News 11:00

BULLETIN 7 October 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says the people of the Middle East need peace and justice
# Natjoints is monitoring Cosatu’s nationwide strike
# And cricket: The Protea women are wary of England ahead of their T20 World Cup clash

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the escalating situation in the Middle East is of grave concern, as it threatens to plunge the region into a war in which civilians will inevitably bear the greatest brunt. Today marks the first anniversary of Hamas’s 7 October attacks on Israel, in which about one-thousand-200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage. In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa says South Africa remains committed to the peaceful resolution to ending the occupation of Palestine, upholding the tenets of international law, and advancing social justice. 

Meanwhile, ActionSA has expressed alarm at reports that allegedly knew about the questionable VBS-linked loan received by Justice minister Thembi Simelane. The president was reportedly informed about the more than 500-housand-rand loan ahead of Simelane’s original appointment to the cabinet in 2021. Last week, the party laid criminal charges against Simelane. ActionSA’s parliamentary leader, Athol Trollip, says they are increasingly sceptical of any genuine intention on the part of Ramaphosa to hold the minister accountable:

# The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure says it is currently monitoring Cosatu’s nationwide strike through its national coordination centre today. The union federation says the National Day of Action is against the crippling economic crisis in South Africa, which it says is characterised by joblessness, poverty, and inequality. Natjoints chairperson, Tebello Mosikili, says they will not tolerate any lawlessness:

# City Power in Johannesburg has warned it is pursuing government departments that in total owe more than 216-million-rand in unpaid electricity bills. Spokesperson Isaac Mangena confirmed that defaulting departments won’t be exempt from the city’s weekly power cut-off programme, targeting consumers, businesses and households. Despite ongoing discussions with the departments, Mangena emphasised that non-payment will lead to service disconnections as per the city’s credit control policy to ensure essential services continue.

# Cricket: Proteas Women opener Tazmin Brits says they are expecting a tough encounter against England in their second T20 World Cup Group B match in the United Arab Emirates today. South Africa defeated the West Indies by ten wickets in their opening match on Friday. The head-to-head record favours England, with 19 wins to South Africa’s four. Brits says they are wary of England’s formidable bowling attack, but they are well prepared:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-40-cents and the euro at 19-rand-10-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-84-cents and Bitcoin trades at 63-thousand-685-dollars-76-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-644-dollars-10-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-99-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….