News 07:00

BULLETIN 10 January 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# BOSA condemns the 24-million-rand spent on the police ministry
# The parliamentary police committee condemns the actions of Mashatile’s bodyguards
# And tennis: Murray says coaching Djokovic is a unique opportunity

# Build One South Africa has condemned the 24-million-rand annual expenditure on the private staff of Police minister Senzo Mchunu. The party argues this considerable expenditure, disclosed in response to a written parliamentary question, is a misuse of public funds, especially amid challenging economic conditions. They insist the money should be redirected towards more pressing needs, such as improving police services and public safety. BOSA’s Roger Solomons calls for greater transparency and accountability in government spending.

# Parliament’s portfolio committee on Police has strongly condemned the mishandling and maltreatment of a Khayelitsha man in his own home by the South African Police Service VIP protection unit members. The incident occurred while ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile was on a door-to-door campaign in the area ahead of the party’s birthday celebration rally in Cape Town on Saturday. Committee chairperson, Ian Cameron, says while he acknowledges that ensuring the security of the protectee is paramount, it should be done within reason and the confines of the law. 

# General industries union Giwusa condemns the South African Police for destroying a pulley system used to rescue trapped miners in a disused mine in Stilfontein, in North West. The union claims the police’s actions are responsible for the deaths of over 100 illegal miners and is demanding an investigation into the incident. Giwusa president, Mametlwe Sebei says they will embark on a protest in Klerksdorp to seek justice for the miners:

# The Durban Magistrate’s Court has reserved judgment in the bail application of two of the five men accused of the murder of rapper Kiernan AKA Forbes and his friend, Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane. The two were shot dead outside Durban’s Wish on Florida restaurant in February 2023. Mziwethemba Gwabeni and Lindokuhle Ndimande reopened their bids for bail, presenting what they claimed were new facts. They claim the state’s case against them is weak. Meanwhile, two other suspects, who were arrested in Eswatini, are awaiting the ruling on the application for their extradition.

# One Campaign executive director, David McNair, says over 20 African countries will spend more on debt service than on essential services including healthcare or education in 2025. Speaking to Africa News, McNair says that high borrowing costs and slow debt restructuring exacerbate the crisis. He has called for global institutions to ease borrowing costs during South Africa’s G20 presidency:

# Tennis: Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray says he could not turn down the unique opportunity to coach his long-time rival Novak Djokovic. They announced they were teaming up in November last year; with the current arrangement only extending until the end of the Australian Open, which Djokovic will be bidding to win for an eleventh time. Murray, who retired from playing professionally in August last year, says working with the Serb is exactly what he expected:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-90-cents and the euro at 19-rand-50-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-36-cents and Bitcoin trades at 93-thousand-207-dollar-30-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-670-dollars-96-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-81-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….