News 17:00

BULLETIN 16 February 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Police minister announces ongoing efforts against the construction mafia
# The Universal Basic Income Coalition condemns government’s grant regulations 
# And Rugby: Jake White is unconvinced that private equity would bring the top Boks back to South Africa

# Police minister Bheki Cele has reported a surge in arrests against the construction mafia, with 61 suspects detained since April. Notable successes include thwarting an extortion attempt on a 320-million-rand housing project in Randfontein, Gauteng. Briefing the media on the quarterly crime statistics, Cele says the Western Cape showcased substantial progress in dismantling the construction mafia, leading to the arrest of allged key figures such as Ralph Stanfield and Nafiz Modack:

# The Universal Basic Income Coalition has criticised government for introducing punitive measures in the grant regulations, which could harm beneficiaries. Among these additions is a proposal to recover funds from beneficiaries deemed to have irregularly benefited or were ineligible. The coalition argues government has neglected to address exclusionary provisions that hinder millions from accessing the grant. It urges government to extend the Social Relief of Distress grant and implement a basic income grant as part of an inclusive development policy framework.

# A 13-year-old learner has been apprehended for allegedly shooting the school principal at a school in Primrose, Germiston in Ekurhuleni. Police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi reports that investigations are ongoing, including tracing the firearm’s origin. She says the teenager is scheduled to appear in court in the near future:

# Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has died in prison. He was serving a 19-year-term at the Arctic prison colony. Russia’s federal penitentiary service says Navalny lost consciousness after going for a walk and could not be revived by medics. The country’s Investigative Committee says it had opened an investigation into his death. Citing his spokesperson, Russian news agencies reported that president Vladimir Putin had been informed of Navalny’s death. The 47-year old Navalny won a huge following with his criticism of corruption in Russia.

# Rugby: SA Rugby confirmed this week that they are engaged in conversations with a private equity company, but says any agreement that may be reached, requires the approval of the 14 member unions. Private equity aims to provide a financial boost, as well as the expertise, networks and resources to enhance the commercial value of South African rugby. Bulls director of rugby Jake White is unconvinced the capital injection would actually bring top players back to South Africa:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-94-cents and the euro at 20-rand-36-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-79-cents and Bitcoin trades at 52-thousand-246-dollars-47-cents. Gold sells at one-thousand-999-dollars-92-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-23-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….