News 17:00

BULLETIN 10 September 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# AfriForum challenges ICASA’s race criteria blocking Starlink in South Africa
# The Eastern Cape premier pledges action to combat the rise of extortion mafias
# And, rugby: Erasmus names a 28-player squad to go to Argentina

# AfriForum has urged the Independent Communication Authority of South Africa to remove its race-based ownership criteria preventing Starlink’s satellite internet services in South Africa. In response to ICASA’s proposed Licensing Framework for Satellite Services, AfriForum argues these criteria hinder access to crucial technologies for rural safety. AfriForum’s Ernst van Zyl stresses that South Africa lags in adopting this vital communication tool for crime prevention:

# Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane has pledged action to combat the rise of extortion mafias targeting businesses. Criminal groups are increasingly demanding protection fees, forcing some businesses to shut down. Mabuyane states that police are intensifying efforts to tackle this growing threat, which has also impacted schools and other institutions. He emphasises that the extortion crisis is threatening the local economy:

# Mining company Harmony Gold has launched water conservation projects to ensure a reliable, potable water supply for its communities, operations, and employees. The 35.5-million-rand investment includes refurbishing three municipal wastewater treatment plants in Gauteng, the Free State, and North West, and setting up its water treatment facilities. This initiative aims to enhance sewage treatment by 30-million litres per day, benefiting about one-million people. The company’s CEO, Peter Steenkamp, says the project also seeks to improve local water quality and ecosystems.

# South Africa’s new tobacco legislation will impose strict regulations on vaping, aligning it with cigarette laws. The proposed Tobacco Product and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill includes bans on display, online sales, and mandates plain packaging for both cigarettes and vapes. Heavy penalties, including jail time, are proposed for violations. The Department of Health argues that while e-cigarettes reduce harm, they remain harmful. The vaping industry criticises these measures, claiming they are too harsh and could boost the illicit trade.

# Rugby: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus recalled Johan Grobbelaar to his 28-man squad to face Argentina in Santiago on 21 September. Grobbelaar will cover hooker along with Malcolm Marx, and Jan-Hendrik Wessels who can also play prop. Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, and Willie le Roux gets a well-deserved break. Lukhanyo Am and Jesse Kriel are the only two specialist centres, but Canan Moodie provides cover at centre, wing, and fullback. The squad assembles tomorrow and departs for Argentina on Saturday.

# And, the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-90-cents and the euro at 19-rand-76-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-41-cents and Bitcoin trades at 56-thousand-877-dollars-23-cent. Gold sells at two-thousand-513-dollars-25-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 71-dollars-34-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….