News 06:00

BULLETIN 2 February 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Jacob Zuma Foundation denies links to Jeffrey Epstein
# The Presidency confirms there will be no army deployment in the  Cape Flats
# And tennis: Carlos Alcaraz makes history after winning his maiden Australian Open title

# The Jacob Zuma Foundation has strongly rejected allegations linking former president Jacob Zuma to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The denial follows fresh disclosures from the US Justice Department, which released three-million pages from the Epstein files. According to Daily Maverick, emails indicate Epstein arranged an intimate dinner for Zuma during his 2010 UK state visit. The foundation’s Mzwanele Manyi insists these reports are an attempt to tarnish Zuma’s reputation:

# AgriSA has warned that proposed changes to land, labour, and water laws may be impracticable and risk destabilising agriculture. In its 2026 Policy Outlook, the organisation calls for evidence-based, realistic reforms to protect food security and rural livelihoods. It says land reform remains weak, labour rules costly, and water regulations burdensome. Agri SA urges the government to prioritise certainty, investor confidence, and sector-specific solutions to unlock growth and employment.

# The DA Gauteng has warned premier Panyaza Lesufi that reinstating Lesiba Malotana as Head of the Gauteng Health Department will worsen the ongoing health crisis. Spokesperson Jack Bloom cites Malotana’s suspension after failing a lifestyle audit and involvement in Tembisa Hospital and Personal Protective Equipment contracts scandals. Bloom urges Lesufi to back acting Head of Department Darion Barclay, and place capable leaders to improve hospital and clinic services across Gauteng:

# The Presidency has confirmed there are no plans to deploy the South African National Defence Force to the Cape Flats, despite reports that more than 200 people were killed in January amid escalating gang violence. The decision stands even as the Western Cape recorded 195 murders in the first 17 days of 2026, averaging eleven per day. The killings are predominantly mass shootings and gang-related violence. Communities and civil groups continue to call for tougher action to stabilise volatile areas.

# Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has warned that any US military strike on his country could spark a broader regional war. This is amid rising tensions after Washington boosted its military presence in the Middle East. US president Donald Trump had threatened to intervene in Iran over its nuclear ambitions and after its deadly crackdown on anti-government protests. Khamenei says they are not the instigators and the Iranian nation will deliver a firm blow to anyone who attacks or harasses it.

# Tennis: World number one Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam by earning his maiden Australian Open title. The 22-year-old Spaniard came from a set down to beat ten-time champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5, to secure his seventh major title. Thirty-eight-year-old Djokovic was bidding for his 25th Grand Slam title. Alcaraz says chasing the Calendar Grand Slam is a major challenge, but one that excites him:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-11-cents and the euro at 19-rand-10-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-5-cents and Bitcoin trades at 77-thousand-437-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-895-dollars-11-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 69-dollars-57-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….