News 17:00

BULLETIN 7 November 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Oppenheimer family urges government to step aside for entrepreneurs
# Political analyst Dirk Kotzé says the seizure of Senzo Mchunu’s devices signals faster investigations
# And, a deputy principal was shot in Daveyton

# The Oppenheimer family has urged government to ease restrictions on entrepreneurs. The family who are the founders of Anglo American and De Beers mining companies, says red tape, weak growth, and high costs threaten small businesses that make up 91-percent of South Africa’s formal sector. Spokesperson Jonathan Oppenheimer says under current inflation pressures, many small businesses will shut down. He reiterated the World Bank’s calls for cutting bureaucratic barriers stifling economic growth.

# Political analyst Dirk Kotzé says the confiscation of suspended Police minister Senzo Mchunu’s devices indicates investigative processes are gaining momentum. The KwaZulu-Natal political killings task team seized five devices from Mchunu’s Pretoria home this morning amid a probe into alleged political interference and corruption in the justice system. Kotzé told Newzroom Afrika time will tell what is revealed once investigations conclude:

# The Gauteng Education Department says an investigation is underway after the deputy principal of Dinoto Technical Secondary School in Daveyton, Ekurhuleni, was shot this morning while entering the school. The wounded teacher was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. The department’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona, condemned the attack and called for those responsible to be brought to justice:

# Road Freight Association CEO Gavin Kelly says transport costs are beginning to ease following recent fuel price drops. Diesel decreased by 21-cents-per-litre and petrol by 39-cents-per-litre earlier this week, aided by a stronger rand. While fuel prices remain 21.4-percent higher than last year, Kelly says savings on truck refuels and logistics are expected to offer relief for consumers. He emphasises sustained decreases could positively impact inflation and bolster economic growth.

# Cricket: The Dolphins have signed batter Leus du Plooy for the remainder of Cricket South Africa’s T20 Challenge as an overseas player. The 30-year-old played for the Knights, the Titans, South Western Districts and Boland in South Africa before pursuing a career in England. He has since represented Derbyshire and Middlesex in the County Championship. Du Plooy joins Proteas fast bowler Anrich Nortjé, who was signed last month. The Dolphins currently occupy third position on this season’s points table.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-33-cents and the euro at 20-rand-5-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-75-cents and Bitcoin trades at 100-thousand-154-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-999-dollars-48-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-71-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….