News 13:00

BULLETIN 20 December 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Road Traffic Management Corporation calls for the cancellation of reckless drivers’ licences
# Oscar Mabuyane warns members against self-interest within the ANC
# And rugby: The Springbok fly-half Sasha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is set to extend his Stormers contract

# Road Traffic Management Corporation spokesperson Simon Zwane says stronger penalties for drunk driving this festive season will play a part in reducing road fatalities. Over two-thousand drivers have already been removed from South African roads since December began. Alcohol contributes to roughly 30-percent of all road deaths. He confirmed to Newzroom Afrika that authorities are engaging with the Justice Department to strengthen laws, including licence cancellations:

Meanwhile, Transport minister Barbara Creecy has raised concern over festive season road fatalities, averaging 32 deaths a day so far. Delivering the road safety mid-term review statement, the minister said law enforcement has intensified, with 178 arrests for negligent driving, 53 pedestrians arrested for walking on highways, and 26 motorists face charges for attempting to bribe traffic officers. She emphasised that the arrests are up 16-percent year-on-year:

# And five people, including a young girl, were killed and nine others injured in a four-vehicle collision on the N2 near KwaMbonambi in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday afternoon. Emergency services responded to the scene where multiple cars were involved in the multi-vehicle pileup. One person is in critical condition, while others are seriously injured. Authorities say a double-cab vehicle carrying 12 people accounted for most of the injuries. Police and rescue teams continue investigations into the cause of the collision.

# Eastern Cape ANC chairperson Oscar Mabuyane has warned that careerism is a cancer harming the party. Mabuyane has criticised members who join or use the ANC for personal gain rather than service. According to News24, Mabuyane said the focus should remain on strengthening branches, serving communities, and upholding the ANC’s values and objectives, rather than seeking quick personal advantage. He stressed the importance of maturity, inclusivity, and commitment to the party’s mission ahead of key conferences.

# Russian President Vladimir Putin says there will be no more wars after Ukraine, if Russia is treated with respect. In the televised event lasting almost four and a half hours, he also dismissed claims that Moscow is planning to attack European countries as “nonsense”. Earlier this month, Putin stated that Russia was not planning to go to war with Europe, but was prepared if Europeans wished to do so. Just hours after the broadcast, Ukrainian officials said seven people were killed, and a further 15 were injured in a Russian missile strike on Ukraine’s southern Odesa region.

# Rugby: Springbok fly-half Sasha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is set to extend his Stormers contract until 2029, up from 2027. The 23-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough year, setting the South African record with 37 points in a Test against Argentina. An official announcement is expected soon that would secure his future. Meanwhile, Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been ruled out of today’s first United Rugby Championship derby of the season against the Lions in Cape Town, as he suffered a groin injury.

Stay tuned for more news………….