News 18:00

BULLETIN 2 December 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Senzo Mchunu denies the corruption allegations linked to Cat Matlala and KT Molefe
# The government welcomes 0.5% economic growth in the latest GDP figures
# And, an expert says US remains an irreplaceable trade partner for SA

# Suspended Police minister Senzo Mchunu has told the Madlanga commission that he has never faced corruption allegations in any of his government positions. Testifying at the commission in Pretoria on the disbandment of the political killings task team, Mchunu denied any wrongdoing linked to alleged criminal figures Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and Katiso “KT” Molefe:

# The government welcomes South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product growth of 0.5-percent in the third quarter.  This marks the third consecutive quarter of growth, reflecting economic resilience. Key contributors include the mining sector, up 2.3-percent led by platinum, manganese, and coal, as well as trade, catering and accommodation, which grew by one-percent. Government Communication and Information System’s Nomonde Mnukwa says finance, real estate, manufacturing, agriculture and government services also recorded increases:

# International Relations expert Phiwokuhle Mnyandu says the US cannot be replaced as a key trading partner. Mnyandu told SABC News that South Africa should prioritise dialogue to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties with Washington. Mnyandu argues that maintaining a stable relationship with the US is crucial for South Africa’s long-term growth. He warns that shifting away from this partnership could undermine the country’s global positioning and economic stability:

# Russian president Vladimir Putin hailed what his commanders told him was the full capture of the city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine as an important victory after a prolonged campaign. Putin told the Army’s top brass in a video it would help Moscow fulfil its wider war aims. The city’s fall, if confirmed, gives Moscow a platform to drive north towards the two biggest remaining Ukrainian-controlled cities in the Donetsk region, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. Ukraine did not yet acknowledge Putin’s claim that Pokrovsk had fallen.

# Cricket: A back problem will keep Australian opener Usman Khawaja out of the second Ashes Test against England, starting at the Gabba in Brisbane on Thursday. He couldn’t open the hosts’ innings in the first Test in Perth because of back spasms and still experiences some discomfort. Khawaja won’t be replaced in the squad and it is expected Travis Head will again open the batting for Australia after scoring 123 in Perth, when they won by eight wickets within two days. Khawaja will stay with the squad.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-11-cents and the euro at 19-rand-88-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-59-cents and Bitcoin trades at 88-thousand-909-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-215-dollars-21-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-18-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….