News 08:00

BULLETIN 10 February 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa is going to participate in a youth roundtable ahead of SONA
# The ANC welcomes Paul O’Sullivan’s decision to appear in person before the ad hoc committee
# And, King Charles is ready to support the police in their investigation of his brother, Andrew

# The National Youth Development Agency will be hosting a Presidential Youth Roundtable with president Cyril Ramaphosa and several ministers in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, today. This is part of a series of ongoing consultations the president is having with stakeholders ahead of the State of the Nation Address on Thursday. The roundtable will allow young South Africans a direct and open exchange with Ramaphosa and members of the National Executive. The Presidency says Ramaphosa will engage with youth on their perspectives, challenges, and ideas for the nation’s future. 

# The ANC has welcomed the confirmation of the physical appearance of forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan to testify before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee today and tomorrow. O’Sullivan had previously refused to appear physically, requesting a virtual appearance due to security concerns. ANC chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli told the SABC that the evidence of O’Sullivan is critical to understanding the alleged extent of infiltration within the South African Police Service, and more broadly within the criminal justice system:

# AfriForum has urged the government to abandon proposed amendments to the Firearms Control Act and focus on corruption within state institutions. The request follows after former police employee-turned whistleblower Patricia Mashale told a parliamentary ad hoc committee that police and other state institutions have sold firearms to criminals instead of destroying them. AfriForum’s Jacques Broodryk says the government should stop targeting law-abiding citizens and focus on tackling state corruption:

# Buckingham Palace says King Charles stands ready to support police as they consider allegations against his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Thames Valley Police is assessing claims that Mountbatten-Windsor shared confidential documents with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, while the former duke served as UK trade envoy. He has denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. Buckingham Palace says King Charles has made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct.

# Olympics: Two-time world champion Lindsey Vonn says she has no regrets after the American alpine skiing superstar crashed and broke her leg in her pursuit of Olympic gold in Italy. The 41-year-old, who was competing while dealing with a ruptured ACL she suffered a week earlier, crashed out early in her run during the women’s downhill competition on Sunday. She has now suffered a complex tibia fracture, which will require multiple surgeries. Vonn says knowing she stood there having a chance to win was a victory in and of itself.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-89-cents and the euro at 18-rand-94-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-76-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 69-thousand-753-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-24-dollars-63-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-58-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….