News 11:00

BULLETIN 16 January 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# America says South Africa can’t lecture the world on justice while cosying up to Iran
# Tax Justice SA is concerned about the closure of BATSA’s manufacturing plant
# And soccer: Banyana Banyana’s WAFCON opponents are revealed

# The US embassy in South Africa has criticised Iran’s presence at BRICS naval drills off Simon’s Town in Cape Town, saying its inclusion undermines maritime security and regional stability. Vessels from Iran, China, Russia and the United Arab Emirates sailed into the country last week to take part in the exercises. The US embassy says permitting Iranian military forces to operate in South African waters or going to Tehran and expressing solidarity isn’t non-alignment, it’s choosing to stand with a regime that brutally represses its people and engages in terrorism.

# Tax Justice SA says the closure of British American Tobacco South Africa’s manufacturing plant is damning proof that authorities’ failure to curb the illicit cigarette trade is destroying jobs, draining public revenue and eroding the rule of law. The company will shut its factory in Heidelberg, Gauteng, with 230 jobs at risk. Tax Justice SA founder, Yusuf Abramjee, says BATSA’s decision is the predictable outcome of allowing organised criminal networks to operate openly:

# ActionSA has introduced its Fallen Whistleblowers Bill, the first legislation in its anti-corruption reform package. Party leader Herman Mashaba says the bill aims to confront corruption and protect those who expose it, particularly in public procurement. He emphasises it proposes stronger whistleblower protection, harsher penalties for intimidation and financial incentives for disclosures. Mashaba says it also provides for private prosecution where the National Prosecuting Authority fails to act:

# The ANC in Greater Johannesburg says Al Jamah’s motion of no confidence in mayor Dada Morero will not succeed. The motion proposed by councillor Kabelo Gwamanda and seconded by the UDM argues Morero has failed to provide decisive leadership amid ongoing service delivery failures affecting residents across the metro. The ANC’s regional secretary, Sasabona Manganye, told the SABC they have full confidence in Morero:

# Soccer: 2022 champion South Africa had been drawn in Group B alongside the Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Tanzania for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which will be staged in Morocco in March and April. Banyana Banyana fell at the semifinal stage last year. Defending champion Nigeria is in Group C with Zambia, Egypt and debutants Malawi, while the hostsesses will play Algeria, Senegal and Kenya in Group A. The four semifinalists will qualify for next year’s Women’s World Cup.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-35-cents and the euro at 18-rand-99-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-88-cents and Bitcoin trades at 95-thousand-694-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-608-dollars-94-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-36-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….