News 13:00

BULLETIN 1 November 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Corruption charges against Zizi Kodwa and Jehan Mackay are withdrawn
# The National Shelter Movement calls on government to prioritise gender-based violence
# And rugby: England’s captain defends the All Blacks’ haka

# Fraud and corruption charges against former Sports minister, Zizi Kodwa and former EOH director, Jehan Mackay have been withdrawn after representations from both men. Appearing in the Palm Ridge Commercial Crime Court, the State announced the Director of Public Prosecution’s decision. Kodwa, previously accused of accepting 1.6-million-rand in bribes, said he feels vindicated. He will resume his position in the ANC:

# The National Shelter Movement of South Africa is calling on government to comprehensively fund and support gender-based violence rehabilitation services to help survivors rebuild their lives. The movement’s Zubeda Dangor says the rate of GBV remain distressingly high and more than 51-percent of women in the country have experienced an attack at least once in their lives. She says resources for shelters and rehabilitation services are stretched dangerously thin due to continued funding reductions:

# The EFF has welcomed the decision of the National Assembly’s rules committee to adopt a rule to establish a portfolio committee for oversight over the Presidency. The decision, supported by a majority of political parties in the committee except for the ANC and the IFP, will strengthen Parliament’s mechanisms to hold the executive accountable, particularly the president. The EFF says the committee further agreed to establish a petitions committee and introduce interpolations as mechanisms to hold the executive accountable.

# Botswana’s president conceded defeat after his party, which has governed since 1966, suffered a resounding defeat in general elections. Mokgweetsi Masisi said he had already spoken to the leader of the left-leaning Umbrella for Democratic Change, Harvard-educated human rights lawyer Duma Boko, to arrange handing over the reigns of government. It had secured more than 22 parliamentarians which, when added to around a dozen for two other opposition parties, totalled more than 31 of the 61 seats up for grabs. The results are expected to be confirmed later today.

# Rugby: England captain Jamie George says he loves the history of the haka after his teammate Joe Marler urged New Zealand to ditch their pre-game ritual. With the two old rivals clashing at Twickenham tomorrow afternoon, Marler, who has not been included in England’s team, labelled the haka ridiculous. He later apologised. George responded yesterday, saying he always enjoys watching the Maori ritual war dance and has been lucky enough to face it a few times. The Test kicks of just after five, South African time.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-63-cents and the euro at 19-rand-15-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-76-cents and Bitcoin trades at 69-thousand-358-dollars-29-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-753-dollars-31-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-13-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….