News 09:00

BULLETIN 3 February 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# RISE Mzansi leader spends voter registration weekend in Gauteng and Eastern Cape
# Government makes big changes to employment equity targets
# Rugby: Irish claim bonus-point Six Nations win over 14-man hosts in Marseille

# RISE Mzansi leader, Songezo Zibi, will be spending  the final voter registration weekend encouraging unregistered voters in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape to visit their nearest voting stations. He says those who have moved since the last election should update their details with the Electoral Commission. RISE Mzansi spokesperson, Mabine Seabe, says this weekend marks the final registration weekend ahead of the national and provincial elections later this year:

# The DA in Gauteng is demanding that the MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, urgently implement stringent and enhanced safety measures for learner transport across the province. A Grade six learner from Modiselle Primary School in Ga-Rankuwa, Tshwane, lost his life in a tragic transport incident recently. The DA’s Sergio dos Santos urges the community, parents and stakeholders to join hands in advocating for improved learner transport standards to ensure the safety of every child:

# Government has revised proposed new employment equity targets, eliminating specific quotas for African, coloured, Indian and white workers. A single target now applies to designated groups, including black people – Africans, coloureds and Indians; women, and people with disabilities who are South African citizens. The targets remove the distinction between provincial and national goals. Manufacturing companies must ensure at least 40-percent of top management are from designated groups, with 15-percent being women. Government emphasises these are not quotas and prohibits any terminations due to affirmative action.

# Brussels yesterday summoned the Israeli ambassador Idit Rosenzweig-Abu after a Belgian development agency building in Gaza City was bombed. Foreign minister Hadja Lahbib says attacks on civilian infrastructure breach the principles of international humanitarian law. The Belgian Ministry for Development Cooperation said it was not aware of any civilian casualties. Rosenzweig-Abu promised an investigation. Belgium is one of the countries that has called for a lasting humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and criticised Israel for its handling of the conflict.

# And, rugby: Ireland kicked off their Six Nations title defence by claiming their biggest ever away win over 14-man France in Marseille. Irish tries by Jamison Gibson-Park and Tadhg Beirne combined with France’s Paul Willemse’s sending off had Ireland in a strong position after 30 minutes. Damian Penaud’s try breathed new life into France just before half-time. But despite captain Peter O’Mahony’s yellow card, Ireland overcame their hosts to record a statement win of 38-17. Italy are up against England today, with Wales taking on Scotland.

Stay tuned for more news………….