News 17:00
NEWSFLASH NEWS AGENCY 13 November 5 pm
Good afternoon. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# Findings unveiled on funding for deputy president Paul Mashatile’s son-in-law
# Prisons across the Western Cape remain on high alert following a diphtheria outbreak
# And Cricket: India looks unstoppable ahead of the World Cup semis
# The Gauteng Partnership Fund investigation has revealed governance pitfalls and irregularities in funding allocations to deputy president Paul Mashatile’s son-in-law, Nceba Nonkwelo’s company, Nonkwelo Investments. Human Settlements MEC, Lebogang Maile presented findings, raising concerns about scope changes and inadequate due diligence in the Entrepreneur Empowerment Programme. Trustees may face liability for flawed decisions. The loans, totaling 24.9-million-rand for the construction of student accommodation in Highlands, Johannesburg that never materialised, were deemed irregular. Maile vows to strengthen governance, and recommendations are under review.
# The Department of Correctional Services has confirmed that prisons across the Western Cape remain on high alert following a diphtheria outbreak. Last week, a 19-year-old male inmate from Pollsmoor prison succumbed to the disease, and eight additional positive cases are now in isolation. National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale assures the public that measures have been implemented, and the situation is under control. Thobakgale notes that 243 inmates have been vaccinated as part of an ongoing campaign to contain the spread of the disease:
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# The Australian government plans to issue a national apology over the Thalidomide tragedy of the early 1960s that led to death and malformation in babies. Thalidomide was the active ingredient in a sedative widely distributed to many pregnant women in the country, and the rest of the world. It triggered a worldwide overhaul of drug-testing regimes after the US Food and Drug Administration was the lone voice in refusing to approve the drug. Thalidomide killed an estimated 80-thousand unborn babies and caused deformities in another 20-thousand children.
# Cricket: Only four teams remain at the World Cup with the semifinals starting on Wednesday. Hosts India was the only team to finish the group stage unbeaten and they will meet New Zealand in the first semi in Mumbai. The Black Caps finished fourth on the log. On Thursday, it is the two sides who ended in second and third place – South Africa and Australia – who will play for a place in Sunday’s final. India’s fielding coach, T Dilip, says they have momentum on their side:
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# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-75-cents and the euro at 20-rand-2-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-98-cents and Bitcoin trades at 36-thousand-872-dollars-8-cents. Gold sells at one-thousand-937-dollars-38-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 81-dollars-53-cents a barrel.
# And finally: The Social Research Foundation’s recent survey indicates former president Thabo Mbeki emerges as the most favoured political figure in South Africa. News24 reports despite recent ANC criticism, Mbeki’s popularity spans across racial groups, scoring 57.5-percent. President Cyril Ramaphosa scored 44.4-percent, attributed to economic challenges and increased corruption. The survey also highlights the popularity of other leaders. In the DA Helen Zille is preferred over John Steenhuisen, and in the EFF Julius Malema is leading. Build One South Africa’s Mmusi Maimane and ActionSA’s Herman Mashaba maintain favour among white supporters.
Stay tuned for more news………….