News 17:00

BULLETIN 28 October 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Suliman Carrim remains in custody despite his bail in the Madlanga Commission case
# A second South African is arrested in America on child pornography related charges
# And: Several Tshwane areas face possible water restrictions amid supply pressures

# North West businessman Suliman Carrim will remain in custody despite being granted 100-thousand-rand bail in a separate case linked to the Madlanga Commission. Carrim is expected to apply for a formal bail application at the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Friday where he faces additional charges of attempted theft, fraud, uttering and money laundering. Carrim is accused of colluding with employees to smuggle two financed Absa vehicles into Zimbabwe, en route to Malawi, using allegedly fraudulent bank documents. The vehicles were intercepted at the Beitbridge border post.

# National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa general-secretary Irvin Jim alleges there are attempts to destabilise the union ahead of its 12th National Congress. The union’s Central Committee stripped Jim, president Andrew Chirwa and other national leaders of their powers, accusing them of failing to fulfil their duties. The move follows an escalating leadership dispute, including concerns about financial governance. Jim condemned the campaign targeting national office bearers:

# Two South Africans face child sexual abuse material-related charges in separate cases in the United States. Arno Venter, who entered the country under the Afrikaner refugee programme, was arrested in Ohio earlier this month. The Department of Homeland Security says he faces deportation after his trial. Meanwhile, Vico Du Toit who was on a working visa was arrested in Oklahoma yesterday and faces nine charges including alleged possession and distribution of child pornography. Du Toit is being held on bail of 8.3-million-rand. Both cases are yet to appear in courts.

# The City of Tshwane says it’s continuing water supply restrictions as high consumption puts pressure on the system. While some reservoirs have shown slight improvement, others remain low or empty. Areas of concern include Ga-Rankuwa, Louwlardia, Winterveld, Mooikloof and Queenswood remain under pressure, while other areas could face restrictions if residents do not reduce their water use. The city’s Selby Bokaba urges residents to conserve water to help stabilise the supply system:

# Rugby: England’s first-choice flyhalf, Fin Smith, has only until today to prove his fitness for next Sunday’s Nations Championship match against Australia. He suffered a calf strain playing for Northampton against Leicester. England coach Steve Borthwick says Smith has made good progress and hopes he will be available. South African-born Benhard Janse van Rensburg won’t play a part in the championship after being concussed twice in his last three games. He made his debut for his adopted country against Fiji in July.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-64-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-52-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-12-cents and Bitcoin trades at 80-thousand-650-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-53-dollars-99-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 116-dollars-36-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….