News 13:00

BULLETIN 8 February 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A Court bars Julius Malema and the EFF top brass from attending SONA
# Santaco assures commuters the surge in fuel prices won’t impact their taxi fares
# And Soccer: Hugo Broos is proud of brave Bafana

# EFF leader Julius Malema and the party’s top leadership faced another setback as the Western Cape High Court rejected their bid to interdict their suspension from tonight’s state of the nation address. Malema, deputy president Floyd Shivambu, secretary-general Marshall Dlamini, senior members Vuyani Pambo and Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, and party spokesperson Sinawo Tambo will not be at the event when president Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the nation. The EFF leaders were found guilty of contempt of Parliament after they stormed the stage during last year’s SONA.

# Taxi council Santaco has assured commuters this week’s surge in fuel prices will not lead to immediate increases in taxi fares. The Energy Department’s announcement of significant fuel price hikes has prompted concerns. Santaco’s spokesperson, Rebecca Phala, says their fare index policy dictates an annual adjustment. According to Phala, the council is committed to keeping transportation affordable for ordinary citizens, with potential route-specific fare evaluations if the situation worsens.

# The National Consumer Commission has called on customers who purchased peanut butter from Pick n Pay to report any health issues. This follows after three brands of peanut butter were recalled from the store due to health and safety concerns. Following some testing, these products were found to have higher than regulated levels of Aflatoxin. The commission’s Prudence Moilwa told eNCA this might constitute a health risk for those who have consumed large amounts of the product:

# Soccer: Bafana Bafana’s campaign for continental glory ended last night in the semifinal of the Africa Cup of Nations, after they were beaten by Nigeria on penalties. The match ended one-all after extra time and then goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved two penalties as Nigeria booked a place in the final. Bafana coach Hugo Broos says they put South African soccer back on the map:

# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-96-cents and the euro at 20-rand-43-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-94-cents and Bitcoin trades at 34-thousand-686-dollars-57-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-and-29-dollars-87-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-8-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Kidnappings in South Africa have remained on the rise despite the establishment of a task team to help resolve the issue. Police continue being overwhelmed by the sharp increase in kidnappings across the country. Security expert Yaseen Theba told eNCA some hijackers are now turning to abductions as it’s a lucrative crime:

Stay tuned for more news………….