News 07:00

BULLETIN 15 December 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# South Africa condemns the deadly terrorist attack at Australia’s Bondi Beach
# AfriForum claims the state pays journalists to discredit the organisation
# And cricket: India cruise to victory in the third T20 against South Africa

# South Africa has extended condolences to Australia following the tragic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday. At least 15 people were killed, and 40 were wounded when two gunmen opened fire during an event to mark the start of Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday. The victims include a British-born rabbi and an Israeli citizen. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, says South Africa condemns this senseless violence:

Meanwhile, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he believes the Australian government poured oil on the flames of antisemitism through its silence on anti-Jewish sentiment in the country. Netanyahu says that about four months ago, he wrote a letter to Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese, warning that his government’s policy was promoting antisemitism:

# AfriForum has submitted applications to the State Security Agency and International Relations and Cooperation Department under the Promotion of Access to Information Act to reveal which journalists, academics, and commentators are allegedly paid by the state to influence public opinion. CEO Kallie Kriel claims two journalists are being compensated to discredit AfriForum and Solidarity. The agencies have 30 days to respond, or be escalate to the Information Regulator or courts:

# Al Jama-ah has welcomed Parliament’s extension of the deadline for written submissions on the proposed Apartheid Bill to 14 February 2026. The Bill aims to domesticate South Africa’s obligations under the UN Convention on Apartheid. Party leader Ganief Hendricks says the process allows broader public participation. He insists the draft will not undermine religious freedoms, while contributing to accountability for apartheid as a crime against humanity:

# An Eastern Cape High Court judge is set to face a Judicial Conduct Tribunal over allegations of using a racial slur against a court employee. The Judicial Service Commission has recommended a tribunal to probe claims against Judge Belinda Hartle, saying the alleged conduct could amount to gross misconduct if proven. The complaint was lodged by registry clerk Thozamile Semekazi, who alleges that the judge swore at him and used the K-word during an encounter in mid-May 2025 leading to episodes of depression. Judge Hartle has denied the allegations.

# Cricket: India defeated South Africa by seven wickets in the third T20 in Dharamshala to take a 2-1 lead in their five-match series. Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav claim two wickets each as the Proteas were bowled out for 117 in their 20 overs. Captain Aiden Markram top-scored with 61 off 46 balls. In reply, opener Abhishek Sharma hit 35 off 18 balls as the hosts achieved the target with 25 balls to spare. The fourth T20 will be played in Lucknow on Wednesday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-86-cents and the euro at 19-rand-80-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-54-cents and Bitcoin trades at 89-thousand-117-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-321-dollars-61-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 61-dollars-14-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….