News 08:00

BULLETIN 7 February 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Commissioner Fannie Masemola says disciplinary investigations are underway for the officers named at the Madlanga commission
# Donald Trump condemns a racist video of the Obamas but refuses to apologise
# And cricket: Pakistan and the Netherlands kick off the T20 World Cup in Colombo today

# National police commissioner Fannie Masemola says disciplinary investigations have been launched against several police officers named in evidence at the Madlanga commission and the parliamentary ad hoc committee. One officer has already been suspended, while the others are being considered for suspension. Masemola told the media a task team has been set up to review evidence and recommend disciplinary action, showing the police ministry is taking steps to hold officers accountable:

# Trade union Solidarity says 233 workers face uncertainty as British American Tobacco South Africa has failed to provide clear answers about possible retrenchments. This follows the planned closure of the company’s Heidelberg manufacturing plant in Gauteng. The union says workers are caught between the government’s failure to curb the illicit tobacco trade and a consultation process that lacks transparency. Solidarity’s Dana Grové also fears the closure decision may already have been made abroad:

# O.R. Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Gauteng, says it’s making good progress on its 14.5-billion-rand upgrade programme aimed at improving the passenger experience. The work includes new seating, improved signage, refurbished escalators, upgraded boarding areas, and enhanced toilet facilities, all based on passenger feedback. Airport manager Jabu Khambule says phase one of the toilet upgrades will be completed by March next year, with more work planned from July this year. Khambule added the upgrades will improve comfort, safety, and efficiency for travellers.

# The DA in the Western Cape says all levels of government must work together to respond quickly to disasters and protect communities. The party has welcomed the national government’s declaration of the ongoing drought as a national disaster, which will unlock resources for farmers, local governments, and residents struggling with water shortages. The DA’s Dave Bryant also called for urgent action to classify this summer’s wildfires as a disaster:

#  US President Donald Trump condemned a video posted on his social media account depicting Democratic former president Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama as apes, after it drew widespread criticism. The White House first defended the post, then deleted it early yesterday, 12 hours after it appeared. The minute-long video shared on Trump’s Truth Social network amplified false claims that his 2020 election defeat was the result of fraud. Spliced into the video near its end was a brief, and apparently AI-generated, clip of dancing primates superimposed with the Obamas’ heads.

# And cricket: Pakistan and the Netherlands kick off the T20 World Cup in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo this morning. This is one of three matches scheduled for the opening day. The other two see Scotland and the West Indies doing battle at Eden Gardens in the Indian city of Kolkata, and India and America facing off in Wankhede. South Africa meets Canada, Afghanistan, New Zealand, and the United Arab Emirates in its group matches, starting against Canada in Ahmedabad, India, on Monday.

Stay tuned for more news………….