News 12:00

BULLETIN 29 January 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The US ambassador-designate is yet to present his credentials to Ramaphosa
# A former Crime Intelligence’s official claims he was removed for refusing to authorise unlawful expenditure
# And Cape Town’s dam levels drop nearly 20-percent compared to last year

# Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says the new US ambassador-designate to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell, has not yet presented his credentials to president Cyril Ramaphosa. Bozell, a known ally of president Donald Trump, will replace Ruben Brigety, who resigned last January. Ntshavheni adds while the US has appointed an ambassador, South Africa has not yet named a replacement for its former ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool, who was declared persona non grata.

# Former Crime Intelligence official, Tiyani Hlungwani, has linked his dismissal to his refusal to authorise unlawful expenditure from the Secret Service Account. He gave evidence before Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating allegations of criminal infiltration, corruption, and political interference in the justice system. Hlungwani, who previously served as Finance and Administration Services head within Crime Intelligence, alleged corruption and abuse of state resources under Crime Intelligence Divisional Commissioner, Dumisani Khumalo’s leadership. He says he was subjected to sustained occupational detriment for refusing to compromise financial controls.

# Eight people have died in a collision between a truck and a minibus taxi on the R102 in Durban. KwaZulu-Natal emergency services are on the scene while several other passengers remain trapped. Medical services and rescue teams are working to free the victims. Authorities have urged motorists to avoid the scene as investigations into the cause of the crash are underway.

# Cape Town’s dam levels are almost 20-percent lower than this time last year, and now stands at 62-percent. The city warns high usage could lead to restrictions, and urges residents to save water by fixing leaks, using less at home, and watering gardens at night. The mayoral committee member for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, says water usage has peaked at nearly one-billion litres a day, well above the target of 975-million litres:

# Basketball: The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has formally commenced a process to rebuild and stabilise the governance of the sport in South Africa. This follows the de-recognition of Basketball South Africa due to prolonged governance and administrative failures that undermined development. The department’s spokesperson, Zimasa Velaphi, says the process will include the formulation of a comprehensive roadmap for the revival and sustainable development of the sport:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-68-cents and the euro at 18-rand-79-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-71-cents and Bitcoin trades at 87-thousand-940-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-528-dollars-82-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-25-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….