News 13:00

BULLETIN 22 December 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC applauds Eskom for stabilising the national grid
# Minister Gwarube warns that the BELA Act will not be used for politics
# And, cricket: A teenage spinner takes 5 for 33 as Afghanistan overwhelms Zimbabwe

# The ANC has praised Eskom’s efforts, as South Africa marks 290 days without load-shedding. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula told the media that the improved maintenance and the energy action plan have stabilised the grid, with surplus electricity expected in January. Mbalula emphasised that challenges like illegal connections persist. He says the ANC urges enhanced payment for services to support economic growth and sustain electricity supply improvements:

# Basic Education minister, Siviwe Gwarube vows to protect schools from political exploitation pertaining to the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act, emphasising safety and learning. Gwarube highlights the importance of mother-tongue education for better outcomes while safeguarding all 12 official languages. She warns against victimisation and commits to placing learners’ welfare at the center of BELA Act implementation, ensuring quality education for 13.5 million learners:

# The group, Mining Affected Communities United in Action, has vowed to appeal a decision by the High Court in Pretoria dismissing its application to compel rescue operations for trapped miners in Stilfontein, North West. Activists have labelled it a death sentence. MACUA says the ruling highlights systemic failures, including the state’s neglect of mine closure regulations while prioritising policing over miners’ right to life. The organisation demands immediate state action and systemic reform to protect vulnerable communities affected by mining industry negligence.

# The German government faces growing questions about whether more could have been done to prevent the Christmas market car-ramming attack that killed five people and injured over 200. The Saudi suspect, 50-year-old psychiatrist and anti-Islam activist Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, had made online death threats against German citizens and had a history of quarrelling with state authorities. News magazine Der Spiegel reports the Saudi secret service had warned Germany’s spy agency a year ago about a tweet in which Abdulmohsen threatened Germany would pay a price for its treatment of Saudi refugees.

# And, cricket: Teenage spinner Allah Ghazanfar took five for 33 as Afghanistan overwhelmed Zimbabwe by eight wickets yesterday for a 2-0 one-day international series win. The 18-year-old followed up a six-wicket haul against Bangladesh last month with a man-of-the-match show in Harare as the tourists crushed the hosts for the second time in three days. The opening ODI in the three-match series was washed out on Tuesday.

Stay tuned for more news………….