News 09:00

BULLETIN 17 January 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# COSATU asks for climate-resilient rebuilding after the Limpopo and Mpumalanga floods
# The DA demands answers from the Defence minister over the BRICS military exercise
# And, the UK Navy launches a new crewless helicopter to counter North Atlantic threats

# COSATU has urged government to rebuild flood-damaged infrastructure in Limpopo and Mpumalanga in a way that ensures long-term climate resilience. Eleven deaths, including a five-year-old, and over four-billion in damage have been reported, with roads and bridges destroyed. More than one-thousand-600 homes are reportedly damaged or destroyed. COSATU spokesperson Zanele Sabela urges that reconstruction protects vulnerable communities against future disasters:

Meanwhile, Human Settlements minister Thembi Simelane has called for heightened vigilance in Limpopo and Mpumalanga. She says the impact has been severe as it has led to deaths and damage to critical infrastructure. Simelane told SABC News government is providing emergency housing support and psychosocial services to affected families. The minister confirmed that a full flood damage assessment will begin next week:

# Bosasa former Chief Operations Officer has given key evidence against Sondolo IT director Trevor Mathenjwa in the High Court in Johannesburg. Mathenjwa faces corruption charges over an alleged 600-thousand-rand bribe from Bosasa to upgrade security at the late Dudu Myeni’s home. Investigating Directorate Against Corruption spokesperson Henry Mamothame says the defence has begun cross-examining Agrizzi, and the case has been adjourned to 7 April for the continuation of his testimony:

# The DA is demanding urgent answers over alleged failures to implement president Cyril Ramaphosa’s instruction regarding Iran’s participation in Exercise Will for Peace 2026 in Cape Town. The DA says the minister of Defence Angie Motshekga must account to Parliament on whether a presidential directive was ignored or diluted. The party warns that reliance on a Board of Inquiry delays accountability, while raising serious concerns about civilian control. The DA emphasised that the SANDF must maintain strict constitutional discipline, uphold the law, and remain apolitical, while fulfilling its mandate to defend the country.

# Britain’s Royal Navy said on Friday its first full-sized autonomous helicopter had completed its maiden flight. The aircraft named Proteus was designed to track submarines and carry out other high-risk missions amid rising North Atlantic tensions. Europe’s defence sector has been reshaped since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with governments increasing spending on defence to boost their military.  Proteus relies on sensors and computer systems powered by software that allows it to interpret its environment and make decisions

# And motorsport: Five-time Dakar winner, Qatari Nasser Al Attiyah and his Belgian navigator Fabian Lurquin put a firm hand on Nasser’s sixth victory with a compelling penultimate stage victory in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, on Friday. They now lead Spaniards Nani Roma and Alex Haro 15 minutes, with Sebastien Loeb and Édouard Boulanger third. Of South African interest, Saood Variawa and Guy Botterill’s Toyotas lie 11th and 14th, Brian Baragwanath 16th, and Henk Lategan 21st. Today’s final stage is a short 105-kilometre loop around Yanbu.

Stay tuned for more news………….