News 06:00

BULLETIN 5 December 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says gender-based violence is not a woman’s problem
# Jacob Zuma loses his appeal against the repayment of legal fees
# And Microsoft is accused of data processing on behalf of the Israeli Defence Force

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa needs men who have respect for women, who are compassionate, accountable, and strong in character, not with their fists. He delivered a keynote address at the Free State Provincial Men’s Indaba held at Limo Green Park, Bloemfontein, yesterday. South Africa is currently observing 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Ramaphosa says gender-based violence is the actions of men, and about the terrible crimes they commit in the name of culture and proving their masculinity:

# Former president Jacob Zuma has lost his leave to appeal a High Court order requiring him to repay the 28.9-million-rand the State spent on his legal fees in his arms deal case. He had sought leave to appeal after the High Court in Pretoria ruled in October that he was responsible for paying his own private legal costs. In his ruling, Judge Anthony Millar stated that the courts cannot remain open indefinitely for a litigant who refuses to accept a ruling on a specific issue.

# Police minister Senzo Mchunu says allegations of human rights abuses were made against the political killings task team. Testifying at the Madlanga commission in Pretoria, Mchunu said he disbanded the unit because it operated unlawfully. He added that complaints and reports about the team came from civil society, whistleblowers, and members of Parliament during the latter half of last year:

# The Gauteng Education Department has announced that late applications for grades one and eight will open on 17 December for the 2026 school year. Parents will be able to apply online, and are urged to submit the correct documents to avoid delays. In a media briefing, Education MEC Matome Chiloane said the department will continue working to place the remaining learners from the initial application round while preparing for the late intake:

# The Irish Council for Civil Liberties has formally requested the Data Protection Commission to investigate Microsoft over alleged unlawful data processing by the Israeli Defence Forces. The human rights group alleges that Microsoft unlawfully processed personal data belonging to Palestinians and European Union citizens, enabling surveillance, targeting, and occupation by the Israeli military. Irish Council for Civil Liberties executive director Joe O’Brien alleges that the processing of personal data facilitated war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide by the Israeli military in Gaza.

# Rugby: Springbok prop Ntuthuko Mchunu will make his Stormers debut in tonight’s Champions Cup opener against French outfit Bayonne. The Stormers get their campaign underway at the Stade Jean Dauger, with kick-off at 10 pm, South African time. Mchunu is joined in the front row by Neethling Fouché and JJ Kotzé, with captain Salmaan Moerat making his 50th start for the team. Director of rugby John Dobson says they understand the magnitude of the challenge and are ready to maintain full intensity for 80 minutes.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-97-cents and the euro at 19-rand-76-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-61-cents and Bitcoin trades at 92-thousand-157-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-205-dollars-54-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-7-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….