News 13:00

BULLETIN 28 February 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ekapa Mine begins with the body retrieval of five miners today
# The flood damage at the Kruger National Park nears 600-million-rand
# And cricket: The Proteas Women will face Pakistan in the final ODI in Durban tomorrow

# Ekapa’s Du Toitspan Joint Shaft diamond mine in Kimberley, Northern Cape, has today begun efforts to retrieve five miners trapped 890-metres underground following last week’s mud rush. Mineral and Petroleum Resources minister Gwede Mantashe visited the mine says dewatering is complete and teams are clearing debris. He urged intensified recovery efforts and criticised liquidation plans affecting one-thousand workers, calling it bad faith during a disaster:

# The Azanian People’s Organisation has warned the Department of Agriculture over its slow approach to the Foot-and-Mouth-Disease outbreak. AZAPO notes one-million vaccine doses have been allocated, but subsistence, dairy, and beef farmers remain at risk. The organisation urges minister John Steenhuisen to broaden the task team, implement strict livestock movement controls, and ensure transparent, efficient use of funds to protect farmers and preserve livestock nationwide. Steenhuisen joined a mass vaccination drive in KwaZulu-Natal today in a bid to curb the spread of the disease.

# Private security company owner Calvin Mathibeli has been ordered by the High Court in Durban to retract statements made against KwaZulu-Natal Police commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mathibeli accused him of corruption, abuse of power, public intimidation, taking protection fees from taxi owners, and unlawful conduct. Mathibeli has 60-days to approach media platforms where the claims were aired and issue retractions. The ruling follows a defamation case filed by Mkhwanazi, who argues the allegations damaged his reputation and that of the KZN police.

# Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, says floods at Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga have caused damages estimated between 500-and-600-million-rand based on assumptions. An aerial survey initially placed losses at 650-million-rand, with confirmed infrastructure damage now at about 490-million-rand. Aucamp warns tourism disruptions could push multi-million-rand income losses as several camps remain closed:

# And finally, sports news:

# Soccer: Banyana Banyana are through to the 2025 COSAFA Women’s Championship final after defeating Zimbabwe 4-2 on penalties in Polokwane. The match ended 1-1 in regulation time, with Nthabiseng Majiya equalising Ethel Chinyerere’s early strike. Goalkeeper Casey Gordon was the hero, saving two penalties to secure South Africa’s victory. In the other semi-final, Namibia upset defending champions Zambia 1-0. Banyana Banyana will now face Namibia in Sunday’s final for the regional title.

# And cricket: The Proteas Women and Pakistan face off in the third and final one-day match in Durban tomorrow. South Africa already clinched the series by winning the first two matches in Bloemfontein and Centurion, respectively. This followed after the hostesses won the T20 series 2-1. After tomorrow, the Proteas travel to New Zealand for five T20s and three ODIs from 15 March until 4 April. The tour will be the final preparation for the T20 World Cup in England, starting in June.

Stay tuned for more news………….