News 14:00

BULLETIN 12 November 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Water shortages halt in-person hearings at the Constitutional Court
# Two jets from US airlines are struck by gunfire over Haiti’s capital
# And cricket: Pakistan confirms India won’t take part in the Champions Trophy tournament in the country

# The Constitutional Court in Johannesburg has suspended in-person hearings due to an unreliable water supply affecting its operations since 1 November. According to the court, leaks in the building’s water system have been repaired, but daily refills from the City of Johannesburg are not guaranteed as the backup water tank only lasts one day. The office of the Chief Justice says it is in ongoing discussions with city authorities and Rand Water to resolve the issue promptly.

Meanwhile, AfriForum has urged the City of Johannesburg to undertake a large-scale initiative for the repair of these leakages and the continuous maintenance of the water network. In 2023/’24, the metro classified 46.2-percent of the water supply as non-revenue, meaning it is lost to leaks or not paid for. Johannesburg Water aims to reduce water consumption to 175 litres per person per day. AfriForum’s Lambert de Klerk says the water crisis is a result of the ANC’s poor municipal and provincial management:

# The DA is calling for the removal of Lesiba Malotana as head of the Gauteng Health Department. This follows an investigation into two tenders linked to alleged bribes exceeding 10-million-rand. The probe was centred on contracts for medical supplies and equipment, with Malotana accused of facilitating kickbacks. The party’s Jack Bloom demands a management overhaul to address corruption and inefficiency:

# Two jets from US-based airlines were struck by bullets while flying over Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince. Haitian authorities in reaction have suspended all flights in and out of the capital amid escalating gang violence. The country’s civil aviation authority later shared a warning to flight personnel that all air traffic operations at the airport were suspended. Haiti has been ridden with widespread gang activity and political chaos for nearly a year. Earlier this year coordinated gang attacks forced the closure of both the airport and main seaport in the capital.

# Cricket: Pakistan has confirmed India won’t participate in the International Cricket Council’s Champions Trophy tournament, taking place in the country in February and March. This will be the first time Pakistan will host an international tournament in almost 30-years. India’s decision is ascribed to ongoing political tensions between the two neighbouring countries. The ICC is yet to comment on the announcement. The tournament features the host and the seven highest-ranked teams from last year’s World Cup group stage in a 50-over format.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-8-cents and the euro at 19-rand-19-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-17-cents and Bitcoin trades at 87-thousand-884-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-591-dollars-48-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-55-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….