News 11:00

BULLETIN 10 February 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says diplomacy is the most sustainable solution to the DRC conflict
# The DA is appealing the Presidency’s decision to keep the Simelane report secret
# And netball: England beats South Africa to win the Nations Cup

# President Cyril Ramaphoa says South Africa remains committed to a diplomatic and political solution that prioritises the stability of the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring countries. The president attended the joint East African Community and Southern African Development Community summit in Tanzania at the weekend. Fourteen South African National Defence Force soldiers have been killed in the DRC. In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa says the summit has reiterated the call for an immediate ceasefire and affirmed the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the DRC.

# The South African Chamber of Commerce in the US says it has received over 20-thousand inquiries from white South Africans who wish to relocate to America. This comes after US president Donald Trump signed an executive order halting foreign aid to South Africa and prioritising the resettlement of Afrikaners as victims of racial discrimination in America as refugees. The chamber’s president, Neil Diamond, told the SABC there will be a potential mass exodus of skilled agricultural professionals from the country:

# The DA says it has appealed the Presidency’s decision to refuse access to the report on former minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Thembi Simelane. The report, submitted to Ramaphosa, concerns Simelane’s alleged involvement in the VBS looting scandal. The DA’s Glynnis Breytenbach says the Presidency, in denying the party’s access to information under the Promotion of Access to Information Act, relied on incorrect reasons and ultimately failed to consider the public interest in this matter.

# The Limpopo government will begin the process of identifying bodies from the accident that claimed the lives of 13 people on the R40 road in Hoedspruit at the weekend. The fatal collision between a Toyota Quantum and a Ford Ranger resulted in both vehicles being completely burnt with passengers trapped inside. Limpopo premier’s spokesperson, Thilivhali Muavha, says a team comprising officials from the Departments of Health, Transport, and Community Safety has been established:

# Netball: England defeated South Africa 61-55 in the final at the Copper Box Arena in London to win the Nations Cup for the first time. South Africa made a fast start in the match to lead 15-12 at the end of the first quarter, but Jess Thirlby’s side fought back to claim the victory. Uganda won the third-place playoff match, beating Malawi 50-45. Proteas coach, Jenny van Dyk, says they are disappointed at the result but the players gave everything:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-46-cents and the euro at 19-rand-6-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-91-cents and Bitcoin trades at 97-thousand-350-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-888-dollars-44-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-1-cent a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….