News 13:00

BULLETIN 17th October 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Mchunu maintains there was substantive justification for the disbandment of the political killings task team
# The National Dialogue enters its next phase
# And rugby: Kolisi and Barrett are looking forward to Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour next year

# Police minister Senzo Mchunu says his decision to disband the political killings task team was lawful and based on serious concerns raised by whistleblowers Mary de Haas and Patricia Mashale. He told Parliament’s ad hoc committee his letter to national police commissioner Fannie Masemola provided a summary of his 29 reasons for the disbandment. Mchunu admitted the tone of the letter could have been softer, but insisted the content was constitutional:

# The African United Borders Bus Trucks Association is calling on president Cyril Ramaphosa to sign a proclamation for an investigation into the illegal operations of cross-border buses. This comes after a bus accident on Sunday killed 43 people on the N1 near Louis Trichardt, with most of the passengers being from Zimbabwe and Malawi. The association’s chairperson, Mukhwathi Phumuzo, says that for years, buses have been allowed in and out of South Africa without permits or with fraudulent permits:

# The Presidency says the national dialogue process has reached a pivotal stage, with the completion of the nomination of sectoral representatives to the steering committee. The national convention held in August approved the mandate, responsibilities and composition of the committee. The Presidency says no less than 26 sectors have submitted nominations for the committee. It adds that the committee would be supported and guided by the Eminent Persons Group, prominent South Africans tasked with championing the dialogue and providing advice.

# Rugby: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi says the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour between South Africa and New Zealand next year will be huge, and something this generation will never forget. The All Blacks will tour South Africa in August and September for three Tests against the Boks, matches against the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and Lions, and another Test will be played at a neutral venue. New Zealand captain Scott Barrett says this is a huge rivalry founded on mutual respect, adding that it is shaping up to be a heck of a tour.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-44-cents and the euro at 20-rand-41-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-43-cents and Bitcoin trades at 105-thousand-25-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-335-dollars-43-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 60-dollars-29-cents a barrel.

# And finally, environmental organisations have urged G20 delegates attending the Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group ministerial meeting in Cape Town to oppose oil and gas drilling, protect oceans, and safeguard coastal livelihoods. The meeting ends today. Green Connection’s Lisa Makaula says they are calling for renewable energy, fair climate finance and clean energy projects:

Stay tuned for more news………….