News 14:00

BULLETIN 7 January 2 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC’s succession talks are set for 2027
# The US backs security guarantees for Ukraine at a summit of Kyiv’s allies in Paris
# And soccer: The AFCON quarterfinals will serve a series of heavyweight clashes

# ANC treasurer-general Gwen Ramokgopa says discussions on the succession of president Cyril Ramaphosa will only begin next year. She was speaking at the ANC’s Presidential Golf Day at Sun City in North West. Ramokgopa says the party’s current focus is on the upcoming local government elections. Ramokgopa adds South Africa is ready for a female president, stressing that leadership outcomes will follow ANC electoral processes to determine the best candidate:

# The chairperson of Parliament’s portfolio committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, Xola Nqola, says the appointment of Andy Mothibi as National Director of Public Prosecutions comes at a critical time for restoring confidence in the criminal justice system. Nqola says he must uphold independence, integrity and transparency while tackling corruption and organised crime decisively. He acknowledged the president’s constitutional prerogative and reaffirmed Parliament’s oversight role:

Activists and Citizens Forum also welcomes Mothibi’s appointment. He is currently the head of the Special Investigating Unit. The forum agrees it marks a positive step towards restoring confidence in the justice system. Spokesperson Dennis Bloem says this offers an opportunity to strengthen accountability, improve prosecutorial independence, and tackle corruption. He urges Mothibi to prioritise high-profile corruption cases and act without fear, favour or political interference:

Moving abroad:

# The United States for the first time backed a broad coalition of Ukraine’s allies in vowing to provide security guarantees leaders say would include binding commitments to support the country if Russia attacks again. The pledge came at a summit in Paris of mainly European nations to firm up guarantees to reassure Kyiv in the event of a ceasefire with Russia. The summit was also attended by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, president Donald Trump’s son-in-law, and America’s top general in Europe, Alexus Grynkewich.

# Soccer: The lineup for the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals has been confirmed, with defending champions Ivory Coast set to face record seven-time winners Egypt in a mouthwatering clash on Saturday. Hosts Morocco, buoyed by home support, will face a stern test against five-time champions Cameroon on Friday, while an all–West African showdown will see Senegal take on a resilient Mali side. Nigeria will meet Algeria in a clash between two continental heavyweights on Saturday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-42-cents and the euro at 19-rand-20-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-17-cents and Bitcoin trades at 91-thousand-754-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-464-dollars-53-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 60-dollars-11-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….