News 17:00

BULLETIN 14 October 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Gayton McKenzie’s 800-thousand-rand Paris Olympics trip raises eyebrows
# ActionSA vows to hold the minister of Justice accountable in Parliament
# And motorsport: Mick Schumacher is in contention to drive for Sauber’s F1 team next year

# Sports, Arts and Culture minister Gayton McKenzie has faced backlash after his trip to the Paris Olympics cost South African taxpayers over 800-thousand-rand. Shortly after his appointment, McKenzie vowed to cut funding for superfans, stating that resources should be prioritized for athletes and artists. However, the department spent 1.8-million-rand on McKenzie and his support team, surpassing the 1.3-million-rand previously allocated to superfans. The minister’s travel costs amounted to 804-thousand-590-rand, with flights, accommodation, and transport taking up most of the expenses. 

Meanwhile, ActionSA says it’s determined to hold minister of Justice Thembi Simelane accountable in Parliament for her involvement in the VBS Mutual Bank saga. The party has reaffirmed its commitment to exposing cover-ups by members of the government of national unity to conceal corruption and ensure their coalition’s success. In a media briefing, ActionSA’s Athol Trollip remains steadfast in ensuring corrupt leaders are held to account to restore public trust in the justice system:

# The National Financial Ombud Scheme has called on insurers to address rising fraudulent claims after a Limpopo police sergeant, Rachel Shokane-Kutumela, was arrested for allegedly orchestrating six murders to claim ten-million-rand. Another case involves Agnes Setshwantsho, accused of insuring 40 relatives and killing two. The scheme’s Nceba Sihlali told eNCA of the consequences of implementing stringent measures on funeral policies:

# Motorsport: The son of former Formula One great Michael Schumacher may land a permanent seat in the sport next year. Audi chief Mattia Binotto says 25-year-old Mick Schumacher is being evaluated as an option for the unfilled seat at Sauber. The team hasn’t yet announced who will drive alongside another German, Nico Hulkenberg, in 2025. Incumbent Valtteri Bottas of Finland or F2 driver Gabriel Bortoleto of Brazil were seen as the other driver, but Binotto says Schumacher is also in contention.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-58-cents and the euro at 19-rand-18-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-92-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-814-dollars-36-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-649-dollars-26-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-44-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Australian Republican Movement has launched a campaign branding King Charles’s upcoming visit as the “farewell tour” of the British monarchy. It includes a merchandise collection and is aimed to debate the role of the crown in modern Australia. The tour from Friday to next Tuesday marks the first royal visit to Australia in more than a decade. It’s also a year after Australia’s unsuccessful Voice to Parliament vote, which stalled momentum for another referendum. Referendums are the only way to change Australia’s constitution, and have an 80-percent failure rate.

Stay tuned for more news………….