News 09:00

BULLETIN 3 January 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Home Affairs defends Border Management’s operations at Beitbridge
# Cape Town urges its residents to cut water use
# And Tesla loses its title as the world’s biggest electric vehicle manufacturer

# Home Affairs director-general Tommy Makhode says the department is supporting the Border Management Authority as the return leg after the festive season begins, after many earlier attempts to cross borders illegally. Speaking at the Beitbridge Border Post in Limpopo, Makhode rejected claims of failure by the department in halting illegal immigration, saying it is a global challenge and government strategies, including new policy reforms, are underway:

# The EFF in Limpopo has threatened legal action against the Polokwane Municipality following a gastrointestinal infection outbreak in Polokwane and Seshego. Residents report severe stomach illnesses, including diarrhoea, vomiting, cramps, and fever. The party says this outbreak is linked to deteriorating and possibly contaminated tap water. Health authorities have urged residents to practise strict hand hygiene, ensure safe drinking water, and seek medical care if symptoms persist.

#  KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane has urged expectant mothers to completely avoid alcohol and drugs, stressing there is no safe amount during pregnancy. Speaking at a media briefing, Simelane also raised concern over adults giving alcohol to minors, following a disturbing viral video from the Eastern Cape. Simelane warned that alcohol causes lifelong brain damage and disabilities, calling on families and communities to protect children and report harmful behaviour:

# The City of Cape Town has appealed to residents, businesses, and visitors to reduce non-essential water use as average consumption hits one-thousand-and-25 million litres-per-day, exceeding the summer target of 975-million-litres-per-day. Dam levels stand at 70.5-percent, 19.2-percent lower than last year. Water and Sanitation mayoral committee member Zahid Badroodien urged early reductions to safeguard water security and avoid sudden restrictions. He emphasises mindful usage, shorter showers, careful laundry, and garden watering outside peak hours.

# Tesla has lost its crown as the world’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer. The US firm faced a challenging year, marked by unease over Elon Musk’s political activities and stiff overseas competition, which pushed sales down for a second consecutive year. Tesla said that it delivered 1.64-million vehicles in 2025, a decrease of 9-percent from a year earlier. Chinese rival BYD sold 2.26-million vehicles last year. Investors hope Musk can deliver on his ambitions to make the company a leader in robotaxi services and get consumers to embrace humanoid robots that can perform basic tasks in homes and offices.

# And cricket: Former Australian test batsman Damien Martyn is showing positive signs after being hospitalised in an induced coma with meningitis. The 54-year-old, who played 67 tests between 1992 and 2006 and 208 one-day internationals, fell ill while lying down last week and was rushed to the hospital. Ex-teammate Adam Gilchrist earlier said positives were coming out of the various tests conducted. Martyn was part of the Australia team that won the 2003 ODI World Cup, cracking 88 not out in the final against India in a match-winning partnership with Ricky Ponting.

Stay tuned for more news………….