News 06:00

BULLETIN 20 February 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says broad-based black economic empowerment is under review
# King Charles the Third says the law must take its course
# And rugby: A place among the top eight in the United Rugby Championships is on offer at Ellis Park tomorrow

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the government is reviewing the broad-based black economic empowerment framework to make it more effective in promoting inclusive growth. The aim is to create more opportunities for black-owned and women-led businesses, reduce inequality, and ensure more South Africans benefit from economic growth. In his state of the nation address debate, Ramaphosa said the review will help strengthen economic inclusion and support sustainable growth:

Ramaphosa has also called on all South Africans to work together to fight poverty and unemployment. He said the government has made progress in stabilising the economy, ending load-shedding, and creating jobs for young people. However, he acknowledged that millions of people remain unemployed and living in poverty:

# The suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has told the Madlanga commission in Pretoria that he never received any kickbacks from alleged criminal kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. Sibiya said he met Matlala several times but insisted they were not friends and that he never accepted any bribes or benefits. He denied all corruption allegations and said any suggestion otherwise is false:

# The State has flagged numerous inconsistencies in the testimony of confessed killer Amber Lee Hughes. The 26-year-old was found guilty in August last year of sexually assaulting and then drowning her former partner, Elie Challita’s four-year-old daughter, Nada Jane Challita. During cross-examination at the Johannesburg High Court, State prosecutor advocate Rolene Barnard pointed out that messages Hughes sent to Challita contradicted her testimony about alleged abuse in the relationship. The defence is set to re-examine Hughes today.

# King Charles the Third has issued a statement saying he learned with the deepest concern of the arrest of his younger brother and stressed that the law must take its course. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Police previously reviewed allegations that a woman was trafficked to the UK by Jeffrey Epstein to have a sexual encounter with Mountbatten-Windsor, and claims that he shared sensitive information with Epstein while serving as trade envoy. Attorneys for Epstein’s victims meanwhile, said the arrest may restore faith for those who believed justice was unreachable.

# Rugby: A place among the top eight of the United Rugby Championship is on offer when the Lions host the Sharks in Johannesburg tomorrow. The Sharks are currently ninth on the log and the Lions tenth. A victory for the visitors will see them clinch the South African shield with one local derby remaining, while the Lions will reduce the six points between the teams and remain in contention if they win. Third-placed Stormers and seventh-place Bulls are not in action this weekend.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-13-cents and the euro at 18-rand-99-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-72-cents and Bitcoin trades at 66-thousand-739-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-999-dollars-38-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 71-dollars-47-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….