News 16:00

BULLETIN 5 December 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Senzo Mchunu is questioned over the justification for work studies leading to the disbandment of the political killings task team
# Umalusi confirms the matric exam results will be announced on 12 January
# And rugby: Rassie stays with the Boks until 2031

# Madlanga commission commissioner Sandile Khumalo has challenged Police minister Senzo Mchunu on his decision to disband the KwaZulu-Natal political killings task team, arguing he misinterpreted work studies from 2019 and last year. Khumalo emphasised the two studies never recommended disbandment. Mchunu insisted the reports discouraged multiple standalone task teams, favouring specialised units for serious and violent crimes:

# Quality assurance body Umalusi has confirmed the staggered marking of the National Senior Certificate exam papers which began on the 18th of November, will conclude on the 18th of this month. Umalusi head Mafu Rakometsi says marks will be captured until the fifth of next month, and the Quality Council For Trades and Occupations will review examination management. He says the outcomes will be announced by Basic Education minister Siviwe Gwarube on the 12th of January:

# Cape Forum and the Southern Africa Agri Initiative have entered a collaboration to benefit coloured communities, including schools. The forum’s Bernard Pieters says the partnership will launch sustainable agricultural projects, such as vegetable gardens and poultry farming, to provide learners and young workers with skills and exposure to national and international opportunities:

# China’s ambassador to South Africa, Wu Peng, says his country believes South Africa will always be a crucial and constructive member of the G20. He was speaking in Johannesburg at the launch of Chinese president Xi Jinping’s fifth book about that country’s governance. Wu says there was a new awakening in Africa, and the continent is steadily advancing towards the goals of industrialisation, connectivity and poverty reduction. He says Xi’s book illustrates the historical trajectory of China’s path and its contributions to the world.

# Rugby: Rassie Erasmus will stay on as Springbok coach for a further four years. SA Rugby’s president, Mark Alexander, says they are proud to reaffirm their commitment to excellence by extending the agreement until after the 2031 World Cup in the USA. He says the decision reflects not only on Erasmus’ remarkable track record, but also the enduring impact he has made in shaping the game’s identity. Alexander says under Erasmus, the Boks have achieved historic milestones, consistently setting the standard for performance on the global stage.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-91-cents and the euro at 19-rand-71-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-57-cents and Bitcoin trades at 91-thousand-285-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-225-dollars-48-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-95-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….