British pound costs 22-rand-92-cents and Bitcoin trades at 115-thousand-248-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-63-dollars a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-28-cents a barrel.

# And finally, the University of Malaya in Malaysia has conferred an honorary doctorate in International Relations to president Cyril Ramaphosa. This is in recognition of his outstanding leadership, contributions to international relations, and dedication to global development. He is only the second South African, after the late former president Nelson Mandela, to receive this distinction. Ramaphosa says this honour recognises the struggle of the South African people for democracy and freedom:

Stay tuned for more news………….