News 15:00

BULLETIN 29 November 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile denounces the unauthorised BELA Act agreement
# Rugby: The Blitzboks are ready for the Dubai Sevens challenge
# And: An Australian teenage news boss calls the social media ban for under-16s a ‘really bad idea’

# Deputy president Paul Mashatile says the agreement on the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act, reportedly reached between Basic Education minister Siviwe Gwarube, Solidarity, and AfriForum, is not part of the official government of national unity process. He clarified that the agreement bypasses the approved procedures and undermines key parliamentary and presidential roles. Mashatile urges all parties to adhere to the official channels. He assures that discussions will continue to find a collective solution, with further details on the next meeting to be shared soon.

# Gauteng police commissioner Tommy Mthombeni has reported that serious crime have reduced in 15 of 17 communities from April to September. Mthombeni highlights a 7.6-percent decline in contact crimes like murder and assault. In addition 413 spaza shops were closed, and 227 illegal immigrants arrested. Mthombeni says however sexual offences, including rape, have risen, as well as commercial crimes and fraud:

# Zimbabwe and Lesotho exemption permit holders have until the end of day to apply for new permits or waivers allowing them to live and work in South Africa. Those failing to apply must submit under a new points-based system in Zimbabwe. Xpatweb managing director Marisa Jacobs told Newzroom Afrika that delays at VFS Global offices complicate submissions, however existing visa applicants remain protected during processing. She also says permit holders who don’t submit their applications, risk residing in the country illegally.

# Rugby: The Blitzboks are primed for the start of the new sevens season in Dubai this weekend. Head coach Philip Snyman says his squad is well-prepared, emphasising strong defense and exploiting turnovers. South Africa faces Australia, Kenya, and France in Pool A. Snyman says the aim is to build on last season’s bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Paris:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-4-cents and the euro at 19-rand-5-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-89-cents and Bitcoin trades at 96-thousand-616-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-663-dollars-67-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-21-cents a barrel.

# And finally: An Australian teenage news boss says legislation barring under-16s from social media is a really bad idea that will stifle young people’s creativity. Seventeen-year-old Leo Puglisi founded what claims to be the only national news streaming platform run by teens. Based in his bedroom at his parent’s house in Melbourne, Puglisi began uploading local news videos to YouTube channel 6 News in 2019. He now has ten reporters aged between 15 and their late teens, with 29-thousand-600 subscribers and 40-thousand-700 more on X.

Stay tuned for more news………….