News 11:00

BULLETIN 30 January 11 am

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Solidarity Movement says the the ANC’s planned mass demonstration against America is economic suicide
# The corruption-accused judge Ledwaba is shortlisted for the Gauteng JKudge-President position
# And cricket: A former under-19 captain could make her senior debut for the Proteas Women against Pakistan

# The Solidarity Movement has condemned ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula’s announcement that a mass demonstration against the US is planned for 21 March. At a post-ANC lekgotla briefing yesterday, Mbalula described South Africa’s relations with the US as a cold war, saying the country maintains its support for multilateralism, but won’t be policed or bullied by president Donald Trump. Solidarity’s Jaco Kleynhans says Mbalula and the ANC’s statements and actions are economic suicide:

The ANC has meanwhile recommitted itself to fighting crime, corruption, illegal mining and gender-based violence. The party describes these issues as major threats to public safety and social stability. It has also pledged tougher action against illegal mining operations that harm communities and infrastructure. Mbalula says protecting women and children and restoring public trust in the justice system remain key priorities:

# Judge Aubrey Ledwaba, who has been implicated in testimony before the Madlanga commission, has been shortlisted to be interviewed for the Gauteng Judge President vacancy. It is alleged he was paid 2.5-million-rand to release alleged crime kingpin Katiso ‘KT’ Molefe on bail. Ledwaba has denied the allegations. The Judicial Service Commission has also released the names of candidates who will be interviewed for positions in the Supreme Court of Appeal, Land Court, Competition Appeal Court, and divisions of the High Court in the Western and Eastern Cape.

Moving abroad:

# Iran has criticised the European Union’s decision to designate the country’s Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist group, saying this is a major strategic mistake. Human rights groups estimate that over six-thousand protesters were killed by security forces, including the corps, during weeks of anti-government demonstrations in the past two months. Iran’s Foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has accused the EU of hypocrisy and selective outrage, saying it takes no action in response to Israel’s genocide in Gaza, but rushes to defend human rights in Tehran.

# Cricket: Former South African under-19 women’s captain Kayla Reyneke is expected to make her debut for the senior team after being included in the squad for the three-match T20 home series against Pakistan. Other players in the group include captain Laura Wolvaardt, Chloé Tryon, Marizanne Kapp, Dané van Niekerk, Masabata Klaas and Ayabonga Khaka. Top-order batters Lara Goodall and Faye Tunnicliffe are part of the one-day squad for the three matches that will follow the T20s. The first T20 is scheduled for Potchefstroom on 10 February.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-91-cents and the euro at 18-rand-97-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-89-cents and Bitcoin trades at 82-thousand-501-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-160-dollars-59-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-10-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….