News 18:00
BULLETIN 20 November 6 pm
Good afternoon. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# Transnet says it could take up to 15 weeks to clear the Durban port backlog
# ActionSA expresses disappointment as the ANC/EFF coalition keeps the council speaker position
# And Cricket: Australia’s two final heroes weren’t even supposed to play in the World Cup
# Transnet estimates it will take seven to 15 weeks to clear the 63 vessels anchored off the port of Durban, causing delays that may impact the Christmas rush for importers. Plans are being made to speed up container handling at Durban container terminals Piers 1 and 2. The plans include ramping up container handling capacities and addressing short-term challenges. The backlog is affecting regional trade, with a recent border clash at the Lebombo border crossing and increased use of alternative ports. Transnet is negotiating congestion surcharge fee releases with shipping lines.
# ActionSA has expressed dissatisfaction as the ANC/EFF coalition retains the City of Johannesburg’s speaker. African Independent Congress councillor Margaret Arnolds assumed the role, succeeding the ousted Colleen Makhubele. ActionSA Gauteng chairperson, Funzi Ngobeni voiced disappointment in the absence of their coalition partner, the DA, during today’s council sitting. Ngobeni insists that the DA should be accountable to residents for their actions. He emphasises the commitment to persist in efforts to remove the ANC/EFF-led coalition from governance in the City of Johannesburg:
Play sound: ENG-NgobeniOnDemocraticAlliance
# The DA says the Emfuleni Local Municipality in Gauteng has spent over half a billion-rand on employee overtime, yet service delivery has deteriorated. It says despite claims that the overtime payments improved services, residents continue to suffer with delayed refuse collection, water shortages, and poor road conditions. According to a response to DA inquiries, 537.9-million-rand was spent on overtime, with significant amounts during the 2020/21 and 2021/22 financial years. The DA plans to pressure the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Mzi Khumalo, to address the situation.
# Cricket: Australia’s two heroes in the World Cup final against India weren’t even expecting to play in the tournament. Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne shared a match-winning partnership of 192 runs to help their country beat hosts India by six wickets and clinch the trophy for a record sixth time. Head broke his hand just two weeks before the start of the tournament, while Labuschagne was only brought in when teammates got injured. Head was named player of the match for his 137 runs, while Labuschagne contributed an unbeaten 58.
# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-40-cents and the euro at 20-rand-13-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-97-cents and Bitcoin trades at 37-thousand-266-dollars-74-cents. Gold sells at one-thousand-969-dollars-30-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-34-cents a barrel.
# And finally: The Faith Action to End GBV Collective initiated a mobilisation campaign in response to alarming crime statistics. During the 2nd Quarter, despite a 35.9-percent reduction in sexual offences, over 10-thousand rape incidents involving female victims were reported. Faith leaders and communities participating in the campaign pledge to prevent gender-based violence, aligning with the National Strategic Plan’s goals. Coordinator Daniela Gennrich told SABC News that the faith-based sector has a vital role to play in combating gender-based violence and femicide:
Stay tuned for more news………….