News 17:00

BULLETIN 20 November 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Department of Home Affairs dismisses 18 officials for fraud, corruption, and harassment
# Russia says the Biden administration is prolonging the war in Ukraine
# And soccer: England’s interim coach believes they can win the next World Cup

# The Department of Home Affairs has dismissed 18 officials for various offences including fraud, corruption, and sexual harassment. These officials were involved in issues like granting fake identity documents, illegal marriage registrations, and improper visa approvals. Four others received warnings. Minister Leon Schreiber says these actions reflect the department’s ongoing crackdown on corruption, with criminal charges to follow where necessary:

# North West’s portfolio committee on Community Safety and Transport Management has expressed deep concern about recent illegal mining activities and illegal miners remaining underground in Stilfontein. The committee’s chairperson, Freddy Sonakile, is calling for a thorough reflection on systemic issues contributing to illegal mining in the country. He says this must include identifying and dismantling the criminal syndicates and kingpins orchestrating illegal mining operations:

# The MK Party has announced plans to celebrate its 1st anniversary with a major public rally on 15 December at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Party leader Jacob Zuma will address the rally. The party’s headquarters in Johannesburg is set to open by the end of this month and the Durban office by next month. MK Party secretary general Floyd Shivambu told the media a gala dinner will be held on 16 December: 

# Russia has accused the United States of prolonging the war in Ukraine by stepping up weapons deliveries to Kyiv ahead of Donald Trump entering the White House. The US will soon provide Ukraine with antipersonnel land mines to shore up its defences. This is the latest step-up in military supplies announced by the administration of president Joe Biden following Trump’s election victory. On the campaign trial Trump, who will be inaugurated on 20 January, criticised US support for Ukraine and claimed he could secure a ceasefire within hours.

# Soccer: Interim England head coach Lee Carsley says Thomas Tuchel will take over a side with everything necessary to win the next World Cup. The German takes over on the first of January after signing an 18-month contract, replacing Gareth Southgate who resigned in July. Carsley believes England has the talent to be crowned champions for the first time since 1966 when the tournament takes place in Canada, the US and Mexico in 2026. He says he leaves the squad in a fantastic position.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-12-cents and the euro at 19-rand-13-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-95-cents and Bitcoin trades at 94-thousand-304-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-634-dollars-46-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-49-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….