News 12:00

BULLETIN 27 November 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# There is uncertainty as Parliament’s ad hoc committee’s term of office is expected to end tomorrow
# Chief Justice Maya places the corruption-accused judge Phahlane on special leave
# And cricket: The Proteas’ historic victory over India has bolstered their position in the World Test Championship standings

# Parliament’s ad hoc committee is yet to receive input from speaker Thoko Didiza on whether its term in office will be extended. The committee, which is probing allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on interference in the SAPS and the judicial system, is expected to conclude its term of office tomorrow. Didiza has previously granted an extension to allow the committee to finalise its work. Members say they need additional time to assess evidence and consider outstanding testimonies before completing their report.

# Chief Justice Mandisa Maya has placed Gauteng High Court judge, Portia Phahlane, on special leave with immediate effect, pending the finalisation of the criminal proceedings against her. Phahlane and three co-accused have been charged with corruption and money laundering. She allegedly received over two-million-rand in kickbacks to rule in favour of one faction embroiled in the International Pentecostal Holiness Church succession battle. Maya says the unprecedented arrest of a judge, while deeply disquieting, also demonstrates that the country’s law enforcement mechanisms of accountability are in motion.

# The DA is urging all employers in the education sector to take immediate and concerted steps to reinforce vetting processes. This is to ensure that no-one listed on the National Register for Sex Offenders or the National Child Protection Register is appointed to any school environment. The DA’s Nazley Sharif says the recent disclosure in Parliament that more than 60 educators have been flagged through the registers and police clearance processes is deeply concerning.

Moving abroad:

# European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, says Russia has shown no signs of true willingness to end the conflict with Ukraine. This comes as the US has ramped up efforts to mediate a deal between Kyiv and Moscow with its 28-point peace plan. Von der Leyen says any peace agreement needs to include robust security guarantees, and Ukraine’s sovereignty must be upheld. She adds since the beginning of the war, Russia’s playbook has never changed:

# Cricket: South Africa’s historic Test series victory over India has propelled them to second spot in the current World Test Championship standings. The Proteas, who are the defending champions, beat India by 408 runs in the second Test in Guwahati to claim a 2-0 series victory, a first success on Indian soil in 25 years. Australia tops the standings with four victories from four Tests, with Sri Lanka third, Pakistan fourth. India has slipped to fifth, with four victories from nine Tests.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-14-cents and the euro at 19-rand-87-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-68-cents and Bitcoin trades at 91-thousand-358-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-162-dollars-17-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-42-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….