News 17:00

BULLETIN 26 January 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Witness E links top police officials to the Sindiso Magaqa assassination
# SANParks confirms partial operations at the Skukuza Camp
# And tennis: Swiatek ends Inglis’s fairytale at Australian Open

# A covert crime intelligence operative, known as Witness E, has told the Madlanga Commission he disclosed full details about the murder of former ANC Youth League Secretary-General Sindiso Magaqa to then Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. Witness E says Mchunu contacted him directly, despite his number being restricted, and asked for names of SAPS officials allegedly involved. He confirmed sharing all information and identities, describing himself as a compelled, protected state witness:

# South African National Parks says parts of the Kruger National Park, including Skukuza Camp, are operating partially after heavy rains caused severe flooding across Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Several camps, roads and bridges were damaged. SANParks CEO Hapiloe Sello says repairs could cost over half-a-billion-rand. She praised staff for disaster readiness, noting no loss of life. She adds that more than 500 employees remain cut off, with SANParks providing food parcels and ongoing support.

# The DA says justice is under threat in the Western Cape. This after four young people were shot over the weekend in the Cape Flats, leaving three dead and one injured. According to the party, nearly 300-thousand cases are being handled by just two-thousand-700 detectives, many without vehicles, and only 82 are investigating organised crime. The DA’s Benedicta van Minnen urged acting Police minister Firoz Cachalia to boost police capacity to protect communities:

# The death toll from this morning’s ferry boat accident in the Southern Philippines has reached at least 15, with 316 people rescued, while the search continues for missing people. The accident happened while the vessel was en route from Zamboanga to Jolo in the Sulu province. The Philippine Coast Guard says the vessel had 332 passengers on board and 27 crew. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident, while military aircraft and vessels have been deployed to assist rescue efforts.

# Tennis: Six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek ended the fairytale run of local qualifier Maddison Inglis at the Australian Open to set up a quarterfinal clash with fifth-seeded Elena Rybakina. The Polish second seed demolished Inglis 6-love, 6-3. Inglis reached the fourth round when Naomi Osaka withdrew from their third-round match through injury. Just being in the fourth round earned her almost five-million-rand and some crucial ranking points. Swiatek has won four French Opens, the US Open and Wimbledon, but is yet to lift the trophy in Melbourne.

And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-6-cents and the euro at 19-rand-2-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-92-cents and Bitcoin trades at 87-thousand-726-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-80-dollars-75-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-4-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….