News 18:00

BULLETIN 23 January 6 pm

Good morning/Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Moroadi Cholota is looking forward to the trial-within-a-trial in her extradition matter
# The DA welcomes the establishment of a SANParks Kruger Recovery Fund
# And, firefighters monitor and contain the remaining fire lines in the Franschhoek mountains

# Former Free State premier Ace Magashule’s personal assistant, Moroadi Cholota, has welcomed the Constitutional Court ruling that her 2024 extradition from the US was unlawful. She and 18 others faces corruption and money laundering charges in the 255-million-rand asbestos case linked to Magashule. Speaking to SABC News, she emphasised the fight for her rights will continue as a trial-within-a-trial commence on Monday at the High Court in the Free State:

# The DA has welcomed the establishment of the Kruger Recovery Fund by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and South African National Parks. The fund will support the urgent rebuilding and restoration of critical infrastructure at the Kruger National Park to ensure its long-term sustainability. Flood damage to the premier game reserve is being estimated at 500-million-rand. The DA’s Andrew de Blocq says they support the fund’s governance structure:

# The Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Fire Services says firefighters are monitoring and containing a few remaining fire spots in the higher-lying areas of the Franschhoek mountains. However, the Franschhoek Pass remains open. The municipality’s Jo-Anne Otto urged caution as firefighting and monitoring efforts continue:

# White farmers in Zimbabwe are seeking US president Donald Trump’s support to secure 56-billion-rand in compensation for land seized during violent invasions beginning in 2000. A Trump-linked lobbying firm, Mercury Public Affairs, has agreed to represent the farmers free of charge. The current Zimbabwean government pledged compensation in 2020 but has failed to deliver. Pressure continue to grow on Harare to honour the agreement and clear arrears blocking international funding, raising concerns over political risk and investor confidence.

# Rugby: The outcome of tomorrow’s United Rugby Championship between the Stormers and the Sharks in Cape Town is regarded as highly unpredictable. Sharks coach JP Pietersen says of the last four match results in Cape Town there’s never been more than five points between the teams. Stormers flanker Paul de Villiers says they are like those derby games you play at school, no matter what the teams have done before, and who is in form and who isn’t – they are close and it feels like anyone can win.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-19-cents and the euro at 19-rand-1-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-90-cents and Bitcoin trades at 89-thousand-365-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-943-dollars-74-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-92-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….