News 15:00

BULLETIN 28 January 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Giwusa says South African soldiers are sacrificed at the altar of imperialist mining interests looting the DRC
# The former mayor of Johannesburg reiterates the charges against him are politically motivated
# And rugby: A Bulls’ Bok flanker faces a long, uncertain road ahead after a serious knee injury

# Union Giwusa says it is absolutely clear that, what it calls, the South African National Defence Force’s adventure in Democratic Republic of Congo is imperialist in its class character, aims and purpose. Giwusa president Mametlwe Sebei says the DRC is home to over 445-trillion-rand’s worth of natural resources. He says it is the country’s mineral riches which has attracted imperialist vultures from all over the world:

Meanwhile, Kenyan president William Ruto, as chairperson of the East African Community, has called an extraordinary summit to address the escalating violence in eastern DRC. Ruto emphasised diplomacy over military solutions, urging dialogue to resolve the crisis. He says the emergency meeting, set for tomorrow, will include Rwanda’s president Paul Kagame and Congo’s president Félix Tshisekedi:

# Former Johannesburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda appeared in the Protea Magistrate’s Court, facing fraud charges linked to a suspected Ponzi scheme through his funeral business, Ithemba Lama Afrika. The case centers on claims of defrauding Soweto residents. He maintains his innocence. Gwamanda denies the allegations, calling them politically motivated efforts to discredit him as a leader:

# US president Donald Trump’s executive order suspending all foreign development assistance could severely impact South Africa’s health programmes, particularly those combating HIV/AIDS. Wits University confirmed a stop order on some USAID-funded initiatives, including those by the Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute. It is believed the halt in funding could disrupt services and delay HIV treatment. Experts have warned that the funding freeze may jeopardise crucial progress toward the UN’s HIV/AIDS targets.

# Rugby: Springbok flanker Elrigh Louw admits a long and uncertain road lies ahead for him after suffering a serious knee injury while playing for the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship against the Lions last weekend. The Pretoria team’s co-captain was taken straight to hospital after the match at Ellis Park and underwent an operation shortly afterwards. Louw promised to be back. The Bulls’ other captain, Ruan Nortjé, as well as flyhalf Johan Goosen also have knee problems.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-66-cents and the euro at 19-rand-46-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-21-cents and Bitcoin trades at 102-thousand-866-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-743-dollars-39-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-52-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….