News 07:00

BULLETIN 24 February 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Lamola says South Africa is concerned about the attack on multilateralism
# The new US ambassador to South Africa, Brent Bozell, submits his credentials
# And, premier Panyaza Lesufi says they are working to fix the water challenges in Gauteng

# Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, says South Africa’s re-election to the United Nations Human Rights Council is a resounding affirmation of international confidence in the country’s leadership in the global human rights landscape. He addressed the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. Lamola says South Africa is concerned about the attack on multilateralism, the unpredictable geopolitical dynamics, and the erosion of a rules-based international order:

# The United States ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell, officially presented his letters of credence to the South African government on Monday. This marks the formal start of his tenure. Bozell handed over his letters of credence to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s acting chief of State Protocol, Clayson Monyela. At his Senate confirmation hearing in October last year, Bozell stated that he would actively push Pretoria to end its genocide case against Israel. The department says Bozell’s arrival marks a fresh chapter in the two countries’ long-standing partnership.

# AfriForum calls for a whole-of-society approach to public safety, urging acting Police minister Firoz Cachalia to witness one of its neighbourhood watch patrols. The civil rights organisation says formal cooperation between the police and community structures is essential to fight crime effectively. AfriForum’s Jacques Broodryk says working together strengthens crime prevention, improves information-sharing, and builds trust between communities and law enforcement:

# Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi reaffirmed the three national priorities as contained in the Medium-Term Development Plan, while delivering the State of the Province Address at Nasrec yesterday evening. These are driving inclusive economic growth and job creation, reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living, and building a capable, ethical, and developmental State. Lesufi emphasised that the province’s water crisis is not a challenge of water availability, but of the interruptions caused by infrastructure failures, leaks, and high-demand peaks:

# An 18-year-old from Maun in Botswana has been sentenced to six strokes of corporal punishment by the Maun Customary Court after being convicted of using insulting language on social media. Letsema Sephute appeared before the court, where he was found guilty of the Penal Code. The ruling sends a clear message about the legal consequences of online behaviour deemed harmful or insulting in Botswana. Sephute’s sentencing marks one of the harsher penalties imposed for social media-related offences in Botswana in recent months.

# Rugby: Ireland’s head coach, Andy Farrell, describes the potential in his squad as huge after they annihilated England in a Six Nations clash at Twickenham on Saturday. They won 42-21 after very few supporters and experts gave them a chance. This put them squarely back in the running for the title after losing to New Zealand and South Africa in November and France early this month. Farrell is also pleased with the performance of his more experienced players after questions about their form.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-1-cents and the euro at 18-rand-86-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-59-cents and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-510-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-167-dollars-95-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 71-dollars-5-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….