News 07:00

BULLETIN 4 February 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Madlanga Commission says Suliman Carrim’s court application is an abuse of process
# Grain SA warns local wheat is under threat
# And, minister Groenewald wants an independent probe into the challenges at Western Cape prisons

# Businessman Suliman Carrim will know tomorrow whether he must appear before the Madlanga Commission. This comes after the Gauteng High Court reserved judgment in his urgent application to block his appearance at the commission, arguing that procedural irregularities, not delay tactics, prompted the urgent application. The commission’s spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, told Newzroom Afrika that Carrim’s application is an abuse of process:

# Grain SA says the wheat industry is facing a structural crisis that threatens the survival of producers, future planting, and long-term food security. Rising input costs, subsidised imports, delayed tariffs, and unresponsive policies are making wheat farming economically unsustainable. Grain SA CEO Tobias Doyer calls for urgent intervention, including timely tariff implementation, better input cost management, and policy certainty. Doyer warns that without coordinated action, local wheat production and rural livelihoods could be permanently harmed.

# Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald has proposed an independent commission of inquiry to investigate serious issues in Western Cape correctional facilities. This comes as at least 12 officials from Goodwood Correctional Centre face disciplinary action after two inmate deaths were reported at the facility. Pollsmoor Correctional Centre was also in the spotlight last year, after an inmate was erroneously released in September. Groenewald says the persistent challenges have prompted him to seek the appointment of an independent commissioner to investigate these matters.

# Nato chief Mark Rutte says Russia’s latest attacks on Ukraine do not signal Moscow is serious about peace. On Monday evening, Russia launched a record number of ballistic missiles deliberately aimed at Kyiv’s energy infrastructure. Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky says more than 70 ballistic and cruise missiles were fired, together with 450 drones. Addressing Ukraine’s national parliament on Tuesday, Rutte said Ukraine is and will remain essential to Nato’s security:

# Cricket: Two-time champion England is under pressure in the T20 World Cup after its embarrassing Ashes series against Australia, and its poor showing in the one-day World Cup and previous T20 showpiece two years ago. The team boasts several big-name batters such as Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, and Ben Duckett, while captain Harry Brook and Tom Banton can do serious damage in the middle stages. Pundits point out a potential weakness among the pace bowlers, with Mark Wood injured and Jofra Archer just returning from injury.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-93-cents and the euro at 18-rand-84-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-83-cents and Bitcoin trades at 76-thousand-574-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-27-dollars-84-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-91-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The United Democratic Movement has acknowledged the profound impact of cancer in South Africa and globally. Marking World Cancer Day, the UDM urges awareness, prevention, early detection, treatment, and care. Highlighting the international theme United by Unique, the party calls on the government to expand screening, strengthen public health infrastructure, and ensure affordable treatment. UDM’s acting secretary general, Zandile Phiri, emphasises celebrating survivors, health workers, while urging united action against cancer:

Stay tuned for more news………….