News 08:00

BULLETIN 8 January 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa urges the removal of red tape to boost trade ahead of January 8
# Robert McBride and Paul O’Sullivan will testify before Parliament’s ad hoc committee
# And, an infant formula is recalled over a potential toxin

# ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa has called for cutting red tape to boost trade ahead of the party’s January 8 celebrations. Speaking in Greater Rustenburg during a multi-sector dialogue, Ramaphosa urged that traders be allowed to operate properly and legally. He also gave an update on ANC-led government interventions, emphasising accountability and continued engagement with communities as the party marks its 114th anniversary today:

# Former Independent Police Investigative Directorate head, Robert McBride, private forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan and suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department deputy chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, are some of the key witnesses who will testify next before Parliament’s ad hoc committee. The committee investigating allegations of corruption in the criminal justice system will resume oral hearings next week. McBride faces allegations of improper collusion with O’Sullivan to target specific individuals in the police service. Mkhwanazi is accused of having an irregular relationship with murder accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. 

# The National Consumer Commission has announced a recall of Nestlé’s NAN special pro baby formula 800 gram tins. This follows a report from an ingredient supplier of possible contamination with a toxin which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea. The recall affects products sold in South Africa, Namibia, and Eswatini, though no illnesses have been reported. The commission’s Phetho Ntaba says they will continue monitoring the situation to ensure the product is safe:

# US Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, has defended the actions of an ICE agent who killed a 37-year-old woman in Minneapolis, saying deadly force is perfectly lawful when a weapon poses a threat. Authorities say the shooting happened as a violent rioter allegedly attempted to run over an immigration officer. The victim has been identified as Renee Nicole Good. Noem has described the driver’s actions as an act of domestic terrorism:

# Cricket: Performances by Shai Hope and Lungi Ngidi powered the Pretoria Capitals to a 15-run victory over Durban’s Super Giants in their SA20 clash at Kingsmead. Barbadian Hope struck an unbeaten 118 off 69 balls, the highest individual score in the tournament’s history, as the visitors posted 201 for four in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, Lungi Ngidi claimed the League’s first-ever hat trick as the Super Giants were bowled out for 186, with Englishman Jos Buttler scoring an unbeaten 97.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-44-cents and the euro at 19-rand-21-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-13-cents and Bitcoin trades at 90-thousand-926-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-438-dollars-49-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 59-dollars-95-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….