News 08:00

BULLETIN 30 January 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa has set a new date for the completion of the Nkabinde Inquiry
# Iran’s Revolutionary Guard is branded a terrorist organisation by the EU
# And cricket: Quinton de Kock leads the Proteas to a T20 series victory over the West Indies

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the term for the completion of the Nkabinde Inquiry, which is looking into the fitness of suspended South Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions, advocate Andrew Chauke, to hold office. This is to allow the inquiry to address the delays caused by witness unavailability and incomplete testimony. The main complainant, outgoing National Prosecuting Authority head, advocate Shamila Batohi, has been the only witness to testify so far. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, says the president established the inquiry in September 2025:

# ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has announced a national march to defend South Africa’s Constitution and the country’s sovereignty. The march, scheduled for 21 March, will see thousands gather from Beyers Naudé Park near Luthuli House to Constitution Hill in Braamfontein, with simultaneous marches across the country. Mbalula told the media the march is aimed at protecting democratic values, strengthening constitutional order, and resisting any actions that undermine the authority of the state:

# Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya says the metro is becoming more stable after several difficult years. The Office of the Auditor-General has given Tshwane a qualified audit opinion for the 2024/2025 financial year, for a third consecutive year. The Auditor General has raised concerns over the lack of internal controls and consequence management in the metro. Tshwane’s net assets increased by about 2.3-billion-rand and liquidity has improved. Moya has stressed that challenges remain in revenue collection and in fixing remaining audit issues.

# Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps has been designated a terrorist group by the European Union after the deadly crackdown on nationwide protests. At least six-thousand people were killed during anti-government demonstrations this month. The EU has also placed new sanctions on six entities and 15 individuals in Iran. EU Foreign Policy chief, Kaja Kallas, says the IRGC is now on the same level as jihadist groups like al-Qaeda, Hamas, and the Islamic State group:

# Cricket: Quinton de Kock starred with the bat as South Africa defeated the West Indies by seven wickets in Centurion, to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in their three-match T20 series. Shimron Hetmyer scored 75 as the visitors posted 221 for four. In reply, De Kock, playing in his first T20 at home in almost three years, scored 115, and shared a second-wicket partnership of 162 with Ryan Rickelton. The Proteas won with 15 balls to spare. The third and final match will be played at the Wanderers tomorrow.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-82-cents and the euro at 18-rand-86-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-76-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 82-thousand-144-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-184-dollars-40-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-27-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….