News 16:00

BULLETIN 16 January 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The death toll in the Limpopo floods climbs to 11 as rescue efforts continue
# Big fuel price cuts loom for February as the rand and the oil prices favour motorists
# And rugby: Feinberg-Mngomezulu will lead the Stormers in the Champions Cup encounter tomorrow

# The death toll from flooding in Limpopo has risen to eleven as heavy rains continue to affect parts of the province. The fatalities date back to last month. Search and rescue operations are still ongoing in the worst-hit areas, following a red level ten warning issued by the South African Weather Service. Premier Phophi Ramathuba has offered condolences to the families of the victims and warns severe damage to roads is hampering response efforts:

Meanwhile the minister for Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Willie Aucamp expresses deep concern for people affected by the ongoing flooding at Kruger National Park. Aucamp says authorities are monitoring the impact on local communities and wildlife, and measures are being put in place to provide support. He urges cooperation between park management, residents, and government agencies to ensure safety and address the challenges caused by the floods.

# The Central Energy Fund’s mid-month data shows South African motorists can expect significant fuel price cuts next month. A stronger rand and sharply lower global oil prices are driving positive recoveries. Petrol prices show an over-recovery of between 77 and 82 cents a litre, while diesel leads with cuts of up to one-rand-two-cents per litre. Final prices will be confirmed by the Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources later this month.

# A News24 investigation reveals South Africa narrowly avoided a serious national security breach after controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala allegedly courted Nedbank to support a proposed 70-million-rand-a-year luxury private terminal at OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng. Journalist Jeff Wicks told Newzroom Afrika the plan, called The Green Lounge, offered fast-track customs and exclusive services, and had reached advanced stages. He says Matlala is currently jailed facing serious criminal charges:

# Rugby: Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu takes over the Stormers’ captaincy for tomorrow’s Champions Cup encounter with Leicester Tigers at the Cape Town stadium. Regular captain Salmaan Moerat is unavailable due to a family engagement, and both Warrick Gelant and Damian Willemse are ruled out by concussion protocols, so Feinberg-Mngomezulu will lead the team for the first time. The Stormers will aim to secure a place in the knock-out stages when the round four clash gets underway at 5.15.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-37-cents and the euro at 19-rand-2-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-95-cents and Bitcoin trades at 95-thousand-481-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-610-dollars-55-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-18-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….