News 07:00

BULLETIN 2 February 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Julius Malema says his leadership of the EFF is not under threat
# The Health Department allays fears amid concerns about the Nipah virus
# And rugby: The Blitzboks finish fourth at the Singapore Sevens

# EFF leader Julius Malema has given the assurance that his leadership of the party is not under threat. He was convicted on multiple firearms-related charges, including unlawfully possessing and discharging a firearm at a 2018 rally. Sentencing for aggravation and mitigation of sentence has been set for April. Giving the closing remarks at the EFF’s second plenum in Boksburg on Sunday, Malema said even if he is removed from Parliament, he will continue to lead the party:

# The Department of Health has urged South Africans to remain calm amid concerns over a possible Nipah virus outbreak. The zoonotic virus spreads from animals such as bats, contaminated food, or person-to-person contact. Health spokesperson Foster Mohale said South Africa is not affected, the risk is low, and there is no need to panic. He stressed that the National Institute for Communicable Diseases is monitoring the situation closely and has updated laboratory resources to track the virus, should it appear locally.

# The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa has announced that national spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi‑Majola has resigned with immediate effect, citing death threats linked to her role in the union. The resignation comes amid growing tensions around labour issues and union activities, though details of the threats have not been made public. The union confirmed her departure amid growing concerns. Hlubi-Majola is known for her stance on workers’ rights in South Africa. Her replacement is yet to be announced.

# Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile has warned that slow capital spending and rising debt could undermine service delivery if not urgently addressed. He gave an update on municipal finances for the first half of the 2025-2026 financial year. Maile says as of December 2025, the province’s municipalities owed 165.7-billion-rand. He says households accounted for the largest share at 73.3-percent, followed by commercial entities at 23.2-percent and government departments at three-percent:

# Israel says it is terminating the humanitarian operations in Gaza of Doctors Without Borders, known by its French acronym MSF. This is over its refusal to provide a list of its Palestinian staff. In December, Israel announced it would prevent 37 aid organisations from working in Gaza for failing to provide documents about their local and international workers. Israel claimed some in MSF had links to armed groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad. MSF has cited concerns for staff safety and a lack of assurances over how the information would be used.

# Rugby: The Blitzboks finished in fourth place at the Singapore Sevens after a narrow 14-12 defeat to New Zealand in the third-place playoff on Sunday. Both sides scored two tries, but one unsuccessful conversion determined the result. This comes after South Africa had lost 12-5 against France in the semifinals. Fiji were crowned champions after edging out France 21-12. In the women’s competition, New Zealand beat fierce rivals Australia 36-7 in the final. The World Rugby Sevens Series is heading to Perth, Australia, this weekend.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-18-cents and the euro at 19-rand-21-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-15-cents and Bitcoin trades at 77-thousand-587-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-726-dollars-36-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 66-dollars-76-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….