News 16:00

BULLETIN 7 January 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Parliamentary ad hoc committee is given a 20 February deadline to conclude the police interference probe
# The MK Party questions Mothibi’s appointment
# And rugby: An approaching winter storm could upset South African teams in their away games this weekend

# Parliament’s ad hoc committee probing KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s allegations of political interference in the justice system has until 20 February to conclude its work. The committee adjourned its oral hearings in November and is now working under a tight deadline after being granted an extension by the National Assembly. Chairperson Molapi Soviet Lekganyane urged members to take public submissions seriously, saying Parliament must listen to citizens’ grievances:

# The MK Party has criticised the appointment of Andy Mothibi as National Director of Public Prosecutions, describing it as politically pre-orchestrated. Spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela claims the timing is suspicious, citing Mothibi’s previous Special Investigating Unit findings implicating president Cyril Ramaphosa’s nephew, Hangwani Maumela, in the Tembisa Hospital corruption case. Ndhlela alleges the appointment aims to shield him from prosecution. He has called for urgent arrests, National Prosecuting Authority reforms, and a review of presidential powers in appointing key constitutional positions.

The EFF has also expressed serious concern over Mothibi’s appointment, citing flaws in the panel process and legislative loopholes that grant undue executive discretion. The party’s Sinawo Thambo warns South Africa risks an executive dictatorship in key judicial appointments. He says Mothibi must prove the NPA will act independently, prioritising prosecutions without political influence. Thambo says they will judge his tenure by outcomes, not promises.

# The Soil of Africa Advocacy Movement has rejected what it says is the continued normalisation of unplaced Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners’ failure in Gauteng. Four-thousand-858 learners remain unplaced for this academic year as a result of capacity constraints and late applications. The movement’s chairperson, Bongani Ramontja, says the online admissions system means nothing if it lacks humanity, responsiveness, and urgency:

# Rugby: The arrival of Storm Goretti is adding to the challenge South African teams are facing in the Northern Hemisphere this weekend. Below freezing temperatures are expected in cities across Europe. The Stormers are heading to London for Sunday’s Champions Cup clash with Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop. The Sharks are taking on Sale Sharks in Manchester, and the Cheetahs are meeting Ulster in a Challenge Cup game in Amsterdam on Sunday. It is uncertain if the game will go ahead because of the icy conditions.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-42-cents and the euro at 19-rand-19-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-16-cents and Bitcoin trades at 92-thousand-9-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-442-dollars-16-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 60-dollars-33-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….