News 08:00

BULLETIN 7 February 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

#  Dirco slams an advisory by the Nigerian High Commission and says Nigerians living in South Africa are safe
# The state is accused of dragging its feet to complete the probe into the murder of a KwaZulu-Natal reverend
# And cricket, Sunrisers Eastern Cape are through to the SA20 final

# The Department of International Relations and Cooperation says the advisory issued by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria is regrettable. The commission has called for caution over what it describes as veiled threats against Nigerians living in South Africa. This is ahead of the two nations’ semifinal match at the Africa Cup of Nations today. The commission urged its citizens to refrain from provocative celebrations should the Super Eagles win. Dirco’s spokesperson, Clayson Monyela, says the advisory seems to create alarm and unnecessary tension:

# A coalition of prominent organisations urges president Cyril Ramaphosa to deliver a transformative State of the Nation address tomorrow night. The organisations, including the Institute for Economic Justice, and Corruption Watch, ask Ramaphosa in an open letter to align government policy across all sectors to address the needs of marginalised communities. They also criticises National Treasury for the potential defunding of crucial social programmes such as gender-based violence. The groups urge government to prioritise unemployment, improve social grants, and invest in infrastructure and economic expansion.

# The state has been accused of dragging its feet in finalising its investigation into the murder of NG Kerk Suidkus reverend Liezel de Jager. Her husband, Werner de Jager, who stands accused of killing her, appeared in the Amanzimtoti Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Prosecutor Gayle Greyling says they need three months to finalise the probe. De Jager’s legal representative Andre May says it is unacceptable that since October when his client was arrested, the probe has not been completed. The bail ruling is set for the 22nd of this month.

# Qatari prime minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, says Hamas has given a generally positive response to proposals aimed at the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza and a sustained cessation of fighting with Israel. Qatar serves as one of the key mediators in negotiations with Hamas. Negotiators in Paris agreed to the framework of the proposal at the end of last month. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says they are reviewing the response from Hamas and will discuss it with Israeli government officials today.

# Cricket: Defending champions the Sunrisers Eastern Cape beat the Durban Super Giants by 51 runs in qualifier one at Newlands to power into their second consecutive SA20 final. The Sunrisers posted 157 for eight with Dawid Malan top-scoring with 63. In reply, Marco Jansen and Ottniel Baartman claimed four wickets each as the Super Giants were bowled out for just 106 with three balls remaining in the innings. Sunrisers’ coach, Adrian Birrell, says the team has been impressive throughout the tournament:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-82-cents and the euro at 20-rand-26-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-73-cents and Bitcoin trades at 42-thousand-878-dollars-53-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-34-dollars-35-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-71-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….