News 13:00

BULLETIN 17 November 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Information Regulator orders the release of Jacob Zuma’s tax records
# Ramaphosa says key economic indicators point to an emerging economic recovery
# And rugby: Eddie Jones calls on World Rugby to act on absurd red cards

# The Information Regulator has instructed the South African Revenue Services to release former president Jacob Zuma’s tax records. This follows an investigation which found SARS had no legal basis to deny access following a Promotion of Access to Information Act application. The records relate to the tax years 2010 to 2018. The regulator says South African law does not allow absolute information secrecy, especially where wrongdoing may be suspected. It has also raised concerns about many entities still failing to make PAIA manuals publicly accessible, saying this is a criminal offence.

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says with the upcoming G20 summit, government will be able to showcase a country and economy on the rise. He has attributed this to Standard and Poor upgrading South Africa’s sovereign credit rating for the first time in nearly a decade, and the unemployment rate falling to 31.9-percent. In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa says despite considerable headwinds, including a debilitating energy crisis and a difficult global trade environment, the country has stayed the course on economic recovery and is now seeing this pay off. 

# The DA’s Willie Aucamp has been sworn in as the new minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, replacing Dion George. In addition, the DA’s former national Social Development representative, Alexandra Abrahams, has taken office as deputy minister of Trade, Industry and Competition. She replaces Andrew Whitfield, who was removed in June for undertaking an unauthorised international trip to the US. Ramaphosa wished the newly-appointed leaders success.

# The Department of Water and Sanitation has issued a stern warning to members of the public to stay away from rivers, streams, and other water bodies during the continuous heavy rains in parts of the country. This is due to the significant dangers posed by rapidly rising water levels and strong currents. The department’s spokesperson, Mandla Mathebula, says, meanwhile, water outflows at the Vaal and Bloemhof dams have been increased:

# Rugby: Japan’s head coach, Eddie Jones, has criticised World Rugby’s current disciplinary framework after his side’s narrow 24-23 defeat to Wales in Cardiff. The Brave Blossoms had three players yellow-carded during the match, while Welsh winger Josh Adams had a yellow card upgraded to a red for a dangerous clear-out. Jones also described Springbok lock Franco Mostert’s red card for a dangerous tackle on Italy’s flyhalf Paolo Garbisi as absurd:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-8-cents and the euro at 19-rand-81-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-49-cents and Bitcoin trades at 95-thousand-694-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-86-dollars-55-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-57-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….