News 06:00

BULLETIN 26 February 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Eskom suspends load-shedding
# Fikile Mbalula says those responsible for leaking cabinet discussions must be held accountable
# And rugby: Rassie says Steven Kitshoff was a true team player

# Eskom has suspended load-shedding following the successful recovery of generation capacity. The full story is in our next bulletin.

# Traditional leaders have been urged to use the G20 summit in November as a platform to showcase South Africa’s rich cultural heritage. Speaking at the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, he emphasised that cultural diplomacy can strengthen international ties, promote tourism, and boost economic opportunities for local communities. With the summit being held in Africa for the first time, Ramaphosa encouraged traditional leaders to engage actively in discussions:

# ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula says individuals leaking cabinet discussions must be held to account in line with the law. This comes after reports that the cabinet has rejected Finance minister Enoch Godongwana’s revised budget, saying it is not workable. A special cabinet meeting was held on Monday to discuss the postponed budget, including a proposed two-percent value-added tax hike. Mbalula says being in a government of national unity does not change the laws that govern how cabinet functions:

# The Congress of South African Trade Unions has welcomed Treasury’s 150-million-rand transfer to the South African Post Office, offering much-needed relief to struggling employees. COSATU’s Matthew Parks urges the Treasury to release the remaining funds from the court-sanctioned business rescue package. Parks says a long-term turnaround plan is essential, including competent management, tackling corruption, and expanding the Post Office’s courier services. He emphasised that government support is critical to ensuring the Post Office and Postbank become financially stable and contribute to the economy.

# The National Prosecuting Authority has provisionally withdrawn fraud charges against former Johannesburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda and co-accused Mduduzi Zondo. The pair were accused of deceiving Soweto residents into paying for fake funeral policies under iThemba Lama Afrika, where they were directors. NPA’s Phindi Mjonondwane says further investigation continues before criminal proceedings resume:

# An unknown disease has killed more than 50 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with 419 reported cases since 21 January. The World Health Organisation’s Africa office said the first outbreak was discovered in Boloko, in the northwest of the country. According to reports three children ate a bat and died following haemorrhagic fever symptoms. The interval between the onset of symptoms and death has been 48 hours in the majority of cases.

# Rugby: Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus describes prop Steven Kitshoff as a true team man after he announced his retirement yesterday. The 33-year-old was forced to call it quits due to a serious neck injury. Kitshoff played in 83 Tests for South Africa since his debut in 2016 and is a two-time World Cup champion. Erasmus says he earned enormous respect from his team-mates and coaches because of his high work ethic, and will always remain a fine ambassador of what the Springboks stand for.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-39-cents and the euro at 19-rand-36-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-29-cents and Bitcoin trades at 88-thousand-767-dollar-20-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-914-dollars-50-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-64-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….