News 11:00

BULLETIN 27 January 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Calls mount for the reform of the monetary policy committee to reflect South Africa’s population
# Cape Winelands fire services are fighting blazes in the Breede Valley and Witzenberg
# And, rugby: The Blitzboks have been beaten by Argentina in the final pool game of the Perth Sevens

# Economists are calling for reform of the Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee, citing the impact of high interest rates on households. Speaking to eNCA, economic advisor Roelof Botha emphasised the need for the committee to reflect the population and address their needs. Botha suggested broadening the committee to include representatives from institutions involved in negotiations regarding interest rates, such as the Banking Association and the SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This will ensure a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to decision-making: 

# The Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Fire Services, in collaboration with their partners, are actively battling two fires in the Breede Valley and Witzenberg areas. According to spokesperson, Jo-Anne Otto, the fire lines in the Bain’s Kloof area are moving towards Steenbok Park, while the second fire line is located on the Gouda/Saron side of the mountain. Meanwhile, the Fairy Glen, Worcester, fire continues to be intractable:

# A Singapore court has sentenced a South African man to two years in jail for smuggling rhino horns. This is the heaviest sentence ever handed down in the city-state for smuggling wildlife parts. Singapore’s National Parks Board says Gumede Joel was arrested at Singapore’s Changi airport in 2022 after authorities found 20 rhino horns worth over 16-million-rand in his luggage. He was travelling from South Africa to Laos through Singapore. Joel was sentenced on two counts of transiting with rhino horns without a valid permit.

# Rugby: The Blitzboks lost their final Pool A encounter against Argentina at the Perth Sevens earlier this morning, but still have a chance in the Cup quarter-final. South Africa lost 19-5 after trailing by 14-5 at half-time. The Blitzboks finished second in Pool A behind Argentina. Both teams are through to the Cup quarter-finals with South Africa facing Fiji in the one quarter-final.

# And finally: The South African Police Service is commemorating National Police Day by raising funds for the children of officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. Over 100 golf players from various corporate companies have pledged and raised funds for the South African Police Education Trust Fund. National police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, confirms a total of 6.6-million-rand has been pledged to support the educational needs of the children. She says the funds raised will contribute towards ensuring the well-being of the children of slain police officers:

Stay tuned for more news………….