News 15:00

BULLETIN 18 February 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# AfriForum serves a summons over the constitutionality of the National Health Insurance Act
# Shadrack Sibiya claims public humiliation by the MK Party at the Madlanga commission
# And cricket: Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign is described as shambolic

# AfriForum has served a summons on president Cyril Ramaphosa and Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi, challenging the constitutionality of the National Health Insurance Act. Spokesperson Louis Boshoff announced the move in Kempton Park, Gauteng, arguing the law limits provincial powers, patient choice and clinical independence. He emphasises the NHI framework is economically unworkable and wants the act declared invalid and referred back to Parliament for reconsideration:

# Suspended deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has told the Madlanga commission he was publicly humiliated after the MK Party opened a criminal case against him. He says he was forced to account before Parliament’s ad hoc committee that included MK members, despite their complaint against him. Sibiya alleges he faced repeated attacks and degrading questions, arguing the process undermined his dignity and fairness:

# The Free State High Court in Bloemfontein has ruled that former premier Ace Magashule’s former assistant, Moroadi Cholota, will stand trial. Her special plea to be exempted from the 255-million-rand asbestos roof removal corruption case was dismissed. Judge Phillip Loubser says the decision clears the way for proceedings against Cholota in connection with the high-profile corruption case, which has drawn significant attention in the province and nationwide:

# The Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority has welcomed a 38.2-million-rand European Union investment to strengthen skills for South Africa’s critical minerals and battery economy. The funding, awarded under the EU Global Gateway programme and led by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, will align vocational training with industry demand. Acting CEO Robyn Vilakazi says industrial growth depends on a work-ready labour force. The initiative supports the just transition and expands youth access to sustainable green economy jobs.

# Cricket: Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign had been described as shambolic after the 2021 champion was eliminated in the group stage. They could only win one of their first three group matches, with Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe advancing from Group B. Australia was impaired by the absence of veteran bowlers Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, while captain Mitchell Marsh also missed the first two games. The Australian describes their pace attack as a shadow of former glory, and also criticises the selectors.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-98-cents and the euro at 18-rand-92-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-70-cents and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-400-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-915-dollars-98-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-6-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….