News 11:00

BULLETIN 12 December 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ramaphosa says the government of national unity doesn’t change the ANC’s long-term transformation goals
# ActionSA says Andrea Johnson is not suitable to lead the National Prosecuting Authority
# And cricket: The Proteas Women hope to build on their T20 series victory in the one-day matches against Ireland

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned elements within the government of national unity are attempting to dilute South Africa’s transformation agenda. The DA has made it a point to turn to the courts to challenge policies with which it disagrees, including the National Health Insurance Act and black economic empowerment. Ramaphosa says the GNU is a tactical intervention that doesn’t change the ANC’s long-term strategy for fundamental transformation:

# ActionSA says advocate Andrea Johnson is not a fit and proper candidate to serve as National Director of Public Prosecutions. She is one of six candidates shortlisted for the position. ActionSA’s spokesperson, Matthew George, says Johnson’s poor performance before the interview panel and Parliament’s ad-hoc committee, coupled with comments she made advising prosecutors to “fake it until you make it” when handling serious cases, raises serious concerns about her suitability:

# The Border Management Authority made two significant interceptions at OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng this week. Fourteen Ethiopian nationals were intercepted upon arrival at the airport, after analysis of passenger details flagged their movement pattern as suspicious. The BMA’s spokesperson, Mmemme Mogotsi, says in a separate incident, 16 Bangladeshi men were also intercepted after arriving at the airport yesterday:

Moving abroad:

# Amnesty International says two months after the ceasefire was announced, Israeli authorities are still committing genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip. At least 370 people, including 140 children, have been killed in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire was announced on 9 October. Amnesty International says Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza has taken place in the context of pervasive impunity for its ongoing crimes against humanity. It says sustainable peace in Israel and Gaza requires international justice for victims of all crimes.

# Cricket: Proteas Women’s captain, Laura Wolvaardt, says they hope to build on their T20 series victory over Ireland when they face the same opposition in three one-day matches from tomorrow. South Africa recorded comprehensive victories in the first two T20s before the final one rained out. Tomorrow’s match in East London will be the Proteas’ first in the format since losing to India in last month’s World Cup final. Wolvaardt expects Ireland to bounce back hard and realises they have to be at their best.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-84-cents and the euro at 19-rand-77-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-54-cents and Bitcoin trades at 92-thousand-519-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-287-dollars-21-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 61-dollars-45-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….