News 14:00

BULLETIN 7 November 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Julius Malema is unfazed by Dali Mpofu’s departure to join the MK Party
# Mozambique’s Maputo port halts cargo intake amid post-election unrest
# And motorsport: Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu are leaving Sauber

# EFF leader Julius Malema remains unmoved by former national chairperson Dali Mpofu’s decision to join former president Jacob Zuma’s MK Party. Mpofu expressed confidence in the MK Party’s potential to achieve total liberation. Responding to Mpofu’s exit message on X, Malema anticipates more senior departures but says the EFF stands strong, while it continues to screen infiltrators ahead of its upcoming conference.

# The Freedom Front Plus says the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill of 2022 will be referred to the National Economic Development and Labour Council for consultation and consideration. Spokesperson Philip van Staden says over the course of the last few months, political parties put pressure on the ANC to refer the bill to Nedlac before the parliamentary portfolio committee on Health proceeds with its processing:

# The Transnet National Ports Authority is calling on interested parties to submit proposals for a pilot project, to use green and cleaner fuels for its selected diesel-operated tugboat fleet. The project is in line with parent company Transnet’s commitment to bolster South Africa’s transition journey to a low-carbon economy focused on cleaner, renewable, and green fuels. The authority’s Phyllis Difeto says plans to fit its tugboat fleet with low-to-no-carbon fuel is a significant step towards decarbonising shipping and reducing the carbon footprint of its marine craft.

# The port of Maputo in Mozambique has stopped accepting cargo due to post-election-related unrest. Riots at Mozambique’s main border with South Africa led to the partial closure of the Lebombo post, leaving hundreds of trucks carrying goods like coal stranded. Tensions have soared following last month’s disputed election results that sparked protests, prompting officials to seek refuge across the border. The temporary closure of the port which is a major export route for chrome, may affect the economy.

# Motorsport: Formula One team Sauber will part ways with drivers Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Zhou Guanyu from China at the end of the season after three years together. The pair have had a difficult season, having scored no points after 21 races. Sauber has confirmed that Formula Two championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto will join the team alongside German Nico Hulkenberg next season, with the Brazilian signing a multi-year deal. Bottas says he is looking forward to seeing what the future holds:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-41-cents and the euro at 18-rand-73-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-48-cents and Bitcoin trades at 74-thousand-956-dollars-50-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-665-dollars-16-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-50-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….