News 08:00

BULLETIN 20 December 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA says it is concerned by Eskom’s mismanagement
# Cosatu supports an increase of 1.5-percent in the National Minimum Wage
# And cricket: Pakistan claim an ODI series win over the Proteas

# The DA says despite receiving a staggering 76-billion-rand bailout from the government, Eskom posted a pre-tax loss of 25-billion-rand, which ballooned to 55-billion-rand after tax. The party says the audit report, which notes that material uncertainty relating to the power utility’s ability to continue as a going concern, is of particular concern. The DA’s Kevin Mileham says the exorbitant electricity tariff hikes that will plunge millions of vulnerable citizens into energy poverty would be unnecessary if Eskom addressed operational inefficiencies and cost controls instead:

# Cosatu says it will be presenting its submission to support the National Minimum Wage Commission’ recommendations of 1.5-percent increase for the national minimum wage for the 2025 financial year and finalise its proposals to Employment and Labour minister Nomakhosazana Meth. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks says the federation is urging  the Minister to announce the final increase and ensure it comes into effect by no later than 1 March 2025:

# The Border Management Authority is working with Airports Company South Africa to tackle festive season challenges at international airports. Addressing the media, the authority’s commissioner Michael Masiapato said they are improving the immigration process by adding new biometric systems and extra staff to handle more travellers:

# The Georgia Court of Appeals has disqualified Fulton County District Attorney, Fani Willis, from her prosecution of president-elect Donald Trump and his co-defendants in their election interference case. Trump and 18 others pleaded not guilty last year to all charges in a sweeping racketeering indictment, for alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in the state of Georgia. The court found that a significant appearance of impropriety was enough to potentially taint the case in the public eye. 

# Cricket: Pakistan defeated South Africa by 81 runs in the second ODI at Newlands in Cape Town, to take an unassailable two-nil lead in the three-match series. Debutant Kwena Maphaka took four wickets, while Mohammad Rizwan scored 80 as the visitors were bowled out for 329. In reply, Heinrich Klaasen’s 97 was not enough as the Proteas were dismissed for 248. The final ODI is at the Wanderers on Sunday. Captain Temba Bavuma says they were not at their best:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-40-cents and the euro at 19-rand-6-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-98-cents and Bitcoin trades at 97-thousand-258-dollars-3-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-599-dollars-61-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-43-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….