News 07:00

BULLETIN 7 January 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Former presidents Zuma and Mbeki have filed applications to have Justice Khampepe removed
# A foreign national is arrested after 10 teenage boys were rescued in Joburg
# And tennis: The Australian Open singles champions will each pocket 46.5-million-rand

# Former statesmen Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki have each applied for the recusal of retired Justice Sisi Khampepe from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Prosecutions Commission. The Commission is investigating allegations of interference in the prosecution of apartheid-era crimes. Jacob Zuma Foundation’s spokesperson, Mzwandile Manyi, says the applications cite alleged conflicts of interest linked to Khampepe’s previous roles within the TRC and the National Prosecuting Authority:

# The National Student Financial Aid Scheme will advance upfront tuition payments to TVET colleges on 31 January. Acting Board Chairperson Mugwena Maluleke says the payment, calculated at 20-percent of each college’s tuition allocation, will support early operations. Subsequent payments will depend on the verification of registration data. He has urged colleges to submit accurate monthly updates and reminded students that allowances will be paid directly into personal bank accounts only:

# A 47-year-old foreign national was arrested for suspected human trafficking in Mulbarton on Tuesday, after ten half-naked teen boys were rescued in the Johannesburg CBD. Private security company Fox, Johannesburg Metro Police, and members of SAPS responded to a tip-off that a group of boys were seen walking naked in Mulbarton. Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale says the suspect will make his first court appearance in the Booysens Magistrate’s Court tomorrow:

# President Donald Trump has described the US military operation in Venezuela as an incredible thing, which was brilliant tactically. The US seized president Nicolás Maduro and his wife during the operation on Saturday and said it would run the country. Maduro has pleaded not guilty to charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy and possession of machine guns. Speaking to House Republicans, Trump says Democrats have been reluctant to congratulate him, despite their ongoing condemnation of Maduro’s regime:

# Tennis: The Australian Open will see an increase of 16-percent in prize money this year. The singles champions will take home 46.5-million-rand each out of the total of 1.227-billion-rand, while the increase also includes the qualifying rounds. Tennis Australia’s CEO, Craig Tiley, says this shows the tournament’s commitment to support the game at every level. The year’s first Grand Slam tournament starts in Melbourne on the 18th, with Italian Jannik Sinner and American Madison Keys the defending champions.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-34-cents and the euro at 19-rand-11-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-7-cents and Bitcoin trades at 92-thousand-428-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-467-dollars-30-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 60-dollars-12-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….