News 16:00

NEWSFLASH NEWS AGENCY 16 November 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The AA forecasts a significant decrease in fuel prices in December 
# OUTA considers its options after a legal setback in the N3 Toll Concession tender financial disclosure case 
# And Roadrunning: A Scottish athlete is banned for a year for riding in a car during a marathon 

# The Automobile Association predicts a substantial drop in fuel prices next month, providing relief to consumers and holiday travellers. Projections indicate a decrease of around one-rand-six-cents per litre for 95-octane petrol, one-rand-five-cents for 93-octane petrol and two-rand-10-cents for diesel. The price of illuminating paraffin is also expected to decrease by approximately one-rand-75-cents. The AA attributes these reductions to eased international product prices and a stronger rand against the US dollar. Motorists are also urged to ensure their vehicles are in good condition for safe year-end travels.

# The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse says it is evaluating its right of appeal after a legal setback in the N3 Toll Concession tender financial disclosure case. The High Court in Pretoria dismissed OUTA’s bid to access key financial information on the N3 toll route between Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, from the South African National Roads Agency. The organisation expressed disappointment, stressing the public interest in transparency. OUTA’s Stefanie Fick says the case raises broader concerns about secrecy in private companies contracting with the state:

Play sound: ENG FickOnSanral

# The City of Ekurhuleni is calling on owners of vehicles at the city’s vehicle pounds to claim their property or they will be auctioned off. A total of 735 impounded vehicles have not been claimed as yet. The city’s spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, says notification has been sent to the owners who need to provide the necessary proof of ownership to claim their vehicle and pay the necessary fees as per Council tariffs. He says owners have until the eighth of next month to claim their vehicles:

Play sound: ENG ZwelionVehicles

# Roadrunning: A Scottish long-distance runner was banned for a year after riding in a car during a race earlier this year, and then claiming third place. Joasia Zakrzewski was caught out after data from the tracking system at the GB Ultras marathon from Manchester to Liverpool showed she rode four-kilometres with a car. The Independent Disciplinary Panel of United Kingdom Athletics didn’t accept her explanation that she did inform the organisers she finished the race in a non-competitive way. It says Zakrzewski shouldn’t have accepted the trophy.

# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-30-cents and the euro at 19-rand-84-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-67-cents and Bitcoin trades at 37-thousand-97-dollars-2-cents. Gold sells at one-thousand-963-dollars-80-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 80-dollars-43-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Non-governmental organization Brownie Points has expressed appreciation for the positive impact of the Good Economy project, reporting the employment of two-thousand-505 individuals across various sectors. Supported by the Social Employment Fund, the organisation collaborates with various foundations to create work and environmental value. Brownie Points co-founder, Pascale du Toit-Henke highlights the project’s role in providing support to families within communities. Notably, permanent employment opportunities have been created in counselling and waste collection through the Duzi-uMngeni Conservation Trust project in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal.

Stay tuned for more news………….