News 14:00

BULLETIN 16th October 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Cabinet expresses disappointment over buckets of ARV drugs discovered at the bus accident scene in Limpopo
# The Madlanga commission and the media reach an agreement to hold proceedings in-camera
# And several South African artists are being considered for Grammy nominations

# Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, says cabinet expressed its disappointment over buckets of antiretroviral drugs and other prescription medicines which were discovered at the scene of this week’s bus accident in Limpopo that clamed 42 lives. She says there was no documentation for medical cargo form South Africa to Malawi and Zimbabwe. Ntshavheni says a full-scale investigation has been launched, and law enforcement agencies are also treating the accident as a potential case of pharmaceutical smuggling:

# The Madlanga commission of inquiry in Pretoria has reached an agreement with media houses News24 and Daily Maverick to hold witness X’s testimony in-camera today and tomorrow. The two publications have since withdrawn their opposition to the closed proceedings, and the commission will now continue behind closed doors. Chief evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson says the decision follows concerns over the sensitivity of the evidence and the impact it may have on ongoing investigations:

# The High Court in Pretoria has dismissed an urgent application by the dissolved South African Tourism board seeking reinstatement after Tourism minister Patricia de Lille disbanded it in August. The former members accused De Lille of fabricating reasons to dissolve the board, while she defended her actions as necessary for reform. Following the ruling, she confirmed the process to appoint new board members has begun.

# Rugby: English flyhalf George Ford revealed he turned down a lucrative offer from the new break-away R360 competition to keep playing for his country. He extended his contract with Sale Sharks for another three years after joining in 2022. The national union earlier warned players joining R360 won’t be eligible to play for England. Thirty-two-year-old Ford, who already played 102 Tests, says he’s passionate about playing for his country and still has a lot to offer.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-32-cents and the euro at 20-rand-20-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-28-cents and Bitcoin trades at 111-thousand-458-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-237-dollars-91-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-3-cents a barrel.

# And finally, several South African artists have earned consideration for the 2025 Grammy Awards. Among those honoured are Sjava, Oscar Mbo, Cici, Abavuki, and Heavy K. Leading the pack is Sjava, who is being considered for best global music album for Inkanyezi Live. Award-winning singer and songwriter Cici has earned consideration in the best African music performance category for her breakout single Thula. Deep house maestro Oscar Mbo is being considered in the best dance/electronic album category. The Grammy nominees will be announced on November 7. 

Stay tuned for more news………….