News 14:00

BULLETIN 13 October 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Bantu Holomisa will testify in the Cradock Four inquest at the High Court in Gqeberha
# ActionSA says the ANC breached the Political Party Funding Act with the Ezulweni Investments debt
# And cricket: Pat Cummins says he is unlikely to be ready for the first Ashes Test in Perth

# United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa is expected to testify in the reopened inquest into the 1985 killings of the Cradock Four, running from today to the 24th at the High Court in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape. He appears as former chairperson of the Transkei Military Council, with testimonies also expected from former Vlakplaas commander Eugene de Kock, and former Black Education minister Barend du Plessis. The families of Fort Calata, Matthew Goniwe, Sicelo Mhlauli, and Sparrow Mkonto hope this third inquest delivers accountability.

# ActionSA says after nearly two years of challenging the ANC’s debt settlement agreement with Ezulweni Investments, it has now obtained the confidential agreement. The party’s chairperson, Michael Beaumont, says the agreement shows the ANC breached the provisions of the Political Party Funding Act. He says the ANC placed an order of election materials for its 2024 campaign at 190- million-rand to write off the historic debt with Ezulweni Investments, for goods independently valued at only 125-million-rand:

# South Africa is set to host the final G20 environment and climate sustainability working group meetings in Cape Town from today until Friday. The meetings will also mark the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement while showcasing South Africa’s Climate Change Act, just energy transition investment plan, and biodiversity initiatives. Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment minister Dion George will lead discussions aimed at adopting the G20 ministerial declaration on global environmental governance:

# Cricket: Australian captain Pat Cummins has conceded that he is unlikely to be fit for next month’s Ashes series opener against England in Perth. The 32-year-old fast bowler has not played since July when he suffered a back injury in a Test against the West Indies. Cummins, who has resumed running in training, says he needs at least four weeks of bowling in the nets to prepare for a Test:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-31-cents and the euro at 20-rand-10-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-10-cents and Bitcoin trades at 115-thousand-and-41-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-72-dollars-51-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-57-cents a barrel.

# And finally: A group of committed people are preparing to walk 700 kilometres from Greenfields in Ekurhuleni to Durban next Wednesday, to raise funds for the Pariio Community Skills Centre. The centre will provide practical skills training and work opportunities for young people in South Africa, responding to high unemployment rates. The skills centre will start with sewing and baking classes. There are currently over 60 athletes who will join the virtual run as part of the fundraising campaign.

Stay tuned for more news………….