News 13:00

BULLETIN 13 October 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Bantu Holomisa will testify in the Cradock Four inquest at the High Court in Gqeberha
# All 20 surviving Israeli hostages have been handed over by Hamas
# And cricket: Australia cements its top position in the Women’s World Cup

# United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa is expected to testify in the reopened inquest into the 1985 killings of the Cradock Four, running from today to the 24th at the High Court in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape. He appears as former chairperson of the Transkei Military Council, with testimonies also expected from former Vlakplaas commander Eugene de Kock, and former Black Education minister Barend du Plessis. The families of Fort Calata, Matthew Goniwe, Sicelo Mhlauli, and Sparrow Mkonto hope this third inquest delivers accountability.

# The Road Traffic Management Corporation has deployed a team of crash investigators to Limpopo following a major bus accident on the N1 near Ingwe Lodge that claimed 42 lives. RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane says the bus overturned, leaving 17 men,18 women and seven children dead. Zwane says traffic flow remains affected as investigations continue, and motorists are urged to exercise caution and patience:

Moving abroad:

# Hamas has handed over the 20 surviving Israeli hostages under a ceasefire agreement, as US president Donald Trump and other world leaders geared up for a summit on Gaza. In Tel Aviv, a huge crowd which gathered to support hostage families, erupted in joy, tears and song as news broke of the first releases, though the pain for the loss of those who had not survived was palpable. Israel will in return free nearly two-thousand detainees held in its jails in exchange.

# Cricket: The Proteas Women play Bangladesj in the World Cup today after Australia cemented its top position on the log with a three-wicket victory over co-hostess India yesterday. India posted a very good 330 when their last wicket fell in the penultimate over, but the defending champion reached the target with an over to spare and seven wickets down. The other countries currently in semifinal contention are England, India and South Africa, while New Zealand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan are in the bottom part of the log.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-31-cents and the euro at 20-rand-10-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-10-cents and Bitcoin trades at 115-thousand-40-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-73-dand-dollars-41-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-56-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Stony Point Nature Reserve at Bettys Bay in the Western Cape’s Penguin Palooza celebrates African penguin conservation, drawing families to markets, exhibits, and penguin releases. With African penguins now critically endangered, CapeNature and the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds lead efforts to protect the species while boosting local tourism. CapeNature’s Petro van Rhyn says the event inspires action to safeguard penguins and South Africa’s marine ecosystems:

Stay tuned for more news………….