News 18:00

BULLETIN 26 October 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Bureau for Economic Research says Treasury has stabilised debt but needs a stronger fiscal anchor 
# Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola commends the team for a 200-million-rand cocaine seizure at the OR Tambo International Airport
# And, soccer: England’s Harry Kane is the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or tonight

# The Bureau for Economic Research says the National Treasury has restored confidence in South Africa’s public finances, with government debt expected to have peaked at 78.4-percent of gross domestic product in the 2025/2026 financial year. However, the bureau states the proposed fiscal framework does not go far enough, as it lacks a firm debt ceiling or a clear long-term target for reducing debt. It warns stricter rules are needed to ensure future governments maintain spending discipline, especially as pressure to spend more increases.

# National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola has commended the multidisciplinary law enforcement team which intercepted and seized approximately 250 kilograms of cocaine at OR Tambo International Airport. Officials intercepted five luggage bags, which arrived in South Africa from Brazil yesterday, containing 216 blocks of cocaine valued at over 200-million-rand. National Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says Masemola views the seizure as a testament to the effectiveness of coordinated law enforcement efforts and the commitment of frontline officers to disrupting drug trafficking networks:

# The Motor Industry Staff Association calls for a nationwide audit of police vehicle storage facilities after the High Court in Pretoria found the Police Ministry liable for a car stripped of its parts while in police custody. The woman’s Volkswagen Golf was returned without its engine, gearbox and several other components after being stored at a police facility in Pretoria West. MISA’s Phakamile Hlubi-Majola says police must tighten security and hold negligent officials accountable:

# Soccer: England’s captain, Harry Kane, is reportedly the favourite to win the coveted Ballon d’Or tonight. That would make him the first British winner in 25 years. Bayern Munich’s striker scored 73 goals in 65 games last season. French captain Kylian Mbappé, who plays for Spanish giants Real Madrid, and Spanish star Lamine Yamal, who plays for Barcelona in his fatherland, are also in contention. The ceremony in London will be the first in England in recognition of the very first winner, Stanley Matthews, 70 years ago.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-68-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-64-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-24-cents and Bitcoin trades at 79-thousand-682-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-and-2-dollars-81-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 115-dollars-46-cents a barrel.

# And finally, South Korea is hoping its celebrity shark, Bukangi, is finally back at sea after becoming stranded in a canal in the port city of Busan. The three-metre female dusky shark is believed to have been attracted there by an abundance of fish to feed on. She drew huge crowds as rescuers tried to guide her back to the ocean. After several failed attempts, officials eventually saw her swimming towards open water last week. There have been no further sightings, raising hopes she has finally made it home.

Stay tuned for more news………….