News 13:00

BULLETIN 8 October 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Fikile Mbalula says the ANC continues to stand in unwavering solidarity with Palestine

# ActionSA is concerned by minister Senzo Mchunu dodging questions on the true cost of VIP protection

# And rugby: Jake White plans to play Canan Moodie increasingly at centre this season 

# ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula says the party continues to stand in unwavering solidarity with Palestine. Mbalula says it is now one year since what he referred to as apartheid Israel’s brutal attacks against the Palestinian people. In a post on X he says more than 43-thousand people have died since the start of the conflict on 7 October last year. Mbalula says the party calls for an end to the ongoing occupation and increasing violence. He says the ANC will continue to advocate for a just resolution based on human rights and dignity for all.

# ActionSA rejects Police minister Senzo Mchunu’s refusal to answer critical questions, about the true cost number of VIP protectors and luxury vehicles assigned to ministers and their deputies. For the financial year 2023/’24, the police’s total budget was just over 102-billion-rand of which 3.7-billion-rand went to protection services. ActionSA’s Matthew George says the minister citing vague security concerns for not providing the information is unacceptable:

Meanwhile, police have launched a recruitment drive to re-enlist former officials who left in good standing. This aims to enhance its detective capacity, with over 200 former members already reinstated in the 2023/’24 financial year. Applications close on 21 October. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says successful applicants will serve as constables, sergeants, or warrant officers, helping with investigations and case management. 

# Environmental rights activists, including Extinction Rebellion and the Green Connection, are today protesting against oil companies at the Africa Oil Week in Cape Town. They argue that oil companies are exploiting Africa’s resources for their own gain. Green Connection’s Liz McDaid urges Africa leaders to transition away from fossil fuels and invest in renewable energy sources: 

# Rugby: Bulls director of rugby Jake White plans to use Springbok utility back Canan Moodie increasingly at centre in this season’s United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup. He played at outside centre, paired with David Kriel, when the Pretoria team convincingly beat Ulster 47-21 at Loftus on Saturday. White says the number 13 jersey is probably the 21-year-old’s long-term future, praising the young player’s versatility. He says it’s incredible for such a young player to be able to play 13, 14 and 15.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-48-cents and the euro at 19-rand-22-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-91-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-330-dollars-47-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-638-dollars-18-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-18-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….