News 11:00

BULLETIN 2 February 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Constitutional law expert Pierre de Vos says an inquiry into Iran’s role in South Africa’s naval drill could be unlawful
# Minister Steenhuisen warns court cases could derail the procurement of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines
# And rugby: The Blitzboks coach hopes for improvements in Perth

# Constitutional law expert Pierre de Vos says the board of inquiry established to investigate Iran’s participation in South Africa’s naval exercise may be invalid under the Defence Act. Minister of Defence Angie Motshekga has appointed retired Judge Bernard Ngoepe to lead the investigation with the assistance of retired judges Monica Leeuw and Kathleen Satchwell, and Navy officer Patrick Duze. In an opinion piece for News24, De Vos says the act does not allow anyone not employed by the Defence Department to serve on its boards of inquiry.

# Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen has warned that court cases could derail the urgent procurement and rollout of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines. Sakeliga, Saai, and Free State Agriculture have launched legal action demanding that livestock owners be allowed to administer vaccines privately. Steenhuisen says this legal venture is most unfortunate as it seeks to attack the Animal Diseases Act, under which the state is about to procure vaccines:

# The Gauteng government has expressed concern at the DA’s latest threat to seek a legal review of the Traffic Warden’s Peace Officers’ declaration process. The party has accused premier Panyaza Lesufi’s government of repeatedly cutting corners in its attempts to legalise the appointment of the wardens, known as AmaPanyaza. The provincial government’s spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga, says the wardens being officially declared peace officers will enhance their ability to perform specific law enforcement functions:

# Rugby: Springbok Sevens coach Philip Snyman says the lack of decision-making and clinical finishing were the biggest disappointments in their performance in the Singapore Sevens at the weekend. The Blitzboks lost to France in the semifinals and then to New Zealand in the third-place playoff to finish fourth. Snyman says there are several areas where they did not meet their usual high standards, which they will look to rectify in Perth:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-44-cents and the euro at 19-rand-26-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-22-cents and Bitcoin trades at 76-thousand-561-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-541-dollars-25-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 65-dollars-94-cents a barrel.

# And finally: South African singer Tyla has won her second Grammy Award in three years, clinching the Best African Music Performance category for her hit single Push 2 Start. The 24-year-old megastar won the same award in 2024 for her hit song Water. Meanwhile, Kendrick Lamar, who had the most nominations with nine, won five, becoming the most-awarded rapper in Grammy history. Bad Bunny took home three awards, including Album of the Year. Billie Eilish won Song of the Year for Wildflower, while Olivia Dean clinched the Best New Artist award.

Stay tuned for more news………….