News 16:00

BULLETIN 18 January 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The GOOD Party says the state’s schizophrenic approach to justice for apartheid victims requires a proper explanation
# The Public Protector launches an investigation into Bheki Cele’s World Cup jaunt
# And hockey: The South African team relies on crowdfunding to play in the World Cup

# The GOOD Party has welcomed the announcement by the Department of Justice that four apartheid-era security policemen are to stand trial for the 1985 murder of MK cadre Jameson Mngomezulu. The party welcomed the recently announced re-opening of the inquest into the 1985 murders of the Cradock Four – Mathew Goniwe, Sparrow Mkonto, Fort Calata and Sicelo Mhlauli. The GOOD Party’s secretary-general, Brett Herron, says 21 years ago, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, in its final report, referred about 300 cases to the National Prosecuting Authority for investigation and prosecution:

# The DA welcomes the Public Protector’s investigation into Police minister Bheki Cele and his assistant’s trip to Paris for the Rugby World Cup that was reportedly funded by an unidentified private company. The investigation, initiated in response to the party’s complaint, aims to scrutinise the expenses and determine if Cele violated the Executive Members’ Ethics Act. The DA’s Okkie Terblanche plans to lodge an official ethics complaint with Parliament, saying Cele’s actions are in breach of his obligations and duties as a Member of Parliament:

# The African Union’s Peace and Security Council has issued a call for restraint amid the tension between Somalia and Ethiopia over a Red Sea access deal with Somaliland. The council also urged external actors to adhere to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of member states. The council called on Somalia and Ethiopia to de-escalate mounting tensions, and engage in meaningful dialogue for a peaceful resolution. The AU reaffirmed its strong commitment and support for preserving the unity, and sovereignty of all member states.

# Hockey: The South African Women’s Hockey5s team is relying on crowdfunding to secure the necessary funds for their participation in the World Cup in Muscat, Oman, from Wednesday to next Saturday. Coach Tsoanelo Pholo told Newzroom Afrika despite qualifying, the team still requires 500-thousand-rand to cover expenses, as they are self-funded and lack government support. Pholo emphasises the importance of financial contributions from the public to enable the team to proudly represent South Africa in the tournament:

# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-88-cents and the euro at 20-rand-56-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-96-cents and Bitcoin trades at 42-thousand-391-dollars-93-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-and-15-dollars-98-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-61-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The South African Weather Service has issued extremely high fire danger warnings for parts of the Western Cape and Northern Cape, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. The extremely high temperatures and humid conditions are expected to persist into tomorrow, affecting parts of the Namakwa District. The impact-based warnings also include a yellow level two alert for disruptive rainfall and potential flooding in Limpopo, and a yellow level one warning for waves affecting sea navigation along the West Coast, between Cape Columbine and Cape Point.

Stay tuned for more news………….