Hi Bru, welcome to another edition of MorningBru, a bit of a shorter one today so let’s get straight to it

Market View

This Weeks Overview

National Headlines:

• SARS Commissioner grants special permission for jet fuel imports, averting a holiday travel crisis at OR Tambo and other airports.

• Two Stellenbosch students uncover large-scale fraud in SASSA's SRD grant system, revealing stolen funds and systemic vulnerabilities.

Interesting Internationally:

• A German mayor banned cactus plants from municipal buildings after an injury incident involving a cactus at a school.

• A viral video shows a dog atop Egypt’s Great Pyramid of Giza

National Stories:

Fuel crisis:
South Africa’s holiday travel plans are back on track, thanks to SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter’s decision to allow the importation of jet fuel for a year. This special permission, effective from 21 October 2024, comes after concerns about a looming fuel shortage at OR Tambo and other airports. The issue stemmed from regulatory delays in licensing fuel imports and storage after local refineries shut down. SARS noted that the delay was due to industry challenges with compliance. With this reprieve, the aviation industry can focus on resolving regulatory complexities, ensuring smooth travel for the December holiday period.(Source article)

Student finds:
Two Stellenbosch University first-year students, Joel Cedras and Veer Gosai, have uncovered massive fraud within the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant system, administered by SASSA. After noticing that their own R370 grants were being stolen, the pair investigated and found a bank account fraudulently opened in Cedras’ name, receiving the funds. Delving further, they discovered that roughly 91% of people born in February 2005 had active SRD applications—an unusually high figure.

SASSA admitted its system had been breached, blaming banks for failing to enforce proper verification procedures. The students recommend a complete overhaul of the grant system, calling for re-verification of all applicants to combat widespread fraud. Their findings have drawn attention, sparking demands for accountability and stronger oversight. (Source article)

Interesting Internationally

Sharp decisions:
In a move that’s raising eyebrows, the mayor of Plettenberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, has banned cacti from all municipal buildings, including schools and nurseries. The unusual order came after an adult man injured himself on a cactus in a school, prompting concerns about potential harm to children. Mayor Ulrich Schulte stressed that while some might find the ban excessive, the goal is to protect the safety of employees and students. The council has since successfully implemented the ban, removing all spiky plants from public spaces. Who knew cacti could be such a prickly issue?(Source article)

Article:
In a surreal scene that has gone viral, a dog was spotted barking atop Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza. The jaw-dropping footage was captured by adventure athlete Marshall Mosher while paragliding over the iconic 4,500-year-old monument. Social media users were quick to nickname the dog “Anubis Pup” after the Egyptian god of the underworld.

While some viewers expressed concern for the dog's safety, Mosher reassured them in a follow-up post, explaining that the dogs often roam the area and have no trouble scaling the 454-foot pyramid. The viral video has sparked amazement, with Mosher inviting others to join next year’s paragliding event over the pyramids for a chance to meet the adventurous "King Pupankhumuns." (Source article)

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