News 18:00

BULLETIN 16th October 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Mchunu says gaps in national police commissioners’ handovers affected the political killings task team’s operations
# The DA in Gauteng lays charges against a former health official over the Tembisa hospital corruption
# And rugby: The Sharks have their big guns back for the URC battle with Ulster

# Police minister Senzo Mchunu has told Parliament’s ad hoc committee that gaps in the handover between national police commissioners Khehla Sitole and Fannie Masemola affected the operations of the political killings task team. Mchunu said the lack of a proper transition created delays and confusion, impacting budget approvals and oversight of the task team. He added that leadership gaps made it harder to assess the team’s needs and effectiveness:

# The DA in Gauteng has laid criminal charges against former Gauteng Health chief financial official Lerato Madyo over her alleged role in the Tembisa Hospital corruption scandal. The charges include failing to report corruption, conspiracy, fraud, and multiple violations of the Public Finance Management Act. Madyo allegedly ignored whistleblower Babita Deokaran’s warnings, allowing irregular payments exceeding 104-million-rand. The DA’s Jack Bloom calls for an urgent police investigation, vowing to hold all implicated parties accountable, including those behind Deokaran’s murder.

# Western Cape Agriculture MEC, Ivan Meyer, says World Food Day is a reminder that the right to food is not a privilege, it is a fundamental human right. This year’s theme is Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future. Meyer says through partnerships and community-driven initiatives, they are working hand in hand to ensure that no household, child or community is left behind in the pursuit of a food-secure province:

# Rugby: The big guns are back for the Sharks when they face Ulster in the United Rugby Championship at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday. Back from their heroics in the Rugby Championship, are forwards Ox Nché, Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi who join fellow Boks Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch in the starting team. Scrumhalf Grant Williams and inside centre André Esterhuizen join a star-studded backline with Siya Masuku getting his first start of the campaign. Brothers Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse are on the bench with Lukhanyo Am.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-31-cents and the euro at 20-rand-17-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-22-cents and Bitcoin trades at 110-thousand-733-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-259-dollars-26-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 61-dollars-83-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Public Servants Association is extending wishes of support and encouragement to the matric class of 2025, as the learners prepare to write their final examinations. The National Senior Certificate examinations begin next week. PSA’s Claude Naicker says this is a significant milestone that reflects years of learning, sacrifice, and determination as well as a new chapter in life. He adds that whilst academic achievement opens doors, determination, hard work, and perseverance are equally important:

Stay tuned for more news………….