News 12:00

BULLETIN 8 January 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Eastern Cape police launch a manhunt for suspects after the murder of four people
# SARS’ customs division says it will act without fear or favour against drug trade in SA
# And, soccer: Liverpool knocks Arsenal out of FA Cup with two late goals

# Eastern Cape police have launched a manhunt for suspects involved in the murder of four men aged between 30 and 35. A dark grey Toyota Avanza was allegedly ambushed at Ntokozweni Location outside Ugie on Saturday night. The suspects shot at the vehicle using rifles and handguns. All four male occupants believed to be from Engcobo, died on the scene. Police spokesperson, Siphokazi Mawisa says the motive for the fatal attack is yet to be established:

In Tshwane, four more suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of four people including a 14-year-old girl in Soshanguve on New Year’s Day. This after the Hawks team based in Pretoria worked tirelessly during an intelligence-driven operation over the weekend to bring those responsible for the killings in Soshanguve to book. Hawks spokesperson, Thandi Mbambo says the suspects, three males and one female were arrested on Saturday night in various areas around Pretoria, which brings the total number of arrested suspects to six:

# The South African Revenue Service’s commissioner, Edward Kieswetter says drug smugglers should know that the SARS customs division will act without fear or favour against those criminals involved in the drug trade. This after SARS customs officers seized 23 kilogrammes of narcotics worth 37-million-rand, disguised as moulded artwork, at the cargo sheds of the OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni. The customs officers were on inspection rounds when they came across a box on its way to New Zealand. The box contained items of moulded artwork, which looked suspicious.

# Bangladesh’s prime minister Sheikh Hasina has been re-elected for another term amid a boycott led by the opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. With only a 40-percent turnout recorded, the election commission announced this morning that Hasina’s ruling party, the Awami League, had won almost 75-percent of the seats, securing a fifth term. Hasina has overseen rapid economic growth, however, her government faces accusations of human rights abuses and a crackdown on the opposition.

# Soccer: Liverpool struck twice late on to beat Arsenal 2-0 at Emirates Stadium and reached the FA Cup fourth round. Arsenal paid the price for missing a host of opportunities and were punished as Liverpool grew increasingly dangerous. Their triumph was completed in the closing seconds when Luis Diaz scored with a kick high past Arsenal’s goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp expressed his satisfaction with his team:

# And, the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-76-cents and the euro at 20-rand-52-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-84-cents and Bitcoin trades at 43-thousand-843-dollars-45-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-and-29-dollars-53-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-85-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….