News 14:00

BULLETIN 1 November 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The NPA says dropping charges against Kodwa and Mackay was in the interest of justice
# The DA reiterates its rejection of the Firearms Control Amendment Bill
# And rugby: Scotland include three South African-born players in the line-up against Fiji

# The National Prosecuting Authority has announced that circumstances affecting the case against former Sport minister Zizi Kodwa and former EOH director Jehan Mackay have changed. Speaking outside the Palm Ridge Commercial Crime Court, NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane confirmed that director of public prosecution Andrew Chauke abandoned the prosecution following successful representations, emphasising the decision was fair and in the interest of justice:

# The DA has reiterated its rejection of the Firearms Control Amendment Bill, saying it will only hamper South Africans’ ability to protect themselves against dangerous criminals. The bill proposes amongst other things, the reduction in the quantity of ammunition a licensed firearm holder may possess. The DA’s, Ofentse Mokae, says they have also called for a national firearms audit of all police stations across the country, as more than 700 guns are lost or stolen every year:

# South Africa plans to revise black empowerment rules requiring 30-percent equity ownership by historically disadvantaged groups for foreign firms. Trade, Industry and Competition minister Parks Tau acknowledged that these requirements have posed challenges for foreign investors. Amid rising global trade tensions, he emphasised the need to strengthen trade ties within Africa and with China, the country’s largest trade partner. The revisions aim to boost foreign investment while enhancing regional integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area.

# Rugby: Three South African-born players have been included in Scotland’s match-day 23 for tomorrow’s clash against Fiji at Murrayfield. Loosehead prop Pierre Schoeman and left winger Duhan van der Merwe both start, while hooker Dylan Richardson is in line to earn his fourth Test cap off the bench. Meanwhile, Darcy Graham will make his first Scotland appearance in over a year after being included in the starting 15. Glasgow centre Sione Tuipulotu will lead Scotland for the first time since being appointed captain.

# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-63-cents and the euro at 19-rand-14-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-76-cents and Bitcoin trades at 69-thousand-445-dollars-20-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-749-dollars-22-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-13-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Mauritius has blocked access to social media, just days ahead of a general election, as tensions mount over a wire-tapping scandal. The island has been gripped by scandal since secret recordings of phone calls by politicians, journalists, members of civil society and even foreign diplomats began being leaked online last month. Prime minister Pravind Kumar says internet service providers had been ordered to block access to the most widely used social networks. The blockage is due to last until 11 November, a day after the election.

Stay tuned for more news………….