News 18:00

BULLETIN 19 November 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Nersa’s head of electricity regulation is suspended pending an inquiry 
# The UN says more than 200 children were killed in Lebanon in the past two months  
# And rugby: The Hendrikse brothers form the Springboks’ half-back pairing against Wales

# Energy regulator Nersa’s head of electricity regulation, Nhlanhla Gumede, has been suspended pending an independent inquiry. According to News24, the suspension was confirmed following his absence from Nersa’s hearings into Eskom’s multi-year price determination. Gumede was appointed in 2020 and had previously raised concerns about electricity tariff increases and affordability. No details on the grounds of his suspension has been provided. Eskom is currently requesting a 36-percent tariff hikes in its latest revenue application.

# Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, has called for immediate action to stop criminal syndicates from abusing the local procurement rule in the construction industry. Speaking at the national construction summit in Durban, Macpherson condemned the misuse of the 30-percent local procurement rule, as syndicates demand payments from contractors without performing any work. He called for a review of the rule to protect legitimate businesses, instead of facilitating extortion and corruption:

# The National Consumer Commission has urged spaza shop owners to register within 21 days, as required by president Cyril Ramaphosa. Acting commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu highlighted non-compliance during inspections, following food poisoning incidents that hospitalised hundreds and claimed the lives of learners. Ratshisusu emphasised to the SABC that the Consumer Protection Act prohibits the sale of unsafe goods, urging shop owners to prioritise public safety:

# The United Nations says over 200 children have been killed in Lebanon in the less than two months since Israel escalated its attacks, targeting Hezbollah. Spokesperson for UN children’s agency UNICEF, James Elder, told reporters in Geneva an average of three children have been killed every day. He adds more than one-thousand-100 children had been hurt in the violence and many more traumatised. Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel in October last year in support of Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.

# Rugby: The 36th set of Springbok brothers, Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse, will be the half-back pairing in Saturday’s Test against Wales in Cardiff. Handré Pollard is on the bench. Cameron Hanekom could become the 12th player to make his debut for South Africa this season after being picked on the bench. Coach Rassie Erasmus made seven changes to the team that beat England last weekend. Thomas du Toit returns at tighthead prop while Franco Mostert and Jean Kleyn are the new lock combination. Elrigh Louw replaces injured Pieter-Steph du Toit at flank.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-5-cents and the euro at 19-rand-11-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-82-cents and Bitcoin trades at 91-thousand-695-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-626-dollars-84-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-4-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….