News 14:00

BULLETIN 11 November 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA urges National Treasury and the Auditor General to probe City Power’s 16-billion-rand debt crisis
# Rugby: England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is ruled out of the Springboks clash
# And a Gauteng mother and daughter reunite after being separated for over 20 years

# The DA in Johannesburg urges the National Treasury and the Auditor General to investigate City Power’s 16-billion-rand debt, citing possible financial mismanagement. The party blames mayor Dada Morero for not taking urgent action to resolve the utility’s debt to Eskom, which now risks citywide power cuts. The DA’s Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku argues residents and businesses should not bear the cost of City Power’s mismanagement:

Meanwhile, the DA’s Health spokesperson in Gauteng, Jack Bloom, has revealed that the provincial Health Department owes 69 suppliers 743-million-rand, some unpaid for over a year. Bloom criticised the department’s financial mismanagement, noting supplier reluctance to continue services due to delayed payments, impacting patient care. He calls for an overhaul of the department’s leadership, suggesting they adopt best practices from the Western Cape Health Department.

# The Departments of Transport and of Basic Education are joining forces to explore ways of securing safe learner transport. As discussed during a recent briefing to Parliament’s select committee on Education, Sciences, and Creative Industries, government aims to eventually cover all learners under its subsidised transport system. According to the SABC, 667-thousand students use the National Learner Transport Programme, while 2.8-million rely on private learner transport. Committee chairperson Makhi Feni says strategies are needed to address the current shortfall in transport funding.

# Rugby: A head injury has ruled out England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso from the clash against South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday. He sustained the injury in England’s 42-37 defeat to Australia. Tom Curry will also miss the match against the Springboks. Ted Hill has been called up as a back-row cover to fill the void created by Curry’s absence, while Tom Roebuck has been summoned to provide a back-three alternative to Feyi-Waboso. England have lost five of their last six matches.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-73-cents and the euro at 18-rand-94-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-87-cents and Bitcoin trades at 81-thousand-815-dollars-5-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-672-dollars-36-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-1-cent a barrel.

# And finally: The Department of Social Development says it has been able to facilitate the reunion of a Gauteng mother with her daughter, whom she gave up for adoption 22 years ago. The daughter now lives with her adoptive family in the Netherlands. This past Saturday marked World Adoption Day. The department’s spokesperson, Bathembu Futshane, says adoption offers children the opportunity for a loving, stable home and can change lives forever:

Stay tuned for more news………….