News 17:00

BULLETIN 2 October 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Petrol is set to smash 30-rand a litre as fuel prices hit records
# Rugby: Babalwa Latsha returns to lead the Springbok Women against Spain
# And, three Western Cape teachers are recognised for excellence in education

# South African motorists are facing record fuel prices from Wednesday, with 95 octane petrol’s price expected to rise by more than three-rand a litre and pass the 30-rand mark for the first time. The latest Central Energy Fund figures put the projected increase at 3-rand-21-cents, taking the inland price to about 30-rand-13-cents a litre. Diesel prices could also hit a record, with the more expensive grade potentially rising by over three-rand to about 33-rand-15-cents. Government will announce the final prices next week.

# Suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya’s defence lawyer, advocate Amanda Nel, has suggested that Mr M may have a motive to make false allegations against Sibiya. Nel told the Randburg Magistrate’s Court that Sibiya had financially assisted Mr M, but stopped after an alleged rift between them, stating this could have fuelled resentment. Investigating officer detective Nokukhanya Ndlovu disputed it, saying Mr M cut ties with Sibiya over his alleged conduct:

# The U.S. Department of Defense is considering expanding its use of autonomous surveillance boats along the Rio Grande and in the Gulf of Mexico. The solar-powered, canoe-sized vessels have been used since January to detect and deter migrant crossings and drug trafficking. The current fleet has 10 boats, but officials want to add as many as 50 to reduce pressure on Coast Guard crews and aircraft. The drones can operate for months and use cameras, heat sensors and sonar to track activity, and have helped with hundreds of detections and apprehensions each month.

# Rugby: Babalwa Latsha returns as number three prop and captain of the Springbok Women for Sunday’s Women’s-15 Global Series Test against Spain in Seville. She swops places with Nombuyekezo Mdliki, who starts on the bench. Coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September didn’t make many changes to the team that beat Italy at home last weekend. Mary Zulu, who joined the squad earlier this week after Libbie Janse van Rensburg was injured, provides flyhalf and fullback cover on the bench.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-65-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-73-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-1-cent and Bitcoin trades at 86-thousand-672-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-198-dollars-83-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 103-dollars-30-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Western Cape Education Department says three of the province’s teachers have taken top honours at the 26th National Teaching Awards in Johannesburg. The winners are Mthobi Fihla from Phakamisani Primary School in Plettenberg Bay, Danielle Bosch from Koos Sadie Primary School in Goodwood, and Hortense Stegmann from Welgemoed Primary School. The trio were among 15 teachers who represented the province at the awards. Education MEC Jaco Londt congratulated the three teachers:

Stay tuned for more news………….