News 13:00

BULLETIN 10 November 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Public Works minister reveals over 270 state properties are hijacked and 10-thousand are unused in various provinces
# The SA Water Chamber claims water mafias exploit municipal supply issues
# And, tennis: Gauff fights back to beat Zheng for the WTA Finals title

# Public Works minister Dean Macpherson has disclosed that 272 state properties have been hijacked, mostly in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo. Additionally, over ten-thousand state properties lie unused nationwide. The Department of Public Works has developed an asset optimisation strategy to lease 774 properties to generate revenue and address property underutilisation. The minister also outlined plans to tackle illegal occupations and land invasions through eviction, security measures, and partnerships with local municipalities and law enforcement.

# South Africa Water Chamber CEO Benoit le Roy warns that resolving municipal water distribution issues is key to eliminating water mafias exploiting supply shortages. Criminal groups reportedly damage infrastructure to sell water at high prices in various provinces including Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, he urges municipalities to take control to ensure residents have reliable access to water:

# Three suspects linked to East London taxi violence murders will appear in court soon following their arrests by a special task team.The suspects are allegedly responsible for the killings of two taxi owners, a driver, and a taxi association member between November 2023 and August 2024. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says police seized four pistols and an AK47 and that the matter is under investigation:

# Tennis: Coco Gauff became the youngest player to win the WTA Finals title in 20 years with a gruelling 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 victory over Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in Riyadh yesterday. The 20-year-old Gauff rallied back from 3-6, 1-3 down, and erased a one-break deficit twice in the decider, to overcome Zheng in three hours and four minutes – the second-longest WTA final in 2024.

# And, retired judge Johann Kriegler will head a three-member panel investigating allegations of misconduct by Stellenbosch University leaders. The allegations, raised by chancellor Edwin Cameron, suggest attempts to alter an investigative report recommending the closure of Wilgenhof residence. Joined by legal expert Karrisha Pillay and governance expert Themba Mosia, Kriegler’s panel aims to deliver findings to the university council on 2 December.

Stay tuned for more news………….