News 15:00

BULLETIN 11 February 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A forensic investigator flags the misuse of the police slush fund
# Thoko Didiza affirms Parliament’s readiness ahead of the state of the nation address
# And cricket: South Africa beats Afghanistan in the second super over in Ahmedabad

# Forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan told Parliament’s ad hoc committee the police’s Secret Service Account, also known as the slush fund, intended to pay informants for criminal intelligence, has been mismanaged. He questioned KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkwanazi’s role in handling informants without security clearance. O’Sullivan highlights rampant internal battles over the fund, noting it grew from 98-million-rand in 2012–2013 to 600-million-rand, a 500-percent increase, with little accountability:

# National Assembly speaker Thoko Didiza says Parliament is fully prepared for tomorrow’s state of the nation address. She highlighted that logistical arrangements, security protocols, and coordination with government departments are in place to ensure a smooth and orderly event. Didiza emphasised the importance of productive debate and adherence to parliamentary rules. She calls on members of Parliament to engage constructively and support efforts to strengthen governance and public service delivery:

# Communications and Digital Technologies minister Solly Malatsi has confirmed the service provider appointed to review the SABC’s funding model has completed stakeholder engagements and its work. This includes an engagement with Parliament’s Communications portfolio committee last week. Malatsi confirmed to Newzroom Afrika the final report outlining several funding options is expected soon for consultation, including with Finance minister Enoch Godongwana, before determining the most viable option:

Moving abroad:

# The number of people who died after an assailant opened fire at a high school in Western Canada has risen to ten, including the alleged attacker. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police say six people were found dead inside a high school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, and two more people at a nearby residence. Another person died on the way to hospital, and the attacker reportedly committed suicide. It has been described as one of the country’s deadliest mass casualty shooting in recent history.

# Cricket: South Africa beat Afghanistan Africa by four runs in a dramatic T20 World Cup Group D match in Ahmedabad, India. The encounter was only decided in the second super over after both teams scored 187 in regulation time, and 17 in the first super over. The Proteas reached 187 for six after half-centuries by Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock. Afghanistan was bowled out for 187. In the second additional over, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs smashed 23 runs, and Keshav Maharaj restricted Afghanistan to 19 runs.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-84-cents and the euro at 18-rand-87-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-70-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-987-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-106-dollars-85-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 69-dollars-37-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….