News 15:00

BULLETIN 9 October 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Schreiber blames conflicting court rulings for the immigration challenges
# Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and is wife face new torture charges in America
# And cricket: Proteas putting pressure on Australia on day one of 1st Test

# Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber says conflicting court rulings on asylum seekers have complicated immigration procedures. One judgment requires asylum seekers to be released while their applications are processed, while another allows detention. Schreiber told the SABC that they have approached the courts for clarity. A full court is expected to consider the matter later this month. He warns that releasing people arrested for illegal entry could undermine immigration law enforcement:

# The Climate Finance Accelerator has helped 43 South African businesses and projects secure 1.6-trillion-rand in funding, with a further 30-million dollars raised subsequently. GreenCape’s Green Finance Programme manager Lisa Johannson shared the figures at an investor engagement event in Cape Town. The UK-supported initiative helps climate-focused businesses become investment-ready rather than providing direct funding. Eight companies were selected for the 2026 programme from 146 applications, covering sectors including renewable energy, sustainable mobility, the circular economy and water.

# Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been charged with conspiring to torture political opponents and American citizens. The additional charges were filed in a New York federal court, adding to existing drug trafficking and weapons allegations. US prosecutors allege the couple helped oversee a system of repression involving the torture of detainees to silence opposition and maintain their grip on power. Both deny the original charges and have not yet entered pleas to the new allegations. They were captured by US forces in January and remain in detention.

# Soccer: Open Tickets has dismissed claims that KwaZulu-Natal supporters were deliberately prevented from buying tickets for the MTN8 final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates taking place tomorrow. The ticketing system crashed shortly after sales opened last Friday, sparking frustration and allegations of unfair access. Open Ticket CEO Marnus van Niekerk insists all supporters had an equal opportunity to purchase tickets, adding that sales statistics support the company’s position:

# Cricket: South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder trapped Marnus Labuschagne leg before wicket with the final ball before lunch to claim his second wicket and leave Australia on 84 for three on the opening day of the first Test at Kingsmead. Mulder took two for 17 in eight overs, while Marco Jansen claimed one for 15 from eight overs. A short while ago Australia were on 144 for 6 after 52 overs.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-52-cents and the euro at 18-rand-52-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-86-cents and Bitcoin trades at 82-thousand-913-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-181-dollars-37-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 105-dollars-56-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….