News 11:00

BULLETIN 28 November 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Government says the latest audit outcomes show progress in financial management
# TLU SA launches a project against expropriation without compensation
# And cricket: New Zealand’s Kane Williamson impresses in the first Test against England

# Government says the latest national and provincial audit outcomes show that progress has been made in strengthening financial and performance management in these two spheres of government. Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke revealed that in the 2018/’19 financial year, there were only 93 clean audits, compared with last year’s 142. Government acknowledges the concerns raised by Maluleke regarding fruitless and wasteful expenditure. It adds that there is a need to strengthen oversight, accountability, and compliance mechanisms.

# Agriculture union TLU SA has launched Project Ten-thousand, a call to fight expropriation without compensation and property rights. The Expropriation Amendment Bill, already approved by both houses of Parliament, is on president Cyril Ramaphosa’s desk, ready to be signed. TLU SA’s Bennie van Zyl says the upcoming legal fights regarding expropriation are a struggle for justice, fairness, and the protection of the fundamental freedoms of every South African:

# Eastern Cape Education MEC, Fundile Gade, has condemned threats made against chief financial official Nokuthula Ngcingwana, demanding her resignation under threat of death. Gade says a police case has been opened, and Ngcingwana is on special leave while an acting CFO ensures continuity. The MEC urges employees to report extortion attempts. He vows relentless efforts to identify the culprits and address criminality in the department, emphasising the seriousness of the matter.

# The United Nations Humanitarian Affairs Office says the death toll of humanitarian workers this year is the deadliest on record. To date, 282 aid workers have been killed globally this year in places such as Gaza and Sudan. The UN’s Lisa Doughten says despite the very real dangers, humanitarian and UN personnel continue to stay and deliver, and have provided life-saving support to more than 116-million people worldwide this year:

# Cricket: Kane Williamson scored 93 as New Zealand posted 319 for eight against England at stumps on day one of the first Test in Christchurch. Williamson, who anchored a recovery after the hosts lost a wicket in the second over, fell agonisingly short of what would have been a 33rd Test century. His dismissal trigged a wobble from the Black Caps, losing four wickets in the final session of the day. Williamson says the match is evenly poised:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-21-cents and the euro at 19-rand-21-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-6-cents and Bitcoin trades at 95-thousand-578-dollars-52-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-637-dollars-63-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-91-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….