News 13:00

BULLETIN 26 December 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# More than 249 road deaths have been recorded since the start of the festive season
# Over 18-thousand travellers exited South Africa to Mozambique on Christmas Day
# And South Africa ranked the world’s most generous nation in a new global study

# South Africa has recorded over 249 fatalities on its roads since the start of the festive season. Government acting deputy director-general, Sandile Nene, says this represented a 30% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. He is calling on all road users to remain vigilant and to obey the rules of the road. He says the government is playing its part to keep people safe, and festive season operations will be operational in all provinces to ensure citizens, residents, holiday makers, and businesses operating in the country feel safe.

# The Border Management Authority successfully processed over 18-thousand-450 travellers exiting South Africa to Mozambique through the Lebombo Port of Entry in Komatipoort, Mpumalanga, on Christmas Day. BMA commissioner Michael Masiapato, says only 450 people, mainly women and children, were processed manually and are currently being in the process of being fully captured and reconciled on the Enhanced Movement Control System. He says approximately 805 trucks were cleared at Kilometre Seven, moving out of South Africa into Mozambique:

# Eastern Cape MEC for Agriculture, Nonceba Kontsiwe, has instructed farmers not to move animals as foot-and-mouth disease cases continue to be reported in the province. She says a confirmed case has now been detected in the Amahlathi Local Municipality. Suspected cases showing lesions consistent with FMD have been reported in other areas, including Mbhashe, Matatiele, and the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality. Kontsiwe says samples are currently being collected for laboratory testing:

# The City of Cape Town’s Events Permit Office is currently reviewing an application for a revised route for the Cape Town Street Parade in 2026. Pending the review and finalisation of the safety and logistical planning, the event would take place on 5 January 2026 in Green Point. The City’s spokesperson, Luthando Tyhalibongo, says the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association has applied for the march to go through the fan walk down Somerset Road and into Cape Town Stadium:

# Cricket: A record Boxing Day crowd of just over 94-thousand witnessed absolute chaos as 20 wickets fell on Day One of the 4th Ashes test at the Melbourne Cricket Grounds. England’s Josh Tongue claimed a superb 5/45 to skittle Australia for 152, but the visitors’ joy was short-lived. England’s batting collapsed spectacularly to 110 all out against a relentless attack led by Michael Neser, who took 4 for 45. Australia survived a nervous final over to reach stumps with a 46-run lead, leaving the match on a knife-edge.

# And finally: On this Day of Goodwill, South Africa has been named the world’s most generous nation in a new global study conducted by Remitly, a digital financial services provider. The study, which assessed more than four-thousand-500 people across 25 countries, measured generosity not through money or material giving, but through broader human behaviour, including empathy, emotional support, patience, kindness, and a willingness to put others first. With an average score of 51.57-percent out of a possible 60, South Africa topped the global list.

Stay tuned for more news………….