News 06:00

BULLETIN 5 January 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC NEC will meet in preparation for the January 8 Statement today
# Air Traffic and Navigation Services has stabilised operations at OR Tambo airport
# And, the US Secretary of State says America is not at war with Venezuela

# The ANC national executive committee will convene a special meeting today in North West as part of final preparations for the annual January 8 Statement to be held on Saturday at the Moruleng Stadium near Rustenburg. Following its 2024 election setbacks, the ANC aims to regain lost ground and restore voter confidence ahead of local government elections. Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula confirmed intensive preparations, including training 200-thousand volunteers to ensure a voter-centred, door-to-door campaign nationwide.

# A senior prison official is allegedly under investigation after high-profile attempted murder suspect Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala was moved to a super-maximum facility in KwaZulu-Natal. According to the Sunday Times, the investigation comes amid fears of inappropriate connections between the official and Matlala at the Kgoši Mampuru II Correctional Facility in Pretoria, where he was held. The Correctional Services Department denies the claims, saying security operations led to the transfer, and details cannot be disclosed publicly. Matlala faces multiple charges, including attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend, actress Tebogo Thobejane.

# Air Traffic and Navigation Services says flight delays were experienced at OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday, resulting in passengers being stranded for over four hours. Temporary human resource constraints at the Air Traffic Control station caused the delays. ATNS spokesperson, Mphilo Dlamini, says the delays meant fewer controllers to guide planes safely in and out, leading to slower operations for take-offs and landings:

# The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, says the capture of president Nicolás Maduro is not a war against Venezuela. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured during Saturday’s strikes by American forces. He is being held at a New York jail and faces drug trafficking and weapons charges. President Donald Trump stated that the US will continue to run the country until a judicious transition can occur. In an interview with NBC, Rubio said he expects to see more compliance and cooperation from Venezuela:

# Cricket: The Bangladesh Cricket Board has formally requested that the International Cricket Council move all their matches for the T20 World Cup, saying the team will not travel to India under current conditions. India is co-hosting the tournament, which gets underway next month, with Sri Lanka. Political relations between India and Bangladesh soured after a mass uprising in Dhaka in 2024 toppled then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina, a close ally of New Delhi. The BCB says its request is necessary to safeguard the safety and well-being of players and team officials.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-47-cents and the euro at 19-rand-30-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-17-cents and Bitcoin trades at 91-thousand-307-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-367-dollars-57-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 60-dollars-61-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….