News 17:00

BULLETIN 11 February 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomes the launch of the Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy at Drakenstein
# Saai criticises the removal of a foot-and-mouth disease expert
# And rugby: Four members of the Springboks’ junior world champions team are retained for the tour of Georgia

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the Drakenstein Correctional Facility enters a new chapter with the launch of the Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy. Speaking in the Western Cape, Ramaphosa highlighted that the facility embodies Madiba’s legacy of service, leadership, and respect for human dignity. He emphasised that the academy follows UN Standard Minimum Rules for the treatment of prisoners, including promoting fair, humane treatment and reinforcing justice measured by dignity:

# Saai has criticised the removal of a foot and mouth disease expert, Danie Odendaal, from a ministerial task team, warning it could weaken efforts to control outbreaks. The agricultural organisation’s Theo De Jager says specialist knowledge is vital to protect livestock and safeguard the agricultural economy. He calls on the Department of Agriculture to clarify the decision and ensure disease management programmes remain effective and properly supported:

# Eastern Cape Transport MEC Xolile Nqatha has expressed sadness after seven people, including a child, died in an accident on the N2 near Bhisho outside Qonce. Earlier today, a Toyota Hilux collided with a Mercedes-Benz before crashing into a Nissan Navara. Five people in the Hilux and two in the Navara died, while two Mercedes occupants were hospitalised. Transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose says a culpable homicide case has been opened:

# Russia has launched a drone attack on Ukraine overnight. Ukrainian sources say 112 drones were shot down, with strikes recorded at eight locations. Four members of one family, including three young children, were killed in a strike at Bohodukhiv. Russia also attacked a railway station in the Dnipropetrovsk region early this morning. Meanwhile Ukraine has launched an attack on the southern Russian region of Volgograd overnight. Ukraine has been targeting Russia’s oil industry and energy infrastructure to reduce earnings which continue to fuel its war efforts.

# Rugby: Four members of the Junior Springbok squad that won last year’s Junior World Championship were retained in coach Kevin Foote’s group of 31 for a tour of three matches in Georgia. They are lock Riley Norton, who captained the team, loosehead props Ollie Reid and Rambo Kubheka, and hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele. Several of the current players will still be eligible for next year’s championship. The touring squad departs for Eastern Europe on Sunday and returns on the 28th.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-88-cents and the euro at 18-rand-89-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-72-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-880-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-85-dollars-18-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 69-dollars-91-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….