News 18:00

BULLETIN 10 October 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Madlanga commission confirms its hearings will resume behind closed doors on Monday
# Passport control delays cause longer processing times at OR Tambo Airport
# And cricket: The Proteas start the defence of their Test Championship title against Pakistan

# The Madlanga commission of inquiry into criminality, political interference, and corruption in the criminal justice system will resume hearings at the Bridgette Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria, on Monday. The commission’s Jeremy Michaels says due to the sensitive nature of the evidence, the commission plans to hold the hearings in camera, meaning the media and public will not have access:

# The Airports Company South Africa has confirmed that OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng is experiencing longer processing times at passport control, affecting both arriving and departing passengers. While no official reasons have been provided for the delays, ACSA is advising international travellers to arrive at least three hours before departure to allow time for airport formalities.

# The South African Weather Service has confirmed that a weak tornado occurred near Rand Airport in Germiston, Gauteng, yesterday. Following ground assessments, no structural damage was found, only broken branches and puddles from heavy rainfall. Spokesperson Lehlohonolo Thobela cautions while minor, tornadoes remain dangerous, and the public is urged to exercise caution during severe thunderstorms:

Moving abroad:

# Israel’s Justice ministry published a list of 250 prisoners to be released in exchange for hostages still held in Gaza, as part of a ceasefire deal with Hamas. The list does not include the names of several senior Palestinian militant leaders seen as symbols of resistance and whose release Hamas has demanded. One of those not on the list, is Marwan Barghouti. He was sentenced to life in 2004 on murder charges and is considered a terrorist by Israel, but is sometimes described by supporters as the “Palestinian Mandela”.

# Cricket: The Proteas start the defence of their World Test Championship title against Pakistan in Lahore on Sunday. T20 captain Aiden Markram is leading the team in the absence of injured Temba Bavuma. He hopes their preparation on dry, spin-friendly pitches in Pretoria will help them in the South-Asian country on pitches expected to suit Pakistan’s spin bowlers. Markram points out both teams have to bat on the same pitch, saying conditions will be equally challenging for everyone. The second Test starts in Rawalpindi on the 20th.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-25-cents and the euro at 19-rand-96-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-92-cents and Bitcoin trades at 121-thousand-358-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-985-dollars-10-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-56-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….