News 18:00

BULLETIN 2 November 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Migration Committee warns against criminal groups hijacking community protests ahead of the elections 
# French student protests resume on a smaller scale after the school holidays
# And, President Ramaphosa praises the Premier Soccer League’s achievements

# The Technical Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration and various civic formations are calling for peaceful and smooth local government elections. The call follows a meeting with community groups, including Hlangana Mzansi and Bhinca Nation, led by media personality Ngizwe Mchunu, to discuss crime, irregular migration, illegal firearms and gaps in law enforcement. Government deputy spokesperson William Baloyi says all eligible South Africans must be allowed to vote freely, without intimidation or obstruction:

Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission is mourning the death of an election official who collapsed and died while on duty in the North West on the first day of special voting. Another official was injured after being hit by a car in KwaZulu-Natal and taken to hospital. The commission has extended its condolences to the deceased official’s family. IEC deputy CEO, Masego Sheburi hopes for a smooth continuation of the special voting process:

# The Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index has improved for a second consecutive month, rising to 49.6 points in October from a revised 48.7 points in September. However, the manufacturing sector remains under pressure, with business activity and new orders still below the 50-point mark. Employment remains weak, while rising fuel costs and a weaker rand have pushed up manufacturers’ purchasing prices. The Bureau for Economic Research says businesses remain cautious because of uncertainty around Wednesday’s local government elections, transport problems and weak consumer demand.

# French high school students have resumed protests after a two-week holiday break, but demonstrations are significantly smaller than before schools closed. By Monday morning, 41 schools or about one percent had been blockaded or faced attempted blockades, compared with hundreds before the break. Students are demanding better school facilities, more teachers, additional university places and a fairer admissions system. The government has announced billions of euros in education measures, including smaller classes and school renovations, but student groups say the concessions are not enough.

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has praised the Premier Soccer League for its contribution to South African football, describing it as the best-organised league on the continent. During a visit to the PSL headquarters in Johannesburg today, Ramaphosa says football remains the country’s most supported sport at 77-percent, bringing happiness to millions of people. He also commended the PSL for its popular derby, which he says has been trademarked. The President has encouraged football supporters to participate in the upcoming local government elections:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-61-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-64-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-29-cents and Bitcoin trades at 77-thousand-871-dollars. Gold sells at three-thousand-947-dollars-85-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 110-dollars-86-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….