News 18:00

BULLETIN 24 October 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Two of the accused in the Lusikisiki massacre are to apply for bail
# The Johannesburg council’s speaker questions the legality of Gwamanda’s special leave
# And rugby: Siya Kolisi moves from flanker to eighthman for the Sharks in the Munster clash

# Two accused linked to the Lusikisiki mass killings will apply for bail on 29 October. Zenande Paya and Mawethu Nomdlembu, who were arrested in Flagstaff, appeared in the Lusikisiki Magistrates’ Court today on charges of illegal firearm possession and ammunition in connection with the murders of 18 people in Ngobozana village. The National Prosecuting Authority’s Luxolo Tyali says the other four accused have abandoned their bail applications:

# City of Johannesburg council speaker Nobuhle Mthembu has admitted that placing mayoral committee member for Community Safety, Kabelo Gwamanda, on special leave may be illegal. This followed his arrest on fraud charges. Mthembu disclosed to News24 that council rules don’t allow for such leave. Gwamanda, arrested for a 2011 funeral policy scam in Soweto, remains on full pay. Mayor Dada Morero referred the matter to Mthembu for legal guidance. The DA has called for Gwamanda’s immediate removal.

# The City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services are currently battling a fire at the lower cableway station on Table Mountain Road, where a bank of lithium batteries is burning, producing significant smoke. Firefighters are also responding to another fire near Strand Street. The city’s Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse, advised residents to remain vigilant and avoid the affected areas:  

# Namibia’s main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Movement, has protested the hiring of South African company Ren-Form to print ballots. Ren-Form is currently under investigation by Zimbabwe’s anti-corruption commission for alleged election fraud. PDM leader McHenry Venaani highlighted concerns over potential financial misconduct. The Electoral Commission of Namibia, however, stands by its decision, citing a thorough evaluation process. Namibia’s elections are set for 27 November, with 15 presidential candidates and 21 political parties participating.

# Rugby: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will start in the number eight jersey for the Sharks in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship match against Munster in Durban. Coach John Plumtree moved him from blindside flanker to eighthman in place of Phepsi Buthelezi, who drops to the bench, and James Venter and Vincent Tshituka will be the flankers. In the backline, Grant Williams replaces fellow Bok Jaden Hendrikse at number nine. Bok lock Eben Etzebeth will captain the team at Kings Park.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-70-cents and the euro at 19-rand-13-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-98-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-601-dollars-62-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-730-dollars-58-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-13-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….