News 07:00

BULLETIN 17 December 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister McKenzie defends the government of national unity
# Late applications for Grade 1 and Grade 8 in Gauteng open today
# And cricket: The Proteas Women seal the ODI series against Ireland

# Sports, Arts and Culture minister, Gayton McKenzie, has defended the government of national unity, saying it is delivering jobs, economic stability, and low inflation. He was speaking at the national commemoration of Reconciliation Day in KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday. McKenzie emphasised that the GNU is united and will ensure president Cyril Ramaphosa remains in office until 2029:

# Home Affairs minister Leon Schreiber says none of the 153 Palestinian travellers who arrived at OR Tambo International Airport last month requested asylum in South Africa. Only 23 had the required documentation and confirmed accommodation, meeting Immigration Act requirements. The remaining passengers were initially unprocessed. Following a question by Al Jama-ah Member of Parliament, Imraan Ismail-Moosa, Schreiber told Parliament that he engaged with the Border Management Authority to admit the travellers on humanitarian grounds under the care of Gift of the Givers.

# National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola has raised concerns that illegal miners may be trapped in Bapong, North West, after the ground caved in. At least eleven illegal miners were arrested and ten excavators seized following a visit by senior members of Natjoints and the South African Defence Force. Masemola has called for weekly monitoring by law enforcement. He urged residents and operators to comply with regulations as authorities intensify inspections and enforcement measures:

# The Gauteng Education Department’s 2026 online admissions system will open for late applications for Grade 1 and Grade 8 today. There are currently ten-thousand-295 unplaced learners. The department’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona, says late applications are intended for parents and guardians who did not apply during the main application period, and those who have incomplete applications for Grade 1 and Grade 8:

# United Nations Special Rapporteur, Ben Saul, has called for an independent and impartial investigation to determine whether authorities missed any opportunities to prevent the shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach in Australia. At least 15 people, including one child, were killed in Sunday’s targeted attack on the Jewish community during a Hanukkah celebration. One of the gunmen is dead, while the second suspect, his son, is in the hospital. Saul has also called on authorities to ensure that Muslim Australians and migrant communities are not stigmatised for the actions of suspected criminals.

# Cricket: Captain Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus starred with the bat as South Africa defeated Ireland by 74 runs in the second Women’s ODI in Gqeberha, to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Wolvaardt scored 124 and Luus 114 as the hosts posted 375 for six, their highest ODI total. In reply, Orla Prendergast kept the visitors in the hunt with her 97; however, Leah Jones took three wickets as Ireland was restricted to 301 in 47.5 overs. The third and final ODI will be in Johannesburg on Friday.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-73-cents and the euro at 19-rand-67-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-47-cents and Bitcoin trades at 87-thousand-711-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-315-dollars-11-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 59-dollars-8-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….