News 08:00

BULLETIN 6 February 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Suliman Carrim is warned of the consequences if he fails to appear before the Madlanga Commission
# The British prime minister apologises to Jeffrey Epstein’s victims
# And rugby: France launch its Six Nations title defence with a bonus-point victory against Ireland

# The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry says it expects businessman Suliman Carrim to appear before it today. This comes after the Johannesburg High Court dismissed his urgent application to interdict the commission from subpoenaing him to appear before it. Evidence presented before the commission suggests that ANC-aligned Carrim used his political pull to sway a 360-million-rand South African Police Service contract in favour of alleged criminal kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. The commission’s spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, says there are consequences if Carrim fails to appear:

# Business Leadership South Africa says the country’s reform programme is moving forward, but electricity sector setbacks are worrying. Its latest reform tracker shows overall progress has risen nearly 24-percent since March 2024, with gains in areas like transport, visas, infrastructure, water, and criminal justice. However, Eskom’s revised unbundling plan could slow the electricity grid and renewable energy projects. The organisation’s CEO, Busisiwe Mavuso, askes for urgent action to get electricity reforms back on track.

# National Assembly speaker Thoko Didiza will officially receive the refurbished Nieuwmeester Dome from the minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, in Cape Town today. The Dome will serve as a temporary venue for parliamentary activities until the completion of the Parliament rebuilding project. This is ahead of president Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address next Thursday. The cost of the refurbishment project has been estimated at more than 31.7-million-rand. Minister Macpherson says the structure is now equipped to support the business of Parliament. 

# British prime minister Keir Starmer has apologised to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s victims for appointing Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the United States. Mandelson shared sensitive internal government information with Epstein while serving in Gordon Brown’s government. Downing Street has conceded that the prime minister was aware of Mandelson’s links to Epstein when his appointment as US ambassador was confirmed early last year. Starmer says he will do everything in his power to ensure accountability is delivered:

# Rugby: France began their Six Nations title defence with a bonus-point 36-14 victory over Ireland in Paris. Les Bleus scored five tries through 2025 top try-scorer Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who crossed the line twice, Matthieu Jalibert, Charles Ollivon, and Theo Attissogbe. Thomas Ramos added four conversions and a penalty. Ireland responded with tries from replacements Nick Timoney and Michael Milne, both converted by Sam Prendergast. France’s defence coach Shaun Edwards says they are fully deserving of the win:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-26-cents and the euro at 19-rand-17-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-3-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 64-thousand-660-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-820-dollars-77-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 67-dollars-49-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….