News 17:00

BULLETIN 4 February 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Pieter Groenewald cancels the parole granted to Alison Botha’s attackers
# The Centre for Risk Analysis says South Africa’s stance on Iran, China, Russia, and Israel could trigger US sanctions
# And rugby: Scotland hopes for their first victory over Ireland in eight years

# Minister of Correctional Services, Pieter Groenewald has canceled the parole granted to Frans du Toit and Theuns Kruger, convicted of attacking and raping Alison Botha in 1995. Botha survived the brutal attack in Gqeberha, where she was left for dead, and could identify her attackers. Their 2023 parole has been revoked following a review under the Correctional Services Act. The minister emphasised community safety as a priority, reaffirming the department’s commitment to justice and victims’ rights.

# The Centre for Risk Analysis warns that South African officials driving the country’s policies on Iran, China, Russia, and Israel could face targeted United States sanctions. It says officials directly linked to issues such as corruption are particularly at risk. According to the organisation, South Africa’s renewed legal actions against Israel heighten the likelihood of potential sanctions. The centre’s Chris Hattingh says Washington may impose sanctions to express its dissatisfaction with the government’s foreign policy positions:

Meanwhile, RISE Mzansi’s leader, Songezo Zibi, has urged South Africa to seek new markets instead of withdrawing mineral exports to the US. This follows Mineral Resources minister Gwede Mantashe’s stance after threats by US president Donald Trump. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Zibi warned of potential consequences from the US administration, stressing that South Africa needs to protect itself:

# Thousands of people have fled the Greek island of Santorini as hundreds of quakes continue to course through the famous tourist destination. Santorini, dubbed Greece’s “Instagram Island,” attracts some 3.4-million visitors a year but is only home to around 20-thousand permanent residents. Many of those have decided to flee the island for the safety of the mainland. Santorini’s most recent large quake, with a 7.5 magnitude, struck in 1956, killing at least 53 people and injuring more than 100 others.

# Rugby: Ireland’s scrum-half, Jamison Gibson-Park, won’t be surprised if Scotland beat them for the first time in eight years this weekend. The two teams meet in a Six Nations match at Murrayfield on Sunday. Scotland last beat Ireland in 2017, thereafter losing ten matches consecutively. But Gibson-Park maintains the Scots are a classy side with really good players, and believe it will be a tough challenge. Italy hosts Wales in Rome in the second round on Saturday while England and France will meet at Twickenham.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-76-cents and the euro at 19-rand-39-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-30-cents and Bitcoin trades at 99-thousand-425-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-824-dollars-30-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-62-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….