News 12:00

BULLETIN 19 November 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Malusi Gigaba is expected to step aside following corruption charges
# Three more sluice gates are opened at the Vaal Dam to increase water outflows
# And rugby: Mostert’s red card against Italy is downgraded to yellow

# Former Public Enterprises minister, Malusi Gigaba, is expected to step aside from his ANC duties after being charged with corruption linked to Transnet’s 54-billion-rand locomotive deal. He appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court in Gauteng yesterday as fifth accused in the state-capture case. Gigaba has maintained his innocence, but the ANC says he must comply with its step-aside rule. The case has been postponed to 30 January for the disclosure of the docket and the setting of a date for transfer to the High Court.

# The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure says it is confident in the safety and security preparations for this weekend’s G20 leaders’ summit in Johannesburg. Forty-two countries will be represented, with world leaders including French president Emmanuel Macron, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, and Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi also in attendance. NATJOINTS chairperson, Tebello Mosikili, has warned that lawlessness will not be tolerated:

# The Department of Water and Sanitation has opened three more sluice gates at the Vaal Dam, further increasing outflow following the opening of five gates on Monday. This is due to the ongoing rains in Gauteng and Mpumalanga. The department’s spokesperson, Mandla Mathebula, says the opening of eight sluice gates will increase water releases, and this may cause a possible overflowing of the riverbanks downstream, which will affect infrastructure built in lower-lying areas within the floodplain:

Moving abroad:

# US president Donald Trump has defended Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman on the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The US-based journalist and critic of Saudi Arabia’s government was killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2018. A US intelligence report determined the crown prince had approved of a plan to capture or kill Khashoggi. During Bin Salman’s visit to the White House yesterday, Trump shot back at a journalist who asked a question about Khashoggi’s murder:

# Rugby: Springbok lock Franco Mostert’s permanent red card in last weekend’s Test against Italy has been rescinded, making him available for Saturday’s clash with Ireland in Dublin. He was sent off in the 12th minute of the match in Turin, forcing the Boks to play the rest of the match with only 14 players. They nevertheless won 32-14. A disciplinary committee found the match officials erred in their decision, and downgraded the red to yellow. Coach Rassie Erasmus is announcing his team tomorrow.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-16-cents and the euro at 19-rand-87-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-55-cents and Bitcoin trades at 91-thousand-689-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-80-dollars-99-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-2-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….