News 16:00

BULLETIN 23 January 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Hawks still investigate minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni for corruption
# Rugby: A 20-minute red card will be used in the Six Nations for the first time
# And Ricky Gervais pays tribute to his After Life” canine co-star

# Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya has confirmed ongoing investigations into minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni’s tenure as Ba-Phalaborwa municipal manager in Limpopo. Ntshavheni faces allegations of corruption tied to a 2008/2009 2.5-million-rand accounting contract. He says the Hawks previously probed the case in 2021 and will present findings to the National Prosecuting Authority once investigations conclude:

# The Foundation for Human Rights and families of apartheid-era victims are suing the government for failing to act on Truth and Reconciliation Commission cases. They want the court to declare their rights were violated, provide funding for investigations and memorials, and order an inquiry into political interference. Briefing the media, the foundation’s Odette Geldenhuys said the goal is to bring truth and closure to survivors and families:

# Western Cape Education MEC David Maynier has urged public representatives to adhere to legal guidelines and avoid bringing individuals wearing political attire when visiting schools. He urged political parties to respect the law and avoid intimidation. Maynier condemned some threats to shut down schools and highlights the importance of safeguarding children’s right to education:

# Rugby: The 20-minute red card will be used in the Six Nations for the first time this year after being trialled in November’s Tests. This means a team may substitute a red-carded player after 20 minutes. A permanent red card will still be shown when the offence is ruled deliberate or with a high level of danger. The Six Nations’ chief of rugby, Julie Paterson, says the law change and other trials are part of measures to clarify areas of the game, and to enhance the experience for spectators.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-58-cents and the euro at 19-rand-32-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-87-cents and Bitcoin trades at 101-thousand-507-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-748-dollars-91-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-62-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Ricky Gervais has paid tribute to his on-screen dog who featured in his TV show After Life. The British comedian and actor says Anti helped make After Life his favourite filming experience and he told her a hundred times a day that she was a very good girl. She was Brandy in all 18 episodes of the Netflix comedy about local newspaper reporter Tony, played by Gervais, who is dealing with his wife’s death. Anti died peacefully at her home in Oxfordshire at the age of 13.

Stay tuned for more news………….