News 06:00

BULLETIN 1 December 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says South Africa’s G20 Presidency was impactful
# South Africa orders an urgent probe into mercenary recruitment
# And cricket: India beat South Africa in the first ODI

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the impact of South Africa’s G20 Presidency extends beyond the warm welcome and the memorable experiences of visitors. He briefed the nation on Sunday evening on the success of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, the first to be held on African soil. He says South Africa placed Africa’s growth and development at the heart of the G20’s agenda, undertaking this responsibility at a time when the world is facing complex challenges:

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa says the declaration adopted at the G20 Leaders’ Summit is a clear demonstration that the spirit of multilateral cooperation is alive and strong. The declaration was adopted by overwhelming consensus at the summit held last weekend in Johannesburg. Ramaphosa says that working with the leaders of G20 countries, they were able to find agreement on some of the issues that hold back the growth and development of South Africa and Africa:

# The Presidency has ordered investigators to probe how South African men were recruited into suspected mercenary roles in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Seventeen men are trapped in the volatile Donbas region after being duped with promises of high-paying security jobs. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told News24 the men made distress calls, prompting urgent diplomatic action. Five suspects have been arrested and will appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court today for allegedly contravening the Foreign Military Assistance Act.

# South African Revenue Service commissioner Edward Kieswetter has called for the prosecution of all individuals implicated in the Madlanga Commission and Parliament’s ad hoc committee on alleged corruption. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika after receiving the Kathy Award, Kieswetter warned that corruption threatens SARS and public funds. He urged authorities to hold civil servants and bribe-payers accountable, stressing the need to restore integrity:

# Parliament Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities will convene this week to shortlist candidates for the National Council for Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. The meeting was initially set for last week Friday, however, Members of Parliament requested more time to review documents and candidate motivation letters. The Council is expected to play a key role in strengthening the national response to gender-based violence and femicide while guiding long-term prevention strategies.

# Cricket: Thirty-seven-year-old Virat Kohli starred with the bat as India defeated South Africa by 17 runs in the first ODI in Ranchi to lead the three-match series 1-0. Kohli scored 135 from 120 balls, his 52nd century in the format, as the hosts posted a daunting total of 349 for eight in their 50 overs. In reply, Matthew Breetzke scored 72 while Kuldeep Yadav claimed four wickets, as the Proteas were bowled out for 332. The second ODI will be played in Raipur on Wednesday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-9-cents and the euro at 19-rand-83-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-63-cents and Bitcoin trades at 91-thousand-146-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-227-dollars-82-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-19-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….