News 13:00

BULLETIN 14 February 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A TRC Commission witness demands accountability for noncompliance
# Putin pledges his support to repatriate the 17 men involved in the  Ukraine war
# And cricket: Aiden Markram warns that every delivery counts after the Proteas’ Super Over drama

# A second witness at the Truth and Reconciliation Cases Commission, Lukhanyo Calata, says individuals obstructing the inquiry must be compelled to appear and testify. Calata accused the government of deliberately failing to address the matter, undermining the commission’s work. He stressed that without enforcing attendance and accountability, the truth-seeking process is compromised, and justice is delayed for the cases under review:

# Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged support for efforts to repatriate 17 South African men caught up in the Russia-Ukraine war. President Cyril Ramaphosa held talks with Putin, with both leaders committing to ongoing diplomatic engagements to secure their return. The men were allegedly lured to Russia under false pretences and recruited into military service. Families have appealed for urgent intervention, while the Hawks investigate possible violations of South Africa’s Foreign Military Assistance Act.

# Police have arrested a female suspect following the alleged murder of an e-hailing driver in Pretoria West on Wednesday. Spokesperson Mavela Masondo says the victim was attacked by a man and a woman who requested a ride on Wednesday. The video shows a woman in a bucket hat and a white t-shirt in the front seat, while a man sat behind and assaulted the driver. Masonso says more arrests are expected:

# Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday awarded the Order of Freedom to an Olympic skeleton racer who was disqualified from the Winter Games for wearing a helmet commemorating athletes killed in the war with Russia. Zelenskiy told Vladyslav Heraskevych on the sidelines of the annual Munich Security Conference that he had great respect for all the Olympians who supported him and his position. The 27-year-old Heraskevych was disqualified at the Winter Games in Italy on Thursday after a ruling that the helmet breached rules on political neutrality.

# And finally, sports news:

# Soccer: MC Alger coach Rhulani Mokwena has strongly rejected claims that he colluded with Mamelodi Sundowns analyst Mario Masha to access tactical information ahead of today’s CAF Champions League clash. Speaking at Loftus Versfeld, Mokwena said the conversations with Masha were professional, unrelated to Sundowns’ current strategies, and included European coaching insights. He emphasised his integrity and condemned the invasion of Masha’s privacy linked to the allegations:

# And cricket:  South Africa skipper Aiden Markram on Friday said his bowlers need to be sharper against New Zealand after their Super Over escapes at the T20 World Cup, because every delivery counts. The winners of the Group D match between the two unbeaten sides later today in Ahmedabad will be the first to be guaranteed a place in the Super Eights. South Africa, the runners-up two years ago, needed two super overs to beat Afghanistan. Markram stressed the importance of winning smaller moments in the game and called for a more clinical performance from his bowlers.

Stay tuned for more news………….