News 07:00

BULLETIN 20 December 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC slams AfriForum for spreading false narratives on the refugee centre raid
# Minister Creecy says there are fewer road deaths in 2025 compared to 2024
# And cricket: The Protea women make a clean sweep in the ODI series against Ireland

# The ANC has condemned AfriForum for spreading false information after a raid on an Afrikaner refugee centre in Sandton, where seven Kenyan nationals were found working illegally. The party says AfriForum is creating fear and undermining South Africa’s democracy. ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu called on South Africans to reject this campaign and urged the government to act against groups spreading racial hatred. The organisation’s CEO, Kallie Kriel, denies the claims, vowing to continue defending human rights and Afrikaner communities.

# Transport minister Barbara Creecy says early data from the current festive season shows 100 fewer road deaths compared to last year. She presented a mid-term review in Cape Town and reported a 20.9-percent drop in fatal crashes and a 20.8-percent decline in fatalities between 1 and 16 December. Creecy says 113 lives have been saved so far, but warned road trauma remains a serious concern as peak travel days approach:

# Cosatu has urged all parties to expedite negotiations to save five-thousand-200 direct jobs at Mozal in Maputo, Mozambique, and 22-thousand linked jobs in South Africa. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks is calling on Mozal owners, Eskom, and both governments to secure an affordable electricity tariff before the current agreement ends in March. He says the federation welcomes interventions by Minister of Electricity and Energy Ramokgopa and the South African Presidency:

# Energy regulator Nersa has appointed members to a new Electricity Market Advisory Forum, as part of ongoing electricity sector reforms. Members come from government regulators, Eskom, business, academia, and civil society. The forum will guide electricity market reforms, including plans for a wholesale electricity market, as well as trading rules and regulations. Nersa says the forum is a crucial step in enhancing engagement, strengthening regulation, and fostering a fair and efficient electricity market that ensures a reliable supply and value for consumers.

# Ukraine thanked the European Union on Friday for deciding to provide it with 1.7-trillion rand of support over the next two years. Russian president Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, said the EU had backed away from the plan to freeze Russian assets to finance the support to Ukraine, because it would have faced serious repercussions. The stakes for finding money for Kyiv were high because, without EU help, Ukraine would run out of money next year and most likely lose the war to Russia. The EU fears this would bring the threat of Russian aggression against the bloc closer.

# And, cricket: South Africa completed a 3-0 women’s one-day international series whitewash over Ireland, thanks to another demolition job in Johannesburg on Friday as they reached 206-4 to win by six wickets. Captain Laura Wolvaardt yet again led the way with the bat, reaching her century with the winning run as the Proteas claimed victory at the Wanderers in perfect style. The Proteas were invited to bowl first, taking wickets at regular intervals to dismiss the tourists for 205 in the 46th over. Nonkululeko Mlaba was the pick of the bowlers, taking four for 33.

Stay tuned for more news………….