News 08:00

BULLETIN 25 January 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Cyril Ramaphosa says government efforts to turn the economy around is undermined by persistent high crime levels
# The South African Weather Service issues a heatwave warning for Gauteng
# And rugby, the Sharks end the Stormers unbeaten run in the United Rugby Championship

# ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa says government efforts to turn the economy around and to improve the quality of life of all South Africans is undermined by persistent high levels of crime, violence and corruption. Ramaphosa was speaking at the ANC’s annual national executive committee Lekgotla in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni. He says government have done much to rebuild the capabilities, integrity and credibility of the law enforcement agencies in the wake of state capture:

# COSATU has welcomed the announcement by Chery South Africa Investment that they will be taking over the Nissan’s Rosslyn plant in Pretoria. The federation says this is an important vote of confidence in South Africa by a major and growing Chinese car manufacturer. COSATU’s spokesperson Matthew Parks says it’s critical that they retain the existing staff on their current conditions of employment:

# Meanwhile the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa has welcomed the Chery announcement. GIWUSA president Mametlwe Sebei says he is pleased with the immediate preservation of jobs for the hundreds of workers and their families who faced uncertainty. He added this outcome is a testament to the power of worker solidarity and the essential role of the manufacturing sector:

# The City of Ekurhuleni and Gauteng Provincial Disaster Management Center are warning residents to brace for the possibility of a heatwave across the province. The South African Weather Service has announced that warm to hot conditions are expected to continue from today into the new week, with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers possible over the central and eastern parts of the country. The city’s Disaster and Emergency Management spokesperson William Ntladi warn people to take the necessary precautions:

# Russia launched another vast attack on Ukraine’s energy system yesterday rocking the capital Kyiv with explosions throughout the night and leaving 1.2-million properties without power countrywide during subzero winter cold. Over three-thousand buildings were without heating last night as temperatures hovered around -10 degrees Celsius.  Moscow carried out the strikes as trilateral U.S.-brokered talks between Russia and Ukraine continued into a second day in the United Arab Emirates, later adjourning with no sign of a compromise.

# And finally in rugby news: The Sharks pulled off a massive upset last night ending the Stormers‘ unbeaten run in the United Rugby Championship with a clinical 30–19 victory at a packed Cape Town Stadium. This was a historic win for Durban side, as it marked their first-ever URC win in the Mother City in five attempts. The Sharks points came from four tries, two conversions and two penalties, while the Stormers scored two tries, a penalty try and a conversion. The Sharks move from 14th to 11th on the URC log, while the Stormers still remain on top for now.

Stay tuned for more news………….