News 12:00

BULLETIN 23 October 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Reserve Bank unblocks nine-billion-rand for Steinhoff’s successor, Ibex
# ActionSA wants urgent intervention to stop the alarming poisoning of children
# And an Italian surfer dies in Indonesia after being impaled by a swordfish

# The SA Reserve Bank has lifted a freeze on nine-billion-rand for Steinhoff’s successor, Ibex, allowing the company to repay creditors and advisors. However, a 6.2-billion-rand forfeiture tied to exchange control violations remains in place. Ibex argues the bank’s initial block was unlawful, citing improper approval. According to News24, a legal battle continues over the forfeiture, with the case expected to be heard next year.

# ActionSA has submitted a motion to Parliament calling for urgent intervention to stop the alarming poisoning of children linked to spaza shops. In Gauteng alone, 203 food poisoning cases have been recorded between February and September, resulting in six fatalities. ActionSA’s Lerato Ngobeni says local spaza shops have been predominantly taken over by foreign nationals, and yet health inspections on these premises have not been conducted regularly:

# Rise Mzansi has called for improved conditions for learners sitting for their matric exams. The party criticised the current state of many schools, citing that two-thousand still have pit latrines, and about four-thousand schools expose learners to asbestos. In his address at the National Assembly, Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi urged government to prioritise mental health support for learners, recommending continued counselling up to a set period after the exam results are announced:  

# An Italian surfer has died after being impaled in the chest by a sharp-billed fish while surfing off Indonesia’s West Sumatra coast. Despite the brave efforts of her surfing partner, local resort staff and doctors, 26-year-old Giulia Manfrini couldn’t be saved. According to a medical report, she suffered a stab wound to the upper left chest with a depth of about five centimetres.

# Rugby: The All Blacks will have a new captain when they face Japan on Saturday. Lock Patrick Tuipulotu will lead the team in place of regular skipper Scott Barrett, who won’t travel to Yokohama. Damian McKenzie replaces Beauden Barrett at flyhalf along scrumhalf Cam Roigard, who will make his first appearance for the team this year. Former captain Sam Cane will start at loose forward in his 101st Test. New Zealand’s end-of-year tour also include matches against England, Ireland, France and Italy.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-56-cents and the euro at 18-rand-94-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-78-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-836-dollars-97-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-755-dollars-85-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-57-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….