News 07:00

BULLETIN 18 Januarie 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Civil rights groups condemn Stilfontein massacre, calling it a state-sponsored atrocity
# Bail has been denied to Mark Lifman’s alleged murderers
# And rugby: The Bulls open the weekend’s South African Champions Cup action

# The Workers and Socialist Party and the Socialist Youth Movement have condemned the Stilfontein massacre in North West, calling it a state-backed atrocity. They blame the police and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources for trapping illegal miners underground and blocking rescue efforts since July last year. The group’s Zaki Mamdoo demands justice, an independent investigation, and the nationalisation of the mining sector to stop future exploitation:

Meanwhile, the general industries union, Giwusa, demands a thorough investigation into the inhumane treatment of the rescued illegal miners from the abandoned mine at Stilfontein. The union condemns the decision to place critically ill miners in police custody instead of providing necessary health assessments and treatment. Giwusa president Mametlwe Sebei says the miners, who had been trapped underground for months without food or water, are suffering from severe malnutrition, dehydration, and other life-threatening conditions:

# The two alleged murderers of Cape Town underworld figure Mark Lifman will stay behind bars until their next court appearance on 20 February. The George Magistrate’s Court yesterday denied bail to Johan Jacobs and Johnny Bezuidenhout, who were arrested shortly after Lifman was gunned down in a shopping centre parking lot in the city in November. Magistrate André Bezuidenhout found the state presented a strong prima facie case against the accused, who he says failed to present substantial or extraordinary circumstances to justify their release. 

# Rugby: The Bulls open the South African onslaught in the weekend’s Champions Cup action this afternoon when they face Stade Français in Pretoria. The Stormers and the Sharks will also play French teams. The Stormers are up against Racing 92 in the capital this evening, while the Sharks will visit Bordeaux Bègles tomorrow. The Bulls are currently in sixth place in Pool 3 after losing all three their first games, the Stormers are fourth in Pool 4, and the Sharks fourth in Pool 1.

# And finally: President-elect Donald Trump has announced the appointment of actors Mel Gibson, Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone as ambassadors to help make Hollywood “bigger, better and stronger”. Trump said on his Truth Social media platform the actors will be his special envoys to the world-famous filmmaking hub, which he described as a great but very troubled place. The three actors are all Trump supporters. Gibson lost his home in the deadly wildfires in Los Angeles and in reaction to the news jokingly asked whether the position comes with an ambassador’s residence.

Stay tuned for more news………….