News 13:00

BULLETIN 17 January 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Fikile Mbalula vows to solve the uMkhonto weSizwe War Veterans’ issues
# The DA warns against a tobacco plant closure
# And, seven are killed in a suspected extortion-related attack in Philippi

# ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula says government must urgently fix the challenges facing liberation war veterans, stressing that the ANC cannot complain as outsiders while in power. Addressing more than 400 delegates at the inaugural conference of the uMkhonto weSizwe Liberation War Veterans in Bloemfontein, Mbalula assured members it would not be business as usual. He thanked the veterans for their continued role in political education and strengthening the ANC’s foundations:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday received a brief on steps toward a peaceful transitional process in Madagascar, including a national dialogue. This was presented by the president of the Refoundation of the Republic of Madagascar, Michael Randrianirina, in Pretoria. The presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magweny,a says Ramaphosa welcomed the update and reaffirmed the Southern African Development Community’s decision to deploy the Panel of Elders to assist in the transition:

# The DA has raised alarm over British American Tobacco’s decision to close its only manufacturing plant in Heidelberg, Gauteng, warning of hundreds of job losses. The DA’s Wendy Alexander says the move highlights the devastating impact of the unchecked illicit cigarette trade dominating the market. She warns that billions in tax revenue are lost annually and urges SARS and Treasury to urgently intensify efforts to combat illicit trade and protect jobs:

# Seven people have been fatally shot and three others injured in an alleged extortion-related attack in Marikana Informal Settlement in Philippi, outside Cape Town. Police reports indicate that the shooting occurred last night, and a manhunt is underway for the gunman who fled the scene. Western Cape Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile is expected to visit the crime scene as authorities work to investigate the incident.

# And finally sports news:

# Rugby: The Bulls beat France’s Pau 26-24 in a Champions Cup away match on Friday night. It is the South Africans’ first win in seven fixtures across all competitions and moves them into fourth place in Pool 4, despite having won just one and losing three of their group stage matches. If the Scarlets go down to Northampton today, the Bulls will have a spot in the last 16 of the tournament. The win will be a huge sigh of relief for coach Johan Ackermann, who has been under immense pressure during the Bulls’ run of losses.

Meanwhile, the Sharks conclude their pool commitments in this year’s Champions Cup tournament when they host the French side Clermont Auvergne at Kings Park today. Clermont will be playing for pride, looking for their first and possibly their only win in the competition after losses to Sale Sharks, Glasgow Warriors, and Saracens. A second win for the Sharks will see them secure knock-out qualification and push through to the round of 16. Nick Hatton continues his lead-by-example role and retained the captaincy for the match kicking off in Durban at 3 this afternoon.

Stay tuned for more news………….