News 16:00

BULLETIN 12 December 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Airlines face hefty fines after 30 suspected trafficking victims were intercepted at OR Tambo
# An anti-corruption analyst says the advisory panel has a huge decision in the final referral for new NPA head
# And cricket: The tickets for the T20 World Cup sell at historic lows

# The Border Management Authority says Ethiopian Airlines and another carrier will be fined 15-thousand-rand per traveller after 30 undocumented passengers were intercepted at OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng. Fourteen Ethiopians and 16 Bangladeshis were stopped, with officials suspecting a human trafficking operation. Spokesperson Mmemme Mogotsi told SABC News all travellers will be deported. She urges airlines to strengthen document checks amid heightened security during the festive season:

# Stellenbosch University Anti-Corruption Unit board member Koogan Pillay says the advisory panel tasked with selecting the next National Director of Public Prosecutions has a significant and demanding responsibility. The panel completed interviews with the six shortlisted candidates. The panel, chaired by Justice minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, will submit its final report to president Cyril Ramaphosa today. Pillay emphasised to SABC News the significance of the position in South Africa’s judiciary:

# COSATU welcomes the ANC National General Council’s endorsement of its call for an urgent Alliance Political Council to address internal challenges and prepare for next year’s local government elections. The union federation’s Matthew Parks emphasises the alliance, also including the ANC, the South African Communist Party, and the South African National Civic Organisation, is vital for political and economic emancipation. He urges partners to prioritise unity ahead of the elections:

# The South African Post Office says its eRegistered Messaging system could legally be used to deliver traffic fines. It says it carries the same status as registered mail. Business rescue practitioner Anoosh Rooplal says its use depends on approval under the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act, which allows electronic notices but still needs final legal clearance. The service offers secure delivery with proof of receipt and is expected to gain wider public-sector use as the Post Office shifts toward digital transformation.

# Cricket: Entry-level tickets for next year’s T20 men’s World Cup in India and Sri Lanka are priced at historic lows to increase accessibility. Ticket sales opened today, with the cheapest tickets selling for about 18-rand-70-cents each. Matches will be hosted at eight venues from the seventh of February until the eighth of March. Pakistan and the Netherlands will face off in the opening match in Colombo, and South Africa’s first match is against Canada on the ninth. Over two-million tickets are available for the 55 matches.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-85-cents and the euro at 19-rand-77-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-53-cents and Bitcoin trades at 92-thousand-263-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-333-dollars-53-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 60-dollars-95-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….