News 09:00

BULLETIN 8 January 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Shamila Batohi has full confidence in her successor
# An urgent call for water saving as Cape Town’s dam levels drop further
# And, an UN report warns of intensifying racial discrimination by Israel against Palestinians

# Outgoing National Director of Public Prosecutions, Shamila Batohi, says she has confidence in her successor, advocate Andy Mothibi, that he is the right person for the job, given his experience leading the Special Investigating Unit. President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Mothibi as the next National Prosecuting Authority head on Tuesday. Batohi says Mothibi’s appointment comes at a moment when the NPA is on a journey of rebuilding, strengthening institutional integrity, and advancing justice. She adds that he knows what it means to fight for the rule of law in the country.

Meanwhile, ActionSA says it expects Mothibi’s tenure will represent a departure from the failures and incompetence that have characterised the National Prosecuting Authority. He will replace Batohi, who retires at the end of this month after seven years in the position. ActionSA spokesperson, Matthew George, says a serious reflection on the inadequate framework through which the heads of prosecuting authorities are appointed is required:

# The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is urging all residents, businesses and visitors to immediately reduce water consumption. This as usage has spiked once again over recent hot days, resulting in dam levels dropping 19-percent below what was available at the same time last year. Mayoral committee member for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, says should if usage does not reduce quickly, concerns about water security in the months ahead may arise:

# A report by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights warns that Israel is violating obligations under international law in the occupied West Bank, requiring states to prohibit and eradicate racial segregation and apartheid. The report describes systemic discrimination against Palestinians in the territory as a long-standing concern. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, says discriminatory practices have accelerated dramatically since late 2022 amid growing violence, repression, and impunity:

# Soccer: Manchester City squandered another chance to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal, after being held to a 1-1 draw against Brighton. Erling Haaland returned to scoring form with his 150th City goal in all competitions, and Kaoru Mitoma scored only his second goal of the season to equalise. Arsenal can go eight points clear at the top if they beat Liverpool today. Meanwhile, Manchester United, under interim head coach Darren Fletcher, drew 2-2 against Burnley, while Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur suffered defeats.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-45-cents and the euro at 19-rand-21-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-64-cents and Bitcoin trades at 90-thousand-654-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-469-dollars-25-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 60-dollars-3-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….