News 17:00

BULLETIN 11 November 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Shamila Batohi clarifies the attempt to infiltrate the NPA
# EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi is suspended with immediate effect
# And, OUTA says the AARTO delay exposes government’s administrative chaos

# National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi has confirmed receiving confidential intelligence about attempts to infiltrate the National Prosecuting Authority. Testifying before Parliament’s ad hoc committee, Batohi said she briefed Justice minister Mmamoloko Kubayi and president Cyril Ramaphosa after being warned by an intelligence agency. She stressed that most prosecutors are dedicated to serving the rule of law, but an implicated prosecutor has been suspended pending investigation:

# Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department deputy chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, has been placed on suspension with immediate effect. The move follows various testimonies at the Madlanga commission linking Mkhwanazi to alleged corrupt deals. These include authorising blue-light privileges for controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and awarding tenders without proper process.

# The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse says government’s decision to delay the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences traffic penalty system to July next year shows the real problem is chaos within the state, not motorists. Municipalities want to pull out because the system is costly and ineffective. OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage says the system has never been ready and remains unworkable, with new regulations rushed through without proper consultation and even containing unreadable sections:

# A bill proposing the death penalty for terrorists passed a first reading in Israel’s parliament  – a measure that could apply to Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks against Israelis. The amendment to the penal code, demanded by far-right National Security minister Itamar Ben Gvir and approved by the National Security Committee, was approved by 39 votes to 16. It must pass a second and third reading before becoming law. The security comittee says the bill’s purpose is to cut off terrorism at its root and create a heavy deterrent.

# Cricket: Pundits say South Africa has a daunting task ahead when they take on India in two Tests in the next leg of their World Test Championships defence. The Proteas will have only three full days to practice before the first match starts at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday. Fortunately, playing good Test cricket without warm-up matches was a hallmark of their last campaign. Captain Temba Bavuma returns to the side after missing the recent series against Pakistan due to a calf injury.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-16-cents and the euro at 19-rand-87-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-56-cents and Bitcoin trades at 104-thousand-569-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-139-dollars-55-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-34-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….