News 17:00

BULLETIN 24th October 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Cele acknowledges genuine mistakes by Mkhwanazi
# The Employers’ Association accuses the ANC of using B-BBEE as a political weapon for cadre enrichment
# And rugby: The Bulls appeal the Bok forward Wessels’ huge ban for unproved foul play

# Former Police minister Bheki Cele has praised KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for his work and voice, while acknowledging he is human and has made mistakes. Cele says he has met with Mkhwanazi, who expressed remorse, and described the errors as genuine. While not yet ready to pardon him, Cele emphasises that mistakes in policing are amplified due to public scrutiny, but he recognises Mkhwanazi’s accountability and dedication:

# The National Employers’ Association of South Africa says the ANC’s recent statement defending broad-based black economic empowerment is a poor attempt to protect its last political stronghold. They refute ANC claims that the policy empowers women, youth, and people with disabilities as false. NEASA CEO Gerhard Papenfus says the ANC refuses to admit the policy is a failed system that only enriches a small group of politically connected individuals. He argues the policy has worsened inequality, destroyed state institutions, and driven away investors.

# The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse welcomes Eskom’s decision to ease red tape for residential solar and battery systems. From the first of this month, accredited electricians, not only engineers, can sign off small-scale solar installations under the existing certificate of compliance framework, cutting costs and delays for homeowners. OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage says ongoing engagement with Eskom is helping to improve the energy registration system for consumers, while safety remains protected under current regulations:

# Rugby: The Bulls are appealing their Springbok utitily forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels’ massive suspension of nine weeks despite the apparent lack of clear evidence. He was penalised after Connacht flanker Josh Murphy accused him of groping during last weekend’s United Rugby Championship match. The Bulls say no new video evidence was presented at the disciplinary hearing, and Wessels was apparently banned on the basis of the same footage from which the referees couldn’t find evidence of foul play. If the ban is upheld, his season will be over.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-26-cents and the euro at 20-rand-10-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-4-cents and Bitcoin trades at 111-thousand-331-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-118-dollars-57-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-59-cents a barrel.

# And finally, the Western Cape MEC for Mobility, Isaac Sileku, launched the Mini-bus Taxi Executive Leadership Programme at the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business. The six-month initiative aims to develop ethical, innovative, and future-ready leaders in the taxi industry, combining academic learning with community projects. Sileku says the programme focuses on self-leadership, collaboration, and innovation, equipping participants to transform the sector, enhance professionalism, secure livelihoods, and ensure commuter safety:

Stay tuned for more news………….