News 09:00

BULLETIN 25 February 9 am 

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa calls for consequence management for corrupt leaders
# An Israeli delegation is headed to Qatar for more Hamas hostage talks
# And, rugby: The Blitzboks crash out after losing to Ireland

# ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa has called for consequence management for corrupt leaders, stating that corruption must be treated as a crime against South Africans. He called for corrupt leaders to be held accountable and emphasised the need for building a social compact against corruption with law enforcement. Ramaphosa also stressed the importance of protecting whistle-blowers:

# The Health and Allied Workers Indaba Trade Union has condemned the Gauteng Department of Health for its decision to cancel overtime for doctors. It warns it will lead to dire consequences for patients and the healthcare system. HAITU president Rich Sicina emphasises it will exacerbate the existing shortage of doctors and says it will cause the further deterioration of the already fragile healthcare system in the province:

# Israel’s war cabinet yesterday approved sending negotiators to Qatar to continue talks aimed at securing a ceasefire in the war against Hamas and the return of hostages being held in Gaza. The talks began in Paris, with mediators from the United States, Egypt and Qatar. Israel says it would not necessarily mean the end of the war and it would not accept any US-Saudi deal for a Palestinian state. An AFP reporter in Rafah says there were at least six air strikes on the city last night.

# Rugby: The Springbok Sevens side went down 22-10 to Ireland in their final Pool C game at the Vancouver Sevens last night. News24 reports, the loss to Ireland sees the South Africans finish at the bottom of Pool C. The Blitzboks will now have to be content with a playoff for ninth position later today. They had beaten New Zealand 21-12 in their opening game on Friday, before losing 17-12 to Great Britain. The women’s sevens team also bent the knee, after losing against Japan this morning, 24-5. Last night Brazil beat them 17-12.

# And finally: The Rural Health Advocacy Project has called for public awareness campaigns regarding HIV prevention, treatment and care. This comes as Health minister Joe Phaahla expressed concern about the number of people not on antiretroviral therapy, despite being HIV-positive. Director Russell Rensburg highlighted an increased prevalence of HIV among older groups, with nearly one in four people over 40 living with HIV:

Stay tuned for more news………….