News 12:00

BULLETIN 30 January 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Zuma and Mbeki’s applications to have Justice Khampepe recused from the TRC hearings is dismissed
# The United Nations chief expresses concern at the US’s exclusion of South Africa from G20 processes
# And cricket: A former under-19 captain is expected to make her senior debut for the Proteas against Pakistan

# Retired Justice Sisi Khampepe has dismissed former presidents Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki’s applications for her recusal from chairing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission cases inquiry. The applications cited alleged conflicts of interest linked to Khampepe’s previous roles within the TRC and the National Prosecuting Authority. In her ruling, she said Zuma and Mbeki had failed to establish any reasonable apprehension of bias, and unreasonably delayed bringing their recusal applications. The ruling means the former presidents will have to testify before the commission.

# Cosatu has expressed disappointment because the South African Reserve Bank failed to cut the repo rate. The bank’s Monetary Policy Committee has kept the repo rate unchanged at 6.75-percent, while the prime lending rate remains at 10.25-percent. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks says a repo rate cut of at least 50 basis points was needed to provide breathing space to millions of workers struggling to cope with the rising costs of living:

# 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, 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:

United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has meanwhile expressed concern at South Africa’s exclusion from G20 processes under US leadership. Trump said in November South Africa would not be invited to US-hosted events. This followed months of escalated tensions related to trade tariffs and Trump’s claim of a white genocide in South Africa. Guterres says the G20 is not a multilateral organisation, but an aggregation of countries:

# 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-89-cents and the euro at 18-rand-98-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-89-cents and Bitcoin trades at 82-thousand-676-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-159-dollars-70-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-22-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….