News 17:00

BULLETIN 27 November 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Siviwe Gwarube reaffirms a commitment to fair and safe matric exams as the marking process begins
# A teenager is sentenced to 43 years for the murder of a school principal in Nongoma
# And rugby: The Blitzboks aim to impress in the Dubai Sevens opener

# Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, has reaffirmed the department’s commitment to ensuring fair and safe matric exams as the marking process begins. Over 50-thousand markers began grading at 181 centres nationwide today. Over 300 learners in the Eastern Cape affected by floods will be allowed to rewrite their exams. Gwarube told the media despite challenges like protests and flooding, the exams went smoothly, with minimal irregularities:

# A 15-year-old boy from KwaZulu-Natal is set to serve 43-years in prison for the murder of Bhekintinta High School principal Alpheus Ntuli. Last week the Nongoma Regional Court also convicted the teenager of firearm theft and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. Police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda says the teen pleaded guilty to all charges:

# Vandalism of water infrastructure at the Theewaterskloof Dam in the Western Cape, contributes to water and other losses of approximately 18-million-rand per year. This includes the theft of pumps and other structures made of precious metals. Meanwhile, the Theewaterskloof Municipality is also struggling with a lack of funding for its water development plan. The portfolio committee on Water and Sanitation says more protection is needed to secure key infrastructure.

# The Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire that has taken effect in Lebanon, could potentially bring an end to more than a year of cross-border strikes and months of a full-scale war that has killed thousands. The deal stipulates a 60-day halt in hostilities, which could be the foundation of a lasting truce. Hezbollah fighters are expected to retreat 40 kilometres from the Israeli border, while Israeli ground forces should withdraw from Lebanese territory. Meanwhile displaced Lebanese residents are heading home despite warnings from the Israeli military and Lebanon’s army not to return immediately.

# Rugby: Tristan Leyds says he is ready to play for the Blitzboks at the Dubai Sevens this weekend. He steps in for injured Selvyn Davids. The 27-year-old emphasises the team’s focus on executing training strategies and restoring pride in the Blitzbok jersey. With five tournaments and 69 points under his belt, Leyds says he is eager to make his mark in Dubai for the first time:

# And the financial indicators:  The dollar trades at 18-rand-14-cents and the euro at 19-rand-10-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-90-cents and Bitcoin trades at 93-thousand-541-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-647-dollars-21-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-70-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….