News 06:00

BULLETIN 27 January 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA is calling on minister Motshekga to brief Parliament about the SANDF in the Democratic Republic Congo
# The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation backs the Expropriation Act
# And rugby: The Blitzboks finish 4th in Perth

# The DA is calling on minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, to urgently brief Parliament on the deteriorating situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This comes after M23 rebels in the eastern DRC killed nine South African National Defence Force soldiers last week. The DA’s, Chris Hattingh, says a detailed report to members of Parliament will help determine how best to withdraw the SANDF from the DRC:

Meanwhile, the Joint Standing Committee on Defence has emphasised the need for an investigation following the deaths of the Defence Force members. Eighteen members were reported injured during a confrontation with the M23 rebel group on Thursday. The committee co-chairpersons Malusi Gigaba and Phiroane Phala emphasised the need to investigate combat readiness, intelligence capabilities, and support equipment. They vowed to enhance oversight, ensuring SANDF soldiers are adequately equipped for future missions.

# The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation supports the Expropriation Act, stating it addresses historical inequalities. The foundation’s Derek Hanekom emphasised the importance of aligning land expropriation with constitutional principles, promoting transparency and legal oversight. Despite opposition from political parties, experts warn it could affect national unity stability. He stresses the importance of focusing on the Act’s intent to ensure fairness in land expropriation:

# The South African Communist Party has called on the ANC NEC Lekgotla to base 2025-2026 budget priorities on the Alliance’s 2024 manifesto. Key focuses include employment creation, industrialisation, poverty eradication, universal healthcare, and a Sovereign Wealth Fund. In addition, the SACP opposes austerity policies and advocates state-led infrastructure and economic reform to address unemployment and inequality. It emphasises monitoring, planning, and resource allocation for inclusive growth while reaffirming its opposition to neo-liberal policies and monopoly capital.

# The uMkhonto weSizwe Party has condemned eThekwini Municipality’s water shedding crisis, citing mismanagement and outdated infrastructure as root causes. According to the party, residents face exorbitant bills, faulty meters, and supply cuts while enduring disrupted daily lives. The MK Party demands immediate sustainable action, including infrastructure upgrades, fair billing audits, and rescinding water supply restrictions. They warn of possible legal action if issues persist, emphasising water as a basic human right.

# Rugby: The Springbok Sevens went down 14-7 to Spain in the third-place playoff on Sunday, the final day of the Perth Sevens. Hosts Australia denied the Blitzboks a spot in the final with an extra-time victory in their semifinal, before Spain denied the South Africans a place on the podium. Argentina retained their Perth title by beating Australia 41-5 in the final. Blitzbok coach, Philip Snyman, says the team’s discipline was not up to scratch:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-50-cents and the euro at 19-rand-37-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-6-cents and Bitcoin trades at 102-thousand-874-dollar-50-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-767-dollars-24-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-13-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….