News 06:00

BULLETIN 23 January 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The minister of Finance says South Africa remains a top destination for growth and investment
# The court hears Senzo Meyiwa’s murder was a contractual assassination rather than a botched robbery
# And cricket, the Proteas Women are raring to go against Australia

# Finance minister Enoch Godongwana says South Africa’s participation in global forums such as the World Economic Forum, reinforced their belief in the spirit of cooperation, as a critical part of an overall strategy to lift economic growth. Government says South Africa’s delegation to the forum used the platform to engage investors, civil society, and governments meaningfully and drove home the message that the country remains a top destination for growth and investment. Godongwana says countries stand to benefit from the common pursuit of a fairer, more inclusive, and representative global system.

# Economist Thabi Leoka has resigned as board member of Anglo American Platinum after her doctorate was called into question. Amplats says she is leaving to attend to her health. Leoka, who also served on the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, last week strongly denied accusations of lying about having a PhD from the London School of Economics. She disputed claims the accusations were why she departed from Remgro’s board. Netcare earlier admitted to not heeding a verification report that indicated her highest qualification as a master’s degree.

# The High Court in Pretoria heard that evidence obtained under oath shows the fatal shooting of Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa was a contractual assassination and not a botched robbery. This is according to the affidavit by the lead investigator in the murder, Bongani Gininda. Five men stand accused of Meyiwa’s 2014 murder in Vosloorus. During cross-examination yesterday, Gininda said evidence under oath revealed that five suspects actively participated in the planning and execution of the contractual murder of Meyiwa:

# Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC, Reagen Allen urges the High Court in the Western Cape to dismiss drug kingpin Fadwaan Murphy’s appeal on Monday. He received an 18-year sentence and a two-million-rand fine, while his ex-wife, Shafieka Murphy, was sentenced to 15 years. They faced 229 charges, including drug dealing and money laundering. Allen believes the Prevention of Organised Crime Act is crucial in maintaining law and order and combating crime:

# The first malaria vaccination campaign for children, supported by the World Health Organisation, has commenced in Africa. Gavi, the global vaccine alliance, collaborated with African countries for the rollout, which started in Cameroon yesterday. The vaccine, developed by UK’s GSK company, will be distributed across twelve nations. A second vaccine from Oxford University, produced by the Serum Institute of India, will be delivered in seven countries in May. Gavi’s chief programme officer, Aurélia Nguyen, says this pivotal moment is a fight against malaria, offering relief to families and healthcare systems.

# Cricket: Proteas Women and Lions allrounder Chloé Tryon says she has worked hard to recover from a groin injury. She is thrilled to be back with the national team on their tour of Australia which starts on Saturday. The tour features a T20, a one-day series, and a once-off Test match. The 29-year-old last appeared for South Africa in the team’s successful home tour against New Zealand in October last year, helping the Proteas secure a 2-1 ODI series win before drawing the rain-affected T20Is one all.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-18-cents and the euro at 20-rand-88-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-39-cents and Bitcoin trades at 39-thousand-716-dollars-94-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-20-dollars-75-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-81-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….