News 14:00

BULLETIN 1 October 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# AfriForum hails Julius Malema’s guilty verdict as a victory for the rule of law
# Cosatu is confident government will secure a trade deal with the US
# And tennis: Jannik Sinner beats an American teenager to clinch the China Open title

# AfriForum has welcomed the East London Magistrate’s Court in the Eastern Cape’s ruling finding EFF leader Julius Malema guilty on five firearm-related charges. The case stems from Malema firing shots at the party’s 2018 birthday rally in Mdantsane. AfriForum, which laid the charges, says justice has prevailed despite delays. Spokesperson Jacques Broodryk says the verdict proves no one is untouchable, and calls it a major victory for accountability and the rule of law:

# The Madlanga Commission has adjourned after Crime Intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo fell ill before taking the stand to continue testifying. Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels says a decision on whether proceedings will resume tomorrow will be announced later today. Khumalo was giving evidence on alleged links between businessmen Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala and Brown Mogotsi, and suspended Police minister Senzo Mchunu. Michaels noted the hearings remain in phase one:

# Union federation Cosatu remains confident government will secure a positive and mutually beneficial trade agreement with the US. South Africa is trying to persuade president Donald Trump’s administration to lower the 30-percent tariff imposed on its exports to the US in August. Cosatu’s spokesperson, Matthew Parks, says any new trade agreement must defend and boost South African jobs and industries, and affirm the country’s constitutionally-mandated transformation journey:

# The Munich Oktoberfest grounds will remain temporarily closed after a fire and explosions rocked a building elsewhere in the southern city. The organisers of the beer festival said on their website that a “bomb threat” had been received. Police said explosive devices had been found in the residential building in northern Munich and they were investigating any possible link to the Oktoberfest, held annually near the centre of the Bavarian capital.

# Tennis: World number two Jannik Sinner clinched the China Open title for the second time after he easily beat American teenager Learner Tien (Tién) in the final in Beijing. This was the Italian’s third title of the season, extending his overall tally to 21. Sinner also won in the Chinese capital in 2023 before going down to great rival, Spanish world number one Carlos Alcaraz, in the final last year. Sinner will be the top-seed in the Shanghai Masters after Alcaraz withdrew through injury after clinching the Japanese Open.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-18-cents and the euro at 20-rand-15-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-14-cents and Bitcoin trades at 116-thousand-362-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-887-dollars-92-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-84-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….