News 15:00

BULLETIN 22 January 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA says the ANC’s silence regarding the UN exposes complicity in the Iran massacre
# The NPA confirms a prima facie case in the Vanderbijlpark learner transport crash
# And tennis: Forty-year-old Stan Wawrinka reaches the third round in Melbourne

# The DA says the government’s silence on the massacre of anti-government protesters in Iran exposes the ANC’s complicity. The party criticised the government for failing to support a United Nations Human Rights Council vote calling for a special session on Iran, and for offering only a statement calling for restraint and dialogue. The DA’s Ryan Smith says the ANC is prioritising political interests over human rights, damaging South Africa’s global reputation:

# The National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed it has prima facie evidence against the driver in Monday’s fatal learner transport vehicle accident in Vanderbijlpark. Twenty-two-year-old Ayanda Dludla appeared in the local Magistrate’s Court today. The NPA’s Gauteng spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, said at the court the docket supports 14 counts of murder, rather than culpable homicide. She says the state believes Dludla has a case to answer:

Meanwhile, Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, confirmed the death of a 16-year-old female learner at Sebokeng hospital, bringing the death toll from the accident to 14. She says despite round-the-clock medical care and multiple surgeries, two critically injured learners succumbed to their injuries. She adds that one 10-year-old survivor remains in stable condition in Sebokeng Hospital’s paediatric surgical ward:

# Dams across Limpopo have risen to full or above capacity as heavy rains persist, raising concerns over localised flooding. The Department of Water and Sanitation says while major dams remain structurally sound, high river flows are affecting low-lying areas. Klaserie and Flag Boshielo dams have exceeded 100-percent, with flooding reported in Mopani district and near the Kruger National Park. Authorities have closed unsafe crossings and urged communities to heed warnings and evacuation notices.

# Tennis: Swiss veteran Stanislas Wawrinka rewrote the history books in Melbourne this morning, becoming the first 40-year-old in decades to reach the third round of the Australian Open. He battled through five long sets to suppress the onslaught of Frenchman Arthur Gea, 19-years his junior. Wawrinka admitted afterwards he was exhausted after four and a half hours on court. Defending champion and world number two, Jannik Sinner of Italy, easily beat local player James Duckworth in straigt sets in their second-round match at Rod Laver Arena.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-20-cents and the euro at 18-rand-95-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-74-cents and Bitcoin trades at 89-thousand-924-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-828-dollars-81-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-56-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….