News 07:00

BULLETIN 27 January 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

# As a result of four generation units being taken out of service overnight, Stage 2 loadshedding has been implemented at 05:00 this morning until further notice. Eskom will communicate should any significant changes occur.

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa urges Israel to halt the human tragedy unfolding in Gaza
# Netanyahu rejects the International Court of Justice’s decision on Israel’s defence
# And, cricket: The Super Giants top the SA20 log after a bonus-point win over the Paarl Royals 

# President Cyril Ramphosa says the International Court of Justice’s ruling against Israel is a victory for international law, and justice for the Palestinian people. The president welcomed the provisional measures ordered by the court, seeking to protect the human rights of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The landmark ruling has determined that Israel’s actions in Gaza are plausibly genocidal. Briefing the media, Ramaphosa has said the provisional measures are directly binding Israel to halt the human tragedy unfolding in Gaza:

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has also urged Israel to comply with the court’s ordered provisional measures. In response to the landmark ruling, recognising potential genocide in Gaza, the government expressed gratitude for the swift decision. The department’s Clayson Monyela says this marks a decisive victory for the international rule of law and justice for Palestinians. He says the United Nations Security Council will be formally notified, challenging individual states’ veto power:

Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has, meanwhile, strongly rejected the International Court of Justice’s decision, affirming Israel’s steadfast commitment to international law and its inherent right to self-defence. In his remarks, Netanyahu has condemned what he calls, the false accusation of genocide, labelling it as both outrageous and discriminatory. Against the background of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, today, he has pledged an unwavering commitment with a resolute ‘Never Again’. Netanyahu argues Israel’s conflict is specifically against the genocidal Hamas terrorists, not Palestinian civilians. The prime minister promised continued defence measures and humanitarian assistance to protect the nation and its people.

# MPs received a briefing from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to dispel misunderstandings surrounding the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill. Adopted by the National Assembly in late 2023, the bill is currently undergoing parliamentary processing. Some submissions have said the bill remains restrictive, while others have referred to it as being a gateway for drugs. The department’s John Jeffery moved to clarify further what the bill entailed:

# And, cricket: After a poor run of form in the SA20, Quinton de Kock finally hit his straps for Durban’s Super Giants in their top-of-the-table clash against Paarl Royals in Paarl yesterday. The visitors won a one-sided affair by 57 runs and, in doing so, secured a bonus point to go to the top of the log. After the Super Giants opted to bat after winning the toss, De Kock and Jon-Jon Smuts put on 118 to help their side to 190 for 3. In reply, the Royals struggled as they lost wickets at regular intervals to be 133 all out in 19 overs and three balls.

Stay tuned for more news………….