ENGLISH BULLETIN 3PM – 19 SEPTEMBER 2024

In your top stories this hour
# ANC joins voices against Eskom’s request for tariff hikes
# Mbalua praises Pravin Gordhan for his stance against corruption and state capture
AND
# Economists predict a rate-cutting cycle going into 2026

The time is 3 o’clock, I’m ___________. Good afternoon.

# The African National Congress (ANC) in Parliament has joined several voices condemning Eskom’s request for tariff hikes for the upcoming financial year.
Members of the National Assembly will debate the matter this afternoon.
According to the ANC, the proposed double-digit hike is unacceptable.
Eskom approached the National Energy Regulator of South Africa seeking a 36-percent tariff increase.
The party raised concerns over the strain the increase would have on cash-strapped South Africans.

# ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula praised former Finance and Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan for leading a resolute charge against corruption and state capture.
Mbalula spoke at Gordhan’s Special Official Category Two funeral in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal today.
Family, friends and dignitaries are gathered at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre to pay their last respects.
Gordhan will later be cremated in a private ceremony.
Mbalula says those who criticised Gordhan were most likely the beneficiaries of state capture.
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# The Gauteng Education Department issued more than 293-thousand placement offers for Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners today.
Over 148-thousand-744 offers were successfully accepted by parents.
Applicants who do not accept placement offers within seven school days will be auto-placed at the school that made an offer.
MEC Matome Chiloane says applicants who did not receive an SMS should visit the department’s website for placement updates.
The department’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona, says the placement period will continue throughout the remainder of the year until all learners are placed.
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# The Wynberg Magistrate’s Court in the Western Cape has postponed the assault trial against a former Rondebosch teacher to November 26.
The matter, which was scheduled for today, was postponed after the magistrate called in sick.
The retired Rondebosch Boys school teacher, Iain Wares, allegedly physically and sexually abused a former pupil in 1988.
Wares also faces more than 70 charges related to similar offences in the United Kingdom.
A second state witness was due to testify.

# Economists predict that South Africa will start an interest rate-cutting cycle from today going into 2026.
This comes as the South African Reserve Bank is expected to start cutting interest rates today.
According to Investec’s Chief Economist, Annabel Bishop, the bank will likely cut rates by 25 basis points.
Rates remain at their highest level in 15 years, as the repo rate is currently at eight-point-two-five percent and the prime lending rate at 11-point-seven-five percent.
Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago will announce the Monetary Policy Committee’s latest decision on interest rates later today.

In international news,
# Lebanon’s civil aviation has banned the use of pagers and walkie-talkies on board any aircraft after devices exploded in a second coordinated attack.
At least 20 people died and more than 450 were injured a day after multiple pager explosions killed 12 people and wounded thousands.
The death toll from two attacks across the country has risen to 37.
The attacks are believed to be organised by Israel to target the militant group Hezbollah.

And in sports news,
# Rugby supporters can book their spot at the Cape Town sevens tournament at the DHL Stadium next week.
The tournament is the second in the series and matches will be played on 7 and 8 December in the Mother City.
The season starts on 30 November with the Dubai tournament.
Tickets will be available on Wednesday morning from nine o’clock on Ticketmaster, with the cheapest selling for 250 Rand.

# A SHORT while ago, Gold was selling at two-thousand-589-dollars-99 a fine ounce and a barrel of Brent crude will cost 74-dollars–37.
One US Dollar will cost 17-rand-43 one British Pound 23-rand-16 and the Euro is currently trading at 19-rand-44.
The price for one Bitcoin is currently trading at 63-thousand-081-dollars-66.

Steve Mabona School placement offers

Fikile Mbalula  Pravin Gordhan Funeral Tribute