News 08:00

BULLETIN 12 January 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Nomvula Mokonyane says the ANC is determined to fix local government
# The search for a teenager who went missing on a Vaal River boat cruise to continue
# And, president Donald Trump is confident the US will own Greenland

# ANC First Deputy Secretary-General, Nomvula Mokonyane, says 2026 is a year of decisive action to fix local government and transform the economy. The beleaguered local government sector is plagued by malfeasance and fiscal challenges, in which billions of rand are wasted on fruitless, wasteful, and unauthorised expenditure annually, affecting the delivery of basic services. Mokonyane told Newzroom Afrika that the ANC is firmly committed to implementing its strategic objectives in local government:

# Parliament will this week kick off its 2026 programme with the two Houses holding plenaries to consider Money Bills, while the Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi will resume its hearings. Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo says on Tuesday, the National Assembly will consider the Special Appropriation Bill, the Adjustments Appropriation Bill, the Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill and the Taxation Laws Amendment Bill:

# Members of the South African Police Service’s Water Wing, Search and Rescue Unit, will today continue the search for a 17-year-old, who is suspected to have fallen off a boat into the Vaal River on Friday. Thomas Junior Sithole from Driehoek High School vanished near the Stonehaven resort during a boat cruise with friends. Reportedly, his disappearance was not immediately reported to the police, and his family was alerted several hours later. One person was taken in for questioning by the police, but no arrests have been made yet. 

# President Donald Trump says he is confident that the US will own Greenland. Denmark and Greenland say the territory is not for sale, with Denmark warning military action would spell the end of the NATO military alliance. A Danish poll suggests that 38-percent of Danes think the US will launch an invasion of Greenland under the Trump administration. Speaking to journalists on board Air Force One, Trump reiterated that the US needed to own” Greenland to stop Russia and China from doing so:

# Cricket: The Durban Super Giants returned to winning ways with a narrow two-wicket victory over the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in their SA20 clash in Gqeberha. Captain Tristan Stubbs scored an unbeaten 47 as the Sunrisers posted a competitive total of 158 for five in their 20 overs. In reply, Marques Ackerman scored 45 to help the Super Giants reach the target with three balls to spare. The win moves the Durban-based side into fifth place on the table, keeping their playoff chances alive.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-45-cents and the euro at 19-rand-18-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-9-cents and Bitcoin trades at 92-thousand-366-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-577-dollars-36-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-7-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….