News 18:00

BULLETIN 16 February 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ekurhuleni fully suspends Kemi Behari and Linda Gxasheka amid Madlanga Commission probe
# Standard Bank and UNISA launch one-million-rand climate loss and damage research programme
# And cricket, the Proteas walk into the Super Eight after Afghanistan beat the UAE

# The City of Ekurhuleni has fully suspended Metro Head of Legal Services, Kemi Behari, and the Head of Human Resources, Linda Gxasheka. The duo has been placed on precautionary suspension with full pay late last year. The move follows testimonies at the Madlanga Commission regarding the handling of disciplinary processes linked to suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi. Behari is also accused of being part of a group that blocked action against Mkhwanazi in a blue light scandal involving controversial businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala.

# Standard Bank has partnered with the University of South Africa to fund a climate change-induced loss and damage research programme with one-million-rand over the next year. Anchored in UNISA’s Institute for Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship and co-created with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, the programme will generate policy-relevant evidence, and support community-level solutions. It will also build local capacity, and enable South African researchers to link climate science with social policy and budgeting for practical adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

# Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has called for accountability following a learner transport crash on the N4 Eastbound near Atteridgeville, Tshwane, involving a 9-seater Toyota Condor carrying 17 learners. The driver, operating without a valid licence, collided with a Mercedes-Benz. All learners were hospitalised with injuries, but no fatalities occurred. Department spokesperson Lesiba Mpya calls for accountability, and intensified law enforcement by the Gauteng Transport Inspectorate:

# Former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta says progress is being made in efforts to restore peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kenyatta, who is facilitating the process, confirmed discussions are advancing ahead of an Angola-mediated ceasefire with the M23 group set to begin tomorrow. Speaking at the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia he says the agreement aims to halt fighting in eastern DRC:

# Cricket: Afghanistan’s victory over the United Arab Emirates handed South Africa a place in the Super Eight of the T20 World Cup. Afghanistan charged down the target of 161 with five wickets left and still has a chance to advance at Canada’s cost. The undefeated Proteas are currently top of Group D and play UAE in their final group match on Wednesday. Co-hosts India and the West Indies are the other teams who have already qualified for the next phase, which will start on Saturday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-95-cents and the euro at 18-rand-92-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-75-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-450-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-994-dollars-41-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-62-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….