News 16:00

BULLETIN 19 February 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A shooting incident is reported at the Hyde Park home of Mugabe’s son
# Malusi Gigaba is denied Legal Aid in the Transnet corruption case
# And motorsport: Lewis Hamilton is satisfied with his new Ferrari after test runs

# A shooting has been reported at the home of the son of late former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, Bellarmine Mugabe, in Hyde Park, Johannesburg. Reports indicate an employee of the family was shot following a dispute and is in critical condition. Medical personnel are treating the victim, while police remain on the scene investigating the incident.

# Former Public Enterprises minister Malusi Gigaba has been denied Legal Aid as his Transnet corruption trial was formally placed on the roll for pre-trial hearing at the High Court in Johannesburg on 8 May. He appeared alongside co-accused Anoj Singh, Siyabonga Gama, Thamsanqa Jiyane, and Brian Molefe. Investigating Directorate Against Corruption spokesperson Henry Mamothame confirms to SABC News the trial will proceed with extensive data disclosures:

# The DA in Limpopo says clear communication with farmers and faster action are essential to contain the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. The party has called on the provincial Agriculture Department to improve coordination, address veterinary staff shortages and speed up vaccine rollout. The DA’s Marie Helm says farmers need clear guidance on livestock movement permits and access to veterinary support to help prevent further spread of the disease.

# Motorsport: Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari’s new Formula One car has his DNA within it as the seven-time world champion put it through its paces during the second pre-season test in Bahrain. He was seventh-fastest and managed 44 laps. Hamilton says he has been able to be part of the car’s development on the simulator for the last 10 months, and adds he is entering the new season in a positive frame of mind. The F1 season kicks off in Melbourne on the eighth of next month.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-18-cents and the euro at 19-rand-6-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-79-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-606-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-988-dollars-97-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 70-dollars-85-cents a barrel.

# And finally: President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to pioneering Palestinian diplomat Leila Shahid, who has died at 76. She was the first female ambassador of Palestine. Shahid worked closely with the late long-serving political leader, Yasser Arafat, and campaigned for Palestinian freedom and statehood for decades. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, says her leadership and vision for a free Palestine will continue to inspire global solidarity:

Stay tuned for more news………….