News 11:00

BULLETIN 11 October 11am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A horrific accident in KwaZulu-Natal claims the lives of eight people
# The African Transformation Movement criticises the NPA for declining to prosecute Ramaphosa
# And the European Union condemns an attack on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon

# Eight people, including six school children, have been killed in an accident on the N2 in Mandeni, northern KwaZulu-Natal this morning. A driver of a vehicle transporting learners collided with a truck, causing it to veer off the road and overturn. A ninth person was critically injured. The Department of Transport and Human Settlements’ spokesperson, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, says search and rescue personnel are on the scene searching for children who are suspected to be missing:

# The African Transformation Movement has criticised the National Prosecuting Authority for declining to prosecute anyone concerning the Phala Phala case. This stems from a criminal complaint laid by former State Security Agency head Arthur Fraser against president Cyril Ramaphosa and former Presidential Protection Unit head Wally Rhoode. The complaint was related to the theft of foreign currency from the president’s Limpopo farm in 2020. ATM’s spokesperson, Zama Ntshona, says the NPA’s decision is legally flawed:

# Action Society remains cautiously optimistic about the performance of ministers in the new government of national unity, 100 days into their roles. While they commend Police minister Senzo Mchunu’s crime-fighting efforts and Correctional Services minister Pieter Groenewald’s focus on parole backlogs, concerns remain about Justice minister Thembi Simelane’s VBS Bank corruption scandal. The organisation’s Juanita du Preez criticised Social Development minister Sisisi Tolashe for limited action on violence against women and children:  

# European Union chief Charles Michel has condemned attacks on United Nations peace operations in Lebanon, saying it is unacceptable and irresponsible. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, reported yesterday that two peacekeepers were injured when personnel of an Israeli tank fired toward an observation tower at its headquarters in the southern city of Naqoura. The Israeli Defence Forces have accused Hezbollah of operating in areas near UNIFIL posts. Michel says attacks on peacekeepers are a grave violation of international humanitarian law.

# Motorsport: Haas and Toyota have agreed to a multi-year technical partnership, which will see the Japanese manufacturer return to Formula One after a 15-year absence. Toyota, which had its own works team, will become Haas’ official technical partner through its Toyota Gazoo Racing division. As part of the agreement, Toyota will provide the design, technical and manufacturing services, while Haas will give technical expertise and commercial benefits. Toyota Gazoo’s logo will appear on Haas’ cars at the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, next weekend.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-44-cents and the euro at 19-rand-7-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-77-cents and Bitcoin trades at 60-thousand-771-dollars-84-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-639-dollars-87-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-45-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….