News 08:00

BULLETIN 14 December 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Dean Macpherson is focusing on saving anyone trapped in Redcliffe building 
# Minister Solly Malatsi defends the policy directive on local ownership compliance 
# And in cricket:  The Proteas take the first women’s ODI with 7 wickets

# Public Works and Infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson has expressed support after a building collapsed in Redcliffe, KwaZulu-Natal, where four bodies have been retrieved. Rescue operations continue amid challenging weather and unstable structures, with teams working to reach possible survivors. Macpherson says they fear that more people could still be trapped. He emphasised the primary focus remains saving anyone trapped, while investigations into the cause will follow once operations conclude:

# Communications and Digital Technologies minister Solly Malatsi says the Electronic Communications Act and Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act empower him to issue policy directives in line with national law. Responding to ANC concerns over a Gazette allowing alternative compliance, Malatsi told SABC News the directive does not instruct ICASA. He argues that the move aligns with existing legal frameworks:

# Environmental justice organisations have launched a legal challenge in the North Gauteng High Court against government-granted exemptions allowing Eskom to bypass Minimum Emission Standards. This is at eight coal-fired power stations. Vukani Environmental Movement, groundWork and Earthlife Africa argue the Air Quality Act does not permit such exemptions and say the decision undermines the constitutional right to clean air. They want the March 2025 ruling declared invalid and Eskom compelled to comply with pollution limits and report regularly on progress.

# The Israeli military said it killed senior Hamas commander Raed Saed, in a strike on a car in Gaza City on Saturday. Saed was one of the architects of the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel. It was the highest-profile assassination of a senior Hamas figure since a Gaza ceasefire deal came into effect in October. According to Gaza health authorities the attack on the car in Gaza City killed five people and wounded at least 25 others. There was no immediate confirmation from Hamas or medics that Saed was among the dead.

# Cricket: South Africa bowler Nonkululeko Mlaba exploited the slow conditions at Buffalo Park, claiming three for 43 in ten overs as she helped restrict Ireland to 209 for seven in the first women’s ODI in East London on Saturday. Play started 90 minutes late after some of the heavy rain on Friday found its way onto the pitch with the match restricted to 47 overs per side. The South African women replied with 211 for the loss of three wickets, with ten overs left.  The second Test will take place on Tuesday in Gqeberha.

# And golf: The chase to Alfred Dunhill Championship glory resumed at 6:30 this morning after the third round had to be abandoned following challenging weather at Royal Johannesburg.  The majority of the field was unable to tee off in the third round after rain fell on the East Course. Since Monday the course has taken 150 millimetres of rain. The tournament will now be a 54-hole contest. Spain’s Eugenio Chacarra started the day as leader on 15 under par, ahead of Jayden Schaper on 13 under, and John Parry and Branden Grace on 12 under par.

Stay tuned for more news………….