News 11:00

BULLETIN 7 February 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Parliament responds to the DA’s allegations of abuse of power and maladministration
# Cosatu warns that local industries must be shielded in the new economic partnership with China
# And rugby: The Blitzboks achieve two convincing victories at the HSBC Sevens tournament in Perth

# Parliament says it remains open to address matters of concern raised by any political party through the appropriate parliamentary processes. Parliament was responding to a media statement by the DA regarding allegations of maladministration and abuse of power. The party submitted a 393-page dossier probing Secretary to Parliament Xolile George’s rapid salary escalation, amongst others. Spokesperson Moloto Mothapo says it would have been appropriate for the DA to raise these concerns within the Parliament Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management:

# Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen says the Botswana Vaccine Institute has confirmed the supply of 700-thousand doses of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine by the end of this month. Steenhuisen visited the Agricultural Research Council Onderstepoort Veterinary Research facility to witness the finalisation of the first batch of locally produced FMD vaccines. He says through the Botswana Vaccine Institute, South Africa has already acquired, monitored, and administered two million vaccines to date. The minister says South Africa will receive monthly supplies of 700-thousand doses in April, May, and June.

# Union federation Cosatu says it is cautious about South Africa’s new economic partnership agreement with China. The federation welcomes the potential for expanded trade and investment but warns that safeguards must be in place to protect local jobs, businesses, and industries. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks says next month’s deadline for the early harvest agreement may not allow enough time for full consultation with labour and business:

# Eskom says the power system continues to demonstrate sustained stability, underpinned by consistent progress through the generation recovery plan and improvements in the energy availability factor to secure South Africa’s long-term energy future. The power utility spokesperson Daphne Mokwena says the energy availability factor has further increased to 65.03-percent for the financial year to date:

#  U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators have discussed an ambitious March goal for Russia and Ukraine to agree on a peace deal. Reuters quotes three sources familiar with the matter that the timeline is likely to slip, given a lack of agreement on the key issue of territory. Under the framework being discussed by U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators, any deal would be submitted to a referendum by Ukrainian voters, who would simultaneously vote in national elections.

# And rugby: The Blitzboks ignited their HSBC Sevens campaign in Perth with two commanding victories, securing an early spot in the knockout stages. South Africa opened with a clinical 33–14 win over Spain, highlighted by a debut try from teenage star Luan Giliomee. They maintained that momentum in their second Pool A clash, overpowering Argentina 19-12 to remain unbeaten. Coach Philip Snyman praised the team’s defensive grit and clinical finishing, setting up a high-stakes series finale against Fiji later this afternoon to determine the top seed.

Stay tuned for more news………….