News 09:00
BULLETIN 29 February 9 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# The state has spent over ten-million-rand in its legal battle with John Hlophe
# South Africa’s summer harvest faces risks due to inadequate rain and an ongoing heatwave
# And, the United Nation’s high commissioner for Human Rights is alarmed at Ghana’s Parliament passing an anti-gay bill
# Justice and Correctional Services minister Ronald Lamola says the state has spent over ten-million-rand in its 16-year legal battle against now impeached Western Cape judge president John Hlophe. Last week, Parliament voted for Hlophe’s removal, after the Judicial Service Commission found him guilty of gross misconduct. He attempted to persuade two Constitutional Court judges to favour then-president Jacob Zuma in the arms deal case. Lamola says 914-thousand-400-rand is still to be paid as there are disputes on invoices being addressed.
# Leading agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo has cautioned that South Africa’s summer harvest faces risks due to inadequate rain and the ongoing heatwaves. The planting period initially showed promise with consistent rainfall from October to January. Sihlobo says farmers now express concerns about crop quality for the upcoming harvest:
# The Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Fire Services say it has made good progress in trying to contain the Du Toit’s Kloof fire. The fire broke out close to Du Kloof Lodge in Du Toitskloof Pass on the N1 yesterday afternoon, and quickly spread toward the road, disrupting traffic flow. The municipality’s spokesperson, Jo-Anne Otto, says the fire line above the entrance to the Huguenot Tunnel has been contained:
# United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, says he is alarmed by Ghana’s Parliament passing a controversial anti-gay bill. The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill imposes a prison sentence of up to three years for anyone convicted of identifying as LGBTQ-plus. It also imposes a maximum five-year jail term for forming or funding LGBTQ-plus groups. Türk sys criminal sanctions for consensual same-sex conduct violate key international human rights norms and standards on equality and non-discrimination.
# Soccer: Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest one-nil to set up an FA Cup quarterfinal clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford. Casemiro scored the winner in the 89th minute, his fifth goal of the season. Goals from Lewis Koumas and two from Jayden Danns secured Liverpool’s three-nil win over Southampton. Chelsea is also through to the last eight after beating Leeds United three-two. Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag, says they created a lot of opportunities:
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-24-cents and the euro at 20-rand-85-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-38-cents and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-13-dollars-86-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-35-dollars-78-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-4-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….