News 09:00

BULLETIN 4 January 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Western Cape MEC urges road safety following a near-miss incident on the N1
# The ATM backs legal action following an alleged Food Lover’s Market racist incident
# And Motorsport: Hamilton says he could not be more excited for the year ahead in Formula One

# The Western Cape MEC for Mobility, Isaac Sileku, narrowly avoided a potential collision when he was almost driven off the road by a reckless driver on the N1 between Three Sisters and Beaufort West. The individual was travelling at 182 kilometres per hour and subsequently arrested for excessive speeding. The MEC says the incident highlights the ongoing dangers posed by negligent and reckless driving, especially during the peak holiday travel season:

# The African Transformation Movement says it supports the legal action against Henry Coppens for allegedly racially abusing Rendani Ravele at a Food Lover’s Market store in Fourways, Johannesburg. National spokesperson, Zama Ntshona, says a case, registered at Douglasdale Police Station, highlights South Africa’s ongoing struggle against racism. Ntshona says that Coppens’ use of the term ‘baboon’ underscores the deep-rooted inequalities in society:

# Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi is attending the funeral of traffic warden Chesnay Keppler in Eldorado Park today. Keppler was tragically murdered last week by her boyfriend, a police officer. Lesufi condemned the killing, mourning the loss of a selfless community servant and vowing justice. He has called on authorities to ensure justice is served.

# The office of Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says a delegation has been approved to resume ceasefire negotiations in Qatar. American, Qatari and Egyptian mediators have spent nearly a year trying to broker a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas, but those efforts have repeatedly stalled with both sides blaming the other for their failure. According to Netanyahu’s office, representatives of the Mossad intelligence agency and the military will attend the talks. There has been no immediate comment from Hamas.

# Motorsport: Lewis Hamilton says he could not be more excited for the year ahead as the seven-times world champion prepares for his first Formula One season with Ferrari. Hamilton, who turns 40 on Tuesday, has joined the Italian giants from Mercedes, with whom he won six of his drivers’ world titles. But the lure of racing for Ferrari, arguably the most celebrated team in Grand Prix history, proved too strong, with Hamilton hoping his move inspires others to seize new opportunities.

Stay tuned for more news………….