News 09:00

BULLETIN 12 February 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Department of Correctional Services has developed a plan against escapes
# Minister Macpherson is confident about Treasury’s boost for infrastructure funding
# And Netanyahu warns about ending the ceasefire

# The Department of Correctional Services says it has met all recommendations set by the Public Protector to develop an escape prevention strategy. On Tuesday, the department briefed Parliament on its action plan to comply with the remedial action contained in the Public Protector’s report on Thabo Bester’s escape from Mangaung Correction Centre in the Free State. The department’s, Pheladi Kekana, says they have also established guidelines for managing security incidences, anti-corruption and fraud prevention, and whistle-blowing policy procedures:

Meanwhile the DA says the Department of Correctional Services’ compliance with the Public Prosecutor’s report is unsatisfactory. The DA says the documents failed to indicate decisive action to prevent future escapes, or to strengthen anti-corruption procedures within the department. The party says it will be writing to Correctional Services minister, Pieter Groenewald, to demand a detailed explanation of the immediate measures his department will take to prevent future Bester-style escapes.

# Public Works and Infrastructure minister, Dean Macpherson has welcomed Treasury’s amendments to the Public Finance Management Act. This will simplify approvals for Public-Private Partnerships under two-billion-rand. These reforms aim to attract 100-billion-rand in private infrastructure funding during the seventh administration. The changes, effective June 2025, also allow unsolicited bids, reducing procedural hurdles. Macpherson calls the move a critical step toward growing South Africa’s economy, creating jobs, and fostering private sector investment.

# Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has warned that the Gaza ceasefire will end if Hamas does not release more hostages as planned on Saturday. This comes after Hamas on Monday said it would delay the release of Israeli hostages indefinitely over violations of the ceasefire deal. There are 76 remaining hostages held by the militant group in Gaza, but only three were due to be freed on Saturday. Netanyahu says he has instructed the military to prepare at the highest level of alert for any possible scenario in Gaza.

# Soccer: Defending champions Real Madrid came from behind to beat Manchester City three-two in their playoff first leg at the Etihad Stadium. City took the lead through Erling Haaland, however, Madrid hit back through Kylian Mbappe. Haaland looked to have won the game from the penalty spot, but with four-minutes left of the game, Brahim Diaz equalised before Jude Bellingham scored the winner. PSG, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund also won their playoffs. Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti, was happy with how his team defended :

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-51-cents and the euro at 19-rand-18-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-4-cents and Bitcoin trades at 95-thousand-401-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-888-dollars-94-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 76-dollars-55-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….