News 06:00

BULLETIN 11 January 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasises the importance of human rights ahead of the genocide hearing against Israel
# NUPSAW joins calls for Blade Nzimande’s resignation amid corruption allegations
# And cricket, the opening match of the SA20 was abandoned due to rain

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa’s opposition to the ongoing slaughter of the people of Gaza has driven the country to approach the International Court of Justice in The Hague in the Netherlands. South Africa has accused Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has strongly rejected the allegation, calling it baseless. Speaking at the funeral of renowned photographer doctor Peter Magubane, Ramaphosa said standing firm for justice is what must define our humanity:

Meanwhile the schedule for public hearings on South Africa’s case against Israel has been revised. The two sessions have been extended to three hours each following a request from Israel. Today’s session, starting at 11 this morning South African time, will feature oral arguments from South Africa, while tomorrow’s, also from 11 AM, will focus on Israel’s reply. The hearings will be streamed live in English and French on the court’s website.

# The National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers has joined calls for the resignation of Higher Education minister Blade Nzimande amidst corruption allegations. Nzimande, along with the South African Communist party and the board chairperson of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, Ernest Khosa, is accused of receiving kickbacks from the scheme’s service providers. Nzimande dismissed the allegations exposed by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse as a smear campaign. NUPSAW’s spokesperson, Neo Lebethe, says Nzimande should step down pending an investigation due to his failure to provide concrete evidence refuting the allegations.

# The Gauteng Education Department has announced that late registration applications for the 2024 academic year are still open. With schools set to reopen next week, parents and guardians who haven’t applied for placement in Grades 1 and 8 are urged to do so promptly. Spokesperson Steve Mabona told eNCA no-one should hesitate to apply, as the department is committed to ensure that all learners are placed:

# The National Prosecuting Authority in the Free State has provisionally withdrawn charges against one of the two men arrested in connection with the murder of 16-year-old Machaka Radebe. Her body was found early last month by a passerby two days after she was reported missing. Lehlohonolo Thomas Rankuotsana was facing charges of murder, kidnapping, and extortion. The NPA has refused to reveal why the charges have been provisionally withdrawn, however, has emphasised that this does not mean the case is closed.

# Cricket: The opening match of the second season of the SA20 between defending champions the Sunrisers Eastern Cape and the Joburg Super Kings was abandoned without a ball being bowled, due to rain at St George’s Park in Gqeberha yesterday evening. With no play possible at all, the no result means both teams claim two log points. Today, the Durban Super Giants face the MI Cape Town in Durban, while the Paarl Royals host last year’s runners-up Pretoria Capitals at Boland Park tomorrow.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-67-cents and the euro at 20-rand-51-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-83-cents and Bitcoin trades at 46-thousand-726-dollars-70-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-28-dollars-10-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-2-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….