News 07:00

BULLETIN 16 February 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Steenhuisen says government will accelerate foot and mouth disease vaccine distribution
# Israeli airstrikes kill 11 in Gaza
# And cricket: India beat Pakistan to progress to the T20 World Cup Super-8 stage

# Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen says the government will accelerate the foot-and-mouth disease vaccine rollout, in a bid to contain the outbreak and strengthen biosecurity to protect livestock and farmers. The government intends to roll out a nationwide vaccination campaign targeting the entire national herd of 14 million cattle, requiring an estimated 28 million vaccine doses. Steenhuisen, who oversaw the vaccination drive in the Western Cape on Sunday, said the aim is for South Africa to regain its internationally recognised FMD-free status it lost in 2019:

# Water and Sanitation minister, Pemmy Majodina, has warned that South Africa’s water infrastructure is in a dire state, primarily due to ageing and high water demand. The government has admitted that about 400-billion-rand will need to be spent to address the maintenance backlog in the country’s worst-performing municipalities. Speaking on the sidelines of the African Union Summit in Ethiopia, Majodina said the country’s water security is in the balance:

# Witness F, a member of the Gauteng Organised Crime unit, will resume his testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry today. He withdrew his urgent court application last week to block his appearance and to interdict the commission from displaying WhatsApp exchanges extracted from his phone, citing fears of self-incrimination. Witness F allegedly facilitated communication between alleged criminal tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya. He also allegedly collected bribe payments for Sibiya from Matlala and an alleged cartel member, Katiso “KT” Molefe.

# The Gauteng Small Bus Operators Council has confirmed that learner transport services have fully resumed across Gauteng after two weeks of disruptions. Chairperson Jabulani Khumalo has confirmed that operators received outstanding payments from the Gauteng Education Department. The resumption brings relief to about 238-thousand learners daily. He emphasised that the council remains committed to safe, reliable transport while urging faster approval of long-outstanding permit applications.

# At least 11 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes in the northern and southern Gaza Strip on Sunday in what Israel’s military called a response to Hamas ceasefire violations. Medics said an Israeli airstrike on a tent encampment housing displaced families killed at least six people, while health officials said another strike killed five in Khan Younis in the south. Israeli officials called Sunday’s strikes “precise” and in line with international law, and said Hamas violated the October ceasefire, with the intent to harm Israeli troops.

# Cricket: Co-hosts India defeated Pakistan by 61-runs in Colombo to reach the T20 World Cup Super-Eight stage. Pakistan agreed to play India after initially planning to boycott the match following Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament. India posted 175 for seven with Ishan Kishan top-scoring with 77. In reply, Pakistan’s batting order collapsed as they were bowled out for 114. Meanwhile, the West Indies cruised to a convincing nine-wicket win over Nepal to progress to the Super-Eight, while the US defeated Namibia by 31 runs to stay in the hunt.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-93-cents and the euro at 18-rand-89-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-72-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-705-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-28-dollars-16-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-24-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….