News 12:00

BULLETIN 7 January 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The acting minister of Police rejects claims Deokaran’s murder probe was mishandled
# UK and France commit to sending soldiers to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal with Russia
# And cricket: Jacob Bethell’s maiden Test century gives England hope in the fifth Ashes Test

# Acting Police minister Firoz Cachalia has quashed suggestions that the investigation into the murder of Tembisa Hospital whistleblower Babita Deokaran has been mishandled. The triggermen were convicted of her assassination in 2023, but the masterminds have not been arrested to date. Cachalia has also denied suggestions that Deokaran’s technological devices were not properly analysed after she was shot and killed. He says a forensic investigation was conducted by the cybercrime department within Crime Intelligence.

# The Mossel Bay Municipality in the Southern Cape says firefighters have managed to contain the large fire in Aalwyndal, Island View, Vakansieplaas and surrounding areas. The blaze, which destroyed several structures and vehicles, resulted in evacuation orders being enforced yesterday. The N2, which was closed for several hours between the Langeberg Mall off‑ramp and Dana Bay, direction Cape Town, due to heavy smoke and unsafe visibility conditions last night, has been reopened. The municipality says containment operations and monitoring will continue throughout the day.

# The Border Management Authority says, despite limited resources, officials remain resolute and proactive in protecting South Africa’s borders. As part of the BMA’s intensified law enforcement operations under the Festive Season Security Plan, suspects attempting to smuggle illicit cigarettes to the value of 42-thousand-797-rand were intercepted at the Beitbridge border post yesterday. BMA spokesperson, Mmemme Mogotsi, says the interception confirms the growing effectiveness of technology-driven border management interventions:

Moving abroad:

# The United Kingdom and France have signed a joint declaration pledging to deploy troops to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal with Russia. This follows a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris yesterday. Russia has repeatedly warned that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be a legitimate target. British prime minister Keir Starmer says the UK and France are committed to standing with Ukraine for the long term:

# Cricket: Jacob Bethell has given England hope in the fifth and final Ashes Test against Australia after scoring his maiden century on the fourth day in Sydney. The 22-year-old was unbeaten on 142 as the visitors ended the day on 302 for eight in their second innings, leading Australia by 119 runs. The hosts were bowled out for 567 in their first innings, earning a 183-run lead, and Bethell’s knock helped England overturn the deficit with meaningful partnerships of 81 and 102 with Ben Duckett and Harry Brook, respectively.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-41-cents and the euro at 19-rand-17-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-13-cents and Bitcoin trades at 92-thousand-832-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-465-dollars-77-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 59-dollars-85-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….