News 06:00

BULLETIN 8 January 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says he has full confidence in Mothibi to guide the NPA through its transition period
# Knysna faces a severe water crisis with less than two weeks’ supply remaining
# And, the US seizes a Russian-flagged tanker linked to Venezuela

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says advocate Andy Mothibi will help guide the National Prosecuting Authority through its transition period. The Special Investigating Unit head will replace the retiring National Director of Public Prosecutions, Shamila Batohi, whose term ends this month. Ramaphosa says, despite Mothibi nearing retirement age, he has full confidence that he will take the NPA forward:

Meanwhile, RISE Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi has called on Mothibi to tackle systemic issues in the National Prosecuting Authority. Zibi highlighted under-resourcing, both in personnel and budgets, and stressed the need for skilled investigators. Zibi referred to the Hawks’ 49-percent vacancy rate and lack of forensic and digital specialists, and said holistic reforms across investigation and prosecution are crucial for Mothibi’s success in strengthening the justice system:

# Knysna in the Western Cape is facing a full-blown water crisis, with only about 13 days of supply left in the town’s main dam, Akkerkloof, which has dropped to 20-percent. Mayor Thando Matika says immediate action is critical, as level four water restrictions are already in place. Authorities, including the Joint Operations Committee, are coordinating emergency measures and urging residents, businesses, and visitors to drastically reduce water use to avoid taps running dry.

#  The US has seized a Russian-flagged, Venezuela-linked tanker on Wednesday as part of President Donald Trump’s aggressive push to dictate oil flows. Having deposed Nicolas Maduro, Washington is blockading sanctioned vessels in and out of the waters off Venezuela. According to officials, the US Coast Guard and the military took a tanker that was sailing under a Russian flag. The Coast Guard also intercepted another fully-loaded Venezuela-linked tanker near the northeast coast of South America, in the fourth such case in recent weeks.

# Rugby: Springbok loose forward Ruan Venter will miss the Lions’ next four matches. He was banned following his red card against the Sharks in last weekend’s Rugby Championship match in Durban. Venter was sent off with a yellow card for making head contact with the Sharks’ Bok fullback, Aphelele Fassi, and it was upgraded to a 20-minute red card. His six-match ban was mitigated to four due to his remorse and exemplary conduct throughout the disciplinary process. Venter will only be available again in February.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-44-cents and the euro at 19-rand-20-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-12-cents and Bitcoin trades at 91-thousand-358-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-462-dollars-12-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 60-dollars-8-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….