News 13:00

BULLETIN 31 October 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ramaphosa says achieving genuine economic equality remains a work in progress
# O’Sullivan threatens with court action over the possible appointment of Mkhwanazi as Hawks head
# And, the US approves the sale of 500 much-needed Patriot missiles to Ukraine

# ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa’s political liberation must be matched by economic transformation. He addressed young people, professionals, entrepreneurs and creatives at an ANC Youth League engagement in Pretoria yesterday. Ramaphosa said achieving genuine economic equality remains a work in progress. He stressed the need to expand access to land, businesses, factories and technology, while creating decent jobs and ensuring all South Africans have opportunities to build wealth:

# The EFF says it is confident that it has resonated with the people on the ground throughout its election campaign. The party is holding its final election rally at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto today, as it makes its final push ahead of the local government elections. The EFF’s secretary-general Marshall Dlamini says they will prioritise jobs, better municipal services and community development in any coalition discussions:

# Forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan has threatened to take legal action to block the appointment of KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, as the new national head of the Hawks. Acting Police minister Firoz Cachalia has submitted a Cabinet memorandum seeking concurrence for the appointment, as required by the SAPS Act. O’Sullivan argues that Mkhwanazi is not a fit and proper person to lead the Hawks. He adds that his organisation, Forensics for Justice, would challenge the appointment unless the government suspends the process or opens it to public scrutiny.

# The Western Cape Mobility Department has welcomed the Western Cape High Court’s interim interdict against taxi associations CATA and CODETA. This follows renewed taxi violence this week, which claimed the lives of at least three people at the Palm taxi rank in Delft. Shootings were also reported at taxi ranks in Mfuleni, Khayelitsha and Gugulethu. Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku says the interdict prohibits violence, intimidation, road blockades, interference with public or private transport, unlawful route takeovers, damage to property and collecting money through threats:

# The US State Department has approved the sale ⁠of 500 Patriot PAC-3 missiles ⁠to Ukraine at a cost of about 35.11-billion-rand. Patriots are one of the few weapons capable of shooting down incoming ballistic missiles. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has long called for more missile interceptors to defend against escalating Russian aerial attacks. The State Department says Kyiv will pay for the purchase with funds from Canada, Germany and Norway as well as a loan from the European Union. It adds that the sale will improve Ukraine’s security.

# Soccer: Orlando Pirates striker Evidence Makgopa will be looking to extend his impressive scoring record against Kaizer Chiefs when the two sides meet in the Soweto derby today. Makgopa has scored four goals against Amakhosi, making him the leading scorer among current players from both teams in the fixture. He scored in the November 2024 derby, twice in May 2025, and again in Pirates’ three-nil victory in February this year. The Buccaneers and Amakhosi meet at FNB Stadium this afternoon, with kick-off at half-past three.

Stay tuned for more news………….