News 11:00

BULLETIN 5 October 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC backs the police team sent to France investigating the Mthethwa death
# Senzo Mchunu says he is ready to testify at the Madlanga Commission
# And motorsport: George Russell is in pole position at the Singapore Grand Prix

# ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula says the party fully supports the South African police in sending a team of investigators to France to assist in the probe into ambassador Nathi Mthethwa’s death. Speaking during the ongoing ANC National Executive Committee meeting in Ekurhuleni, Mbalula said losing an ambassador under such circumstances should not be taken lightly. He added that the ANC welcomes cooperation with French authorities to ensure proper investigations are done:

# Suspended Police minister Senzo Mchunu says he is ready to testify before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. Currently on special leave, Mchunu is accused of political interference in the SAPS and disbanding the Political Killings Task Team. KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkwanazi previously alleged Mchunu was influenced to make the decision. Mchunu welcomes the chance to present his side and confirmed that he appeared before the ANC Integrity Committee:

# Japan’s governing party yesterday elected former Economic Security minister Sanae Takaichi as its new leader, making her likely to become the country’s first female prime minister. She is one of the most conservative members of the male-dominated Liberal Democratic Party. Takaichi replaces Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as the party hopes to regain public support and stay in power after major election losses. She is likely to be Japan’s next prime minister as the party remains by far the largest in the lower house, which determines the national leader, and because opposition groups are highly splintered.

# Sports news:

# Motorsport: George Russell claimed pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix, delivering a new lap record at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. The Mercedes driver narrowly outpaced Max Verstappen of the Red Bull team by 0.182 seconds. Title rivals Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris qualified 3rd and 5th, setting up a challenging race for the McLaren pair on the difficult street circuit, where overtaking is notoriously hard. Russell’s pole is only the second for Mercedes this season. His teammate Kimi Antonelli is in fourth. Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari made it to the sixth position.

# And golf: South Africa’s Garrick Higgo closed in on his second US PGA Tour title of 2025 yesterday, carding a five-under-par 67 to take a two-shot lead after three rounds of the Sanderson Farms Championship. Higgo fired six birdies with one bogey at the Jackson Country Club in Mississippi to build an 18-under-par total of 198. Leading by one to start the day, he was two strokes clear of Americans Steven Fisk and Danny Walker.

# And finally: The United Democratic Movement has hailed South Africa’s teachers as transmitters of knowledge and architects of the nation’s future in celebration of World Teachers’ Day, celebrated today. Acting secretary-general Zandile Phiri praised educators for nurturing future leaders despite overcrowded classrooms and poor resources. She called for improved working conditions, better pay, and the revival of teacher training and mentorship programmes to restore professionalism and ensure a safe, supportive learning environment nationwide.

Stay tuned for more news………….