News 12:00

BULLETIN 4 February 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# John Steenhuisen resigns as DA leader
# An investigation is launched following an aircraft crash in Midrand
# And rugby: The Blitzboks’ Ryan Oosthuizen says they will bounce back in Perth

# DA leader John Steenhuisen will not seek a third term to lead the party. His announcement comes ahead of this year’s local government elections. Speaking from KwaZulu-Natal, Steenhuisen confirmed he will remain minister of Agriculture. He will hand over in April, saying he is leaving the party stronger in government. Steenhuisen describes his leadership mission as accomplished, saying the DA is positioned for future growth:

# The GOOD Party in Cape Town calls on police and all relevant law enforcement agencies to conduct an exhaustive and urgent investigation into the murder of ANC councillor Lazola Gungxe. He was reportedly attacked in his office at the New Crossroads Hall in Nyanga yesterday. GOOD’s Jonathan Cupido says this was a brutal and senseless act that has shaken the community Gungxe served, and local government:

# A light aircraft crashed into the garden of a private property in Glen Austin in Midrand, Gauteng, this morning. Emergency services are responding near Carstenhof hospital, though the hospital was not impacted. The South African Civil Aviation Authority says investigations are underway. Authorities have warned the public to avoid the area as helicopter pilots may make emergency landings. No confirmed details of injuries have been released.

# Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, has increased the national minimum wage rates for 2026, effective from the 1st of March. In line with recommendations from the National Minimum Wage Council at the end of 2025, the minimum wage has been increased by five-percent, taking the rate from 28-rand-79-cents to 30-rand-23-cents for each ordinary hour worked. Meth says excluded from this national minimum wage increase are Expanded Public Works Programme workers, who are employed under a special dispensation.

# Rugby: Springbok Sevens player Ryan Oosthuizen says they are confident they will put on a better performance in the Perth Sevens this weekend. The Blitzboks finished fourth in Singapore last weekend. South Africa is in Pool A alongside Spain, Fiji, and Argentina. Oosthuizen, who will play in his 60th World Series tournament, says he is pleased with the outcomes of all the team’s discussions, mainly focusing on responsibilities and standards:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-93-cents and the euro at 18-rand-85-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-86-cents and Bitcoin trades at 76-thousand-383-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-and-84-dollars-81-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-44-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….