News 09:00

BULLETIN 30 December 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The MK calls for constructive dialogue between the Mozambican government and the opposition
# The Western Cape police management condemns the rape of a Malmesbury woman at a police station office
# And Rugby: A Lions lock is banned for five matches after his third red card

# The MK Party has called on the government and opposition in Mozambique to engage in constructive and inclusive dialogue to address grievances and ensure electoral processes meet the highest standards of fairness. The party’s spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela says MK stands in solidarity with the people of Mozambique but is demanding greater transparency and democracy and a commitment to peaceful dialogue to resolve the current situation. It says the Southern African Development Community should take a proactive role in mediating the crisis, while all stakeholders should protect Mozambique’s infrastructure and resources.

Meanwhile, the South African Communist Party has condemned the post-election violence in Mozambique, accusing those seeking destabilisation and are often supported by imperialist forces by overt or covert means. The party says the ruling FRELIMO, as a liberation movement, historically won the recent elections and was also confirmed by the highest court of the land based on evidence on the standards of free and fair elections. The SACP reiterate its solidarity with FRELIMO.

#  Western Cape provincial police commissioner, Thembisile Patekile, has condemned the rape of a 41-year-old woman by a police sergeant at the Malmesbury police station office on Christmas Day. Police spokesperson, Novela Potelwa, says a rape case was subsequently opened by the victim on Friday, leading to the arrest of the policeman in question. Potelwa says the investigation has since been taken over by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate:

# Rugby: Lock Ruben Schoeman will only be available to play for the Lions at the end of February again after being banned for five matches. This follows his red card in last weekend’s United Rugby Championship match against the Stormers in Cape Town. Schoeman charged into a ruck illegally halfway through the first half, with his team eventually going down 29-10. He apologised and admitted to being wrong, but two previous red cards counted against him and copped him an additional suspension of two weeks.

# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-66-cents and the euro at 19-rand-45-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-47-cents and Bitcoin trades at 93-thousand-187-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-622-dollars-38-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-74-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The National Sea Rescue Institute is urging coastal communities and visitors to exercise caution during the upcoming new moon spring tide, which will peak tomorrow, as it significantly impacts tidal conditions. NSRI spokesperson Andrew Ingram says this natural phenomenon occurs when the sun, moon, and Earth align during the new moon phase, amplifying the gravitational pull on Earth’s oceans:

Stay tuned for more news………….