News 06:00

BULLETIN 2 February 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Fikile Mbalula says Jacob Zuma’s response to his suspension letter is irrelevant
# The National Assembly will vote on the impeachment of John Hlophe and Nkoala Motata later this month
# And cricket, New Zealand seek their first Test series victory over South Africa

# ANC’s Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula, says the party will press on with disciplinary action against former president Jacob Zuma, even if he does not respond to the letter of suspension. Zuma’s membership was suspended on Monday, for breaking the ANC’s constitution and bringing the party into disrepute, through his involvement in the formation of the uMkonto we Sizwe Party. Mbalula says the National Executive Committee is committed to upholding organisational discipline and preserving the ANC’s constitutional framework:

# The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse has urged businesses on Sector Education and Training Authorities boards to probe irregularities and hold officials accountable. The Graduate Institute of Financial Sciences alleges 700 graduates lack official certification from the Insurance SETA, citing ghost learners receiving fake certificates. OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage highlights the gravity of the allegations and vows to pursue corruption claims within INSETA rigorously, engaging whistleblowers and escalating reports accordingly.

# The National Assembly will vote on the removal of Western Cape Judge President, John Hlophe, and retired Judge, Nkoala Motata, on the 21st of this month. In November last year, the Parliament’s portfolio committee on Justice and Correctional Services resolved to recommend that the National Assembly support the removal of both judges after the Judicial Service Commission made findings of gross misconduct against them. Hlophe is challenging his impeachment in court. A two-thirds majority is needed in the National Assembly to remove a judge.

# Gautrain management agency’s new CEO, Tshepo Kgobe, says his priority is maintaining the high operational efficiency and clean governance that led to eleven consecutive clean audits. Taking over from William Dachs, Kgobe aims to make the agency financially sustainable. He is planning property development around stations, greening operations, and transitioning to hydrogen-powered transport. Kgobe envisions Gautrain precincts as hubs for business, retail, and social activities, contributing to economic growth and job creation:

# The US has reportedly approved plans for a series of strikes in Iraq and Syria against multiple targets including Iranian personnel and facilities. This follows a drone attack that killed three US soldiers in Jordan, near the Syrian border. The US has blamed an Iranian-backed militant group for the attack. Several Iran-backed groups in the Middle East have stepped up attacks on America and Israeli-linked entities amid Israel’s ongoing war with Hamas. US Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin, says they will not tolerate attacks on American troops:

# Cricket: New Zealand won’t take South Africa lightly in the two-match series starting in Mount Maunganui on Sunday, despite the visitors fielding an inexperienced team. Eight players in the Proteas group have yet to make their Test debuts because the regular players all stayed behind for the SA20. The news from New Zealand is that the Black Caps have taken note of the Windies’ unexpected victory over Australia in the second Test in Brisbane. The Kiwis are still seeking their first Test series victory over South Africa.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-57-cents and the euro at 20-rand-19-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-68-cents and Bitcoin trades at 43-thousand-147-dollars-21-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-53-dollars-54-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-26-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….