News 12:00

BULLETIN 25 February 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The MK Party demands full transparency on the withdrawal of a murder charge against Brown Mokgotsi
# A foot-and-mouth-disease case is confirmed in the Mossel Bay area in the Southern Cape
# And rugby: Rassie Erasmus says the match against the Barbarians is the ideal preparation for the clash with England

# The MK Party is calling on the police and the National Prosecuting Authority to provide a full and transparent explanation on the withdrawal of a murder charge against Brown Mogotsi. The controversial North West businessman testified before Parliament’s ad hoc committee he had killed a man during a physical altercation. Despite his admission, the resulting charges were eventually withdrawn. The MK Party says a murder charge is not a minor administrative matter that can simply evaporate without consequence or explanation.

# A part-time lecturer at Tshwane University of Technology was killed near the south campus in Soshanguve, Pretoria, last night. Ward councillor Kholofelo Mashapa says the victim was forcibly removed from his home and attacked by several people, allegedly linked to accusations of the rape of two children. Police have opened an investigation and urge the community to let the law take its course. No arrests have been made.

# The Garden Route District Municipaity in the Western Cape says food-and-mouth disease was confirmed at a heifer farm 21-kilometre north of the index farm in the Mossel Bay area. Spokesperson Herman Pieters says calves from the index farm had been moved to this property on Saturday. He says all livestock on the affected farm, as well as on a neighbouring farm, have since been vaccinated:

Moving abroad:

# US president Donald Trump claims Iran is working on missiles capable of striking the country. He delivered his state of the union address to a joint session of Congress, setting the record for the longest speech, clocking in at almost one-hour-and-50-minutes. Trump reiterated his preference for a diplomatic deal, but drew a red line, saying Iran can never have a nuclear weapon:

# Rugby: Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus says playing against the Barbarians in Gqeberha in June to kick-start their Test season will be an ideal opportunity to get the players match-ready. The game will be played two weeks before the Boks’ inaugural Nations Championship match against England at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. Erasmus says the key for his team will be to focus on structures and what they want to achieve on the field. He adds the sooner they get into a Test mindset, the better.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-89-cents and the euro at 18-rand-75-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-48-cents and Bitcoin trades at 65-thousand-188-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-191-dollars-35-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 70-dollars-69-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….