News 06:00

BULLETIN 9 December 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa warns white supremacy threatens South Africa’s unity and sovereignty
# Three persons of interest are identified in the murder case of Marius van der Merwe
# And, the Nigerian government rescues 100 schoolchildren kidnapped from a Catholic school

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says ideas of white supremacy and false claims of white persecution pose a threat to South Africa’s unity, sovereignty, and international relations. Speaking at an ANC conference in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, Ramaphosa called for global efforts to debunk these myths. He added that while negotiating with the US on trade, South Africa is also diversifying its export markets:

# National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola says they have identified three persons of interest in the murder investigation of Marius van der Merwe. One person has been taken in for questioning. Van der Merwe, who testified at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, was shot dead outside his home in Brakpan, Gauteng, on Friday. Masemola says there is a coordinated effort to secure the safety of others involved in the commission:

# The head of the National Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Shamila Batohi, has admitted she has no documentary proof to support allegations that suspended Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions Andrew Chauke acted wrongly in the Cato Manor racketeering case. During a tense cross-examination at the Nkabinde inquiry, Chauke’s lawyer, Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, challenged Batohi on the lack of evidence behind her claims. She said her conclusions were based on context, internal reports, and her interpretation of meetings:

# A report by the World Travel and Tourism Council, as well as an international air transport sector IT company, SITA, has urged countries to adopt digital visa policies and border technologies to ensure seamless, secure travel. Forecasts show aviation will transport 14-billion passengers by 2035, with travel contributing 11.5-percent to global gross domestic product. The companies state that implementing the report’s recommendations could create 14-million jobs and add six-trillion-rand to global GDP, while improving efficiency and reducing congestion at border points.

# Nigeria’s government has rescued 100 schoolchildren who were abducted last month from St. Mary’s Catholic School in central Nigeria. A spokesperson for the Christian Association of Nigeria said on Monday that the rescue was confirmed by government officials that morning. Nigerian government officials have yet to comment publicly on the rescue. More than 300 children and 12 school staff were kidnapped on November 21 by gunmen at the school in Papiri. Fifty pupils managed to escape, but there had been no update on the other children or the missing school staff.

# Cricket: Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya could be considered for today’s first T20 against South Africa in Cuttack. Gill was injured in the first Test and missed the second, as well as the three one-day matches. Pandya last played for India in the Asia Cup in September, when he suffered an injury. The Proteas won the Test series 2-nil, while the hosts won the ODIs 2-1. The second T20 will be played in New Chandigarh on Thursday, followed by matches in Dharamsala, Lucknow and Ahmedabad.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-2-cents and the euro at 19-rand-81-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-68-cents and Bitcoin trades at 90-thousand-723-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-192-dollars-72-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-22-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….