News 16:00

BULLETIN 31 October 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Government is criticised for spending millions on VIP protection amid police staff shortages
# Giuffre’s family welcomes Andrew being stripped of all his royal titles
# And rugby: Damian de Allende says the main battle against Japan will be at the breakdowns

# The Activists and Citizens Forum says government is spending millions on VIP protectors while the South African Police Service’s ballistics section struggles with a severe staff shortage. Ballistics head Mishak Mkhabela told the Madlanga commission the section has just 42 analysts, causing delays in firearm analysis and court cases. The forum’s spokesperson, Dennis Bloem, calls on political leaders and the government of national unity to prioritise public safety above their own interests.

# Build One South Africa says a six-percent sin tax should be introduced on online gambling companies to ensure they contribute fairly to the economy. Debating virtually in Parliament, BOSA deputy leader Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster said online betting has become a national crisis, exploiting vulnerable citizens while paying little tax. Hlazo-Webster added the proposed tax would align gambling with other taxed industries like alcohol and tobacco, with revenue used to fund rehabilitation and youth upliftment programmes:

Moving abroad:

# The family of late Virginia Giuffre who accused King Charles’ brother, Andrew, of sexual abuse, has welcomed the decision to strip him of all royal titles. Now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, he must vacate Royal Lodge and relocate to Sandringham. Buckingham Palace cited serious lapses in judgment linked to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Giuffre’s brother, Sky Roberts, told BBC Newsnight this move is historic, but he demands a full investigation:

# Rugby: Springbok centre Damian de Allende says composure and precision will be key against a rapid and disciplined Japanese attack. The Boks kick off their five-Test end-of-year tour against Japan at Wembley Stadium in London tomorrow. De Allende, who has been playing his rugby in Japan for the last few years, expects the main battle to be at the breakdowns:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-34-cents and the euro at 20-rand-5-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-74-cents and Bitcoin trades at 110-thousand-373-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-19-dollars-95-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-1-cent a barrel.

# And finally: The United Nations’ secretary general, António Guterres, says climate impacts are accelerating, yet adaptation finance is not keeping pace, leaving the world’s most vulnerable exposed. According to the UN Environment Programme’s latest report, by 2035, adaptation finance needs in developing countries will be 12 times as much as current international public adaptation finance flows. Guterres says closing the adaptation gap is how lives can be protected, climate justice delivered, and a safer and more sustainable world be built.

Stay tuned for more news………….