News 08:00

BULLETIN 15 January 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Macpherson says the resignation of the IDT CEO does not exempt her from accountability
# Saai criticises the Agriculture minister’s foot-and-mouth disease response
# And, Denmark’s Foreign minister says there are ‘red lines’ the US cannot cross

# Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, has welcomed the resignation of embattled Independent Development Trust CEO, Tebogo Malaka. She was placed on precautionary suspension in August last year, following a PwC investigation that uncovered irregularities in the IDT’s 836-million-rand oxygen plant tender. Malaka was also caught on camera allegedly attempting to bribe Daily Maverick journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh. Macpherson says the IDT has committed to cooperate fully with all ongoing investigations:

# The Southern Africa Agri Initiative says Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen’s foot-and-mouth disease plan does not give farmers the clear solutions they need. While Saai welcomesvaccine imports from Brazil and Turkey, it believes South Africa urgently needs more vaccines and help from private producers. The organisation’s Francois Rossouw also warns that support for stray and communal cattle, law enforcement, and communication with farmers is lacking. Rossouw calls for financial aid, clear logistics, and better outbreak monitoring.

# IFP leader Velenkosini Hlabisa says the government of provincial unity in KwaZulu-Natal cannot afford to collapse, warning of potential political instability. This follows the decision by the National Freedom Party, which has been described as a kingmaker, to withdraw from the multi-party pact in the province, citing its intention to join the opposition benches. Hlabisa says his party will remain in constant engagement with its government of provincial unity partners in KwaZulu-Natal, and will also engage with the EFF if it cannot find common ground with the NFP.

# Denmark’s Foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen says there is still a fundamental disagreement with the US over Greenland. This follows talks with US vice-president JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House on Wednesday. The meeting came after president Donald Trump said anything less than US control of Greenland is unacceptable. Rasmussen says they have agreed to set up a high-level working group to discuss the future of Greenland:

# Cricket: The Sunrisers Eastern Cape recorded a comprehensive 61-run victory against the Joburg Super Kings at St George’s Park to secure their place in the SA20 playoffs. Sunrisers debutant James Coles scored an unbeaten 61 to lead the homeside to 178 for five in their 20 overs. In reply, Senuran Muthusamy took three wickets as the visitors slumped to 117 all out. Muthusamy says overall their performances have been good so far:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-41-cents and the euro at 19-rand-10-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-4-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 96-thousand-302-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-595-dollars-20-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-10-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….