News 18:00

BULLETIN 26 February 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Cabinet reports progress in the fight against violent crime despite concerns over police killings
# Cosatu is concerned by the latest developments at the Ekapa Mine
# And, the ANC Ekurhuleni regional secretary Jongizizwe Dlabathi resigns amid party tensions

# Cabinet says the latest crime statistics show steady progress in the fight against violent crime, with fewer murders and a decline in overall contact crimes nationwide. However, it has raised concerns about the rising number of police officers being killed. The minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, told the media president Cyril Ramaphosa has tasked police leadership with assessing the circumstances around these killings and strengthening measures to protect officers:

# Union federation Cosatu has expressed concern at the turn of events at Ekapa Mine in Kimberley in the Northern Cape, following the company’s decision to apply for liquidation. This as the five miners, who went missing after a mud rush at the mine last week Tuesday, are presumed dead, with recovery efforts continuing. Cosatu’s spokesperson, Zanele Sabela, says they are demanding a thorough investigation into this incident:

# The ANC has confirmed the resignation of its Ekurhuleni regional secretary and mayoral committee member for Finance, Jongizizwe Dlabathi, citing differences with mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza. The move follows a recent reshuffle filling former EFF positions with ANC councillors. Dlabathi says his resignation, effective tomorrow, is in the party’s best interests. His exit comes amid the finalisation of the mayor’s executive team. He has been hailed for being the engine room of the organisation in Ekurhuleni.

# At least 46 people have been killed in devastating floods which hit the southeastern Brazilian state of ‌Minas Gerais, while thousands have been displaced. According to the state fire department 21 people remain ‌missing while about three-thousand-600 people have been displaced by flooding and landslides in the cities of Juiz de Fora and Uba. The two cities are about 110 kilometres apart and some 310 kilometres north of Rio de Janeiro. Brazil’s federal government has sped up relief and humanitarian aid to the region, sending health agents and national defence professionals.

# Tennis: The ATX Open women’s tournament in Austin, Texas has unveiled a so-called rage room where players can take out their frustrations away from the cameras. This follows Coco Gauff’s outburst at the Australian Open last month that sparked a debate about players’ privacy at tournaments. The American repeatedly smashed her racket on the ground in the match call area after her quarterfinal loss to Ukrainian Elina Svitolina at Melbourne Park, unaware it was being broadcast to viewers around the world.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-91-cents against the rand and the euro at 18-rand-79-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-55-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-35-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-152-dollars-71-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 69-dollars-73-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….