News 18:00

BULLETIN 16 January 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Jacob Zuma claims Sisi Khampepe harbours personal animosity over his 2021 prison sentence
# Dumisani Khumalo denies Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s claims of phone tampering
# And, Cosatu is concerned by the explosion in illicit tobacco

# Former president Jacob Zuma says Truth and Reconciliation Commission inquiry chairperson Justice Sisi Khampepe has a personal grudge against him over his 2021 prison sentence. Zuma, together with former president Thabo Mbeki, has filed an application seeking Khampepe’s recusal as chair of the inquiry into delays in prosecuting apartheid-era crimes. Zuma’s lawyer, Dali Mpofu argued Khampepe’s previous role as a TRC commissioner and her position as deputy director of public prosecutions present a conflict of interest:

# The SAPS Crime Intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo has denied allegations that the phones of businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala were tampered with. The claims were raised before Parliament’s ad hoc committee by the head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, Andrea Johnson, and Matlala himself. Khumalo says digital forensic reports and chain-of-custody statements prove no data was deleted. He added that this action would be illegal:

# Cosatu has expressed concern about the possible loss of 230 jobs with British American Tobacco South Africa closing its factory in Heidelberg, Gauteng, by the end of the year. The federation union is also worried about the explosion in illicit tobacco, now estimated to be 75-percent of total sales. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks says the country cannot afford to lose more jobs with an already dangerously high unemployment rate:

# A series of scholar transport operations by the Tshwane Metro Police Taxi and Public Transport Unit resulted in the impoundment of 24 vehicles operating for rewards in the CBD and Mayville. The vehicles were found to be unroadworthy and operating without the necessary permits. TMPD spokesperson, Puleng Motholo, says this crackdown serves as a stern reminder to all operators that compliance with road traffic regulations is not optional but a necessity:

# Tennis: World number two Jannik Sinner says last year’s doping scandal just made him stronger and more relaxed on court. He served  a three-month suspension for two positive drug tests the previous year, although his explanation was accepted that the product didn’t enter his system intentionally. Sinner is preparing for the defense of his Australian Open title when the year’s first Grand Slam tournament starts in Melbourne on Sunday. He says this year is less stressful. His first match is against Frenchman Hugo Gaston.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-41-cents and the euro at 19-rand-6-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-98-cents and Bitcoin trades at 95-thousand-506-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-602-dollars-80-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-14-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….