News 11:00

BULLETIN 26 November 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Lamola reaffirms South Africa’s commitment to a solution in Palestine
# More than 29-thousand gender-based violence perpetrators were arrested within 18 months
# And rugby: The Blitzboks have clear goals for the new sevens season

# Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to justice, peace, and self-determination for Palestine. He participated in the 47th United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Lamola says the only way to achieve peace is a two-state solution, where Israel will be able to exist side-by-side in peace with a viable and fully independent Palestinian state within internationally recognised parameters:

# Police say the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Investigations unit has registered commendable progress in the fight against the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide in the past year. The unit is responsible for preventing, combatting, and investigating violence against women and children. National police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, says from April last year to September this year, 29-thousand-150 GBVF perpetrators were arrested, with 556 accused receiving life sentences:

# The Special Investigating Unit will investigate corruption and maladministration at Airports Company South Africa, the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, the eThekwini Metro, and the Ngqushwa Local Municipality. The investigation will include Acsa’s interest rate swap deals linked to state capture and irregular procurement of security services. The SIU says the findings may lead to criminal referrals to the National Prosecuting Authority and legal action to recover public funds.

# Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko will lead a multi-stakeholder engagement in Soweto this afternoon, focused on compliance and enforcement of food safety measures. The country is currently battling a foodborne illness outbreak. Over 20 children have died in Gauteng due to suspected food poisoning linked to spaza shops. The department’s spokesperson, Motalatale Modiba, says the MEC will also conduct inspections at local spaza shops and supermarkets to ensure compliance:

# Rugby: The Blitzboks have departed for the United Arab Emirates for the weekend’s start of the new world sevens series in Dubai, where they are the defending champions. The team ended the previous season on a high when they claimed bronze at the Paris Olympic Games, but could only finish seventh on the series log. Co-captain Impi Visser says they have clear goals for the season under new coach Philip Snyman, and apart from winning on the field they also want to be good people off the field.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-11-cents and the euro at 18-rand-97-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-72-cents and Bitcoin trades at 94-thousand-530-dollars-54-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-622-dollars a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-15-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….