News 15:00

BULLETIN 11 January 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Israeli generals are accused of expressing alarming genocidal intentions 
# German software firm SAP pays a 4.1-billion-rand criminal fine in a bribery settlement 
# And Soccer: Morocco is under pressure in Afcon after a good World Cup performance

# The South African government believes Israel harbours genocidal intent against the Palestinians in Gaza, citing systematic conduct and a clear pattern. The International Court of Justice in The Hague in the Netherlands is currently hearing South Africa’s case in which it accuses Israel of genocide. This move aligns with a global call for a Gaza ceasefire. The government’s legal representative, Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, says one-percent of the Palestinian population has been decimated, while 85-percent are displaced in Gaza:

Meanwhile, Justice and Correctional Services minister Ronald Lamola says the South African government unequivocally condemns the taking of hostages by Hamas. He is leading South Africa’s delegation to The Hague in the Netherlands. Lamola argues government is asking the court to consider provisional measures it argues are necessary to prevent severe and irreparable harm pending against Palestinians in Gaza:

# The German software giant SAP has agreed to pay 4.1-billion-rand to settle bribery investigations in South Africa and the United States. News24 reports the company admitted that it paid bribes to win contracts from state-owned enterprises, including Eskom, during the era of state capture. The settlement was reached with the US Justice Department, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and South African authorities. SAP said it has taken steps to prevent such misconduct in the future and to enhance its compliance and ethics programme.

# The EFF says it’s not sufficient for the board chairperson of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, Ernest Khoza, to take 30 days’ leave in order to enable the board to deal with all the allegations against him. The party says Khoza must know there is no longer a place for him at the scheme after he has been exposed as a leech who has prioritised self-enrichment at the expense of poor students. EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo says Khoza and his cronies must know they will never again have access to the scheme.

# Soccer: Morocco is said to be under pressure to repeat it’s good performance during last year’s World Cup in the Africa Cup of Nations, which starts in the Ivory Coast on Saturday. The country reached the semifinal in Qatar, but could only win the African showpiece once in 1976. Moroccan coach Walid Regragui says the World Cup gave his charges the experience of big competitions, but Afcon is always a complicated tournament. His team is in Group F along with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Zambia.

Stay tuned for more news………….