News 08:00

BULLETIN 10 January 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Hlabisa says the government will review the funding model for local government
# The GOOD Party welcomes the extra focus on TRC cases
# And the US Supreme Court declines to delay Trump’s hush-money case sentencing

# Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs minister Velenkosini Hlabisa says they are working closely with the South African Local Government Association, to review the funding model for local government. The minister was replying to an EFF parliamentary question, about plans to correct the insufficient ten-percent allocation for municipalities. Hlabisa says the review’s objective is to identify shortcomings in local government policy and its implementation. He adds that it will also propose recommendations to address challenges that hinder the effective functioning of local government.

# The GOOD Party has welcomed minister of Justice Mmamoloko Kubayi’s creation of 19 permanent National Prosecuting Authority posts to investigate Truth and Reconciliation Commission cases. Among the cases include re-examining the death in 1960, in strange circumstances, of ANC president and Nobel Peace Laureate Chief Albert Luthuli. GOOD’s secretary general, Brett Herron, says a proper explanation from the government for the deliberate non-prosecution of these cases for more than 20 years is needed:

# Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya says they will not hesitate to expropriate privately owned buildings that have been neglected by owners and pose a threat to residents in the CBD. The mayor and the Tshwane Metro Police conducted a multidisciplinary by-law enforcement operation in the CBD. Moya says their mandate is to reclaim the metro from illegal business operations, unhygienic food facilities and hijacked buildings:

# The US Supreme Court has rejected president-elect Donald Trump’s emergency request to delay today’s sentencing in his hush-money criminal case. He was found guilty in May last year on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, to disguise reimbursements for a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Justice Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the case, has indicated he will not impose jail time, fines, or probation on Trump. However, his lawyers have argued a felony conviction would still have intolerable side effects.

# Cricket: MI Cape Town claimed a 97-run bonus-point win over defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape in their SA20 season opener at St George’s Park in Gqeberha. Dewald Brevis top scored with 57 as the visitors posted 174 for seven in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, allrounder Delano Potgieter took five wickets as the home side were bundled out for just 77 in 15 overs to concede a bonus point. MI Cape Town captain, Rashid Khan, says he is happy with the performance:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-93-cents and the euro at 19-rand-50-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-29-cents and Bitcoin trades at 93-thousand-522-dollars-3-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-673-dollars-40-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-90-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….