News 09:00

BULLETIN 5 December 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Parliament will subject a motion on political funding to further scrutiny
# Over 300 written submissions are made to the electoral reform panel
# And a manhunt is launched following the killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO

# Parliament’s portfolio committee on Home Affairs has unanimously resolved to subject a motion of the Political Funding Act to thorough scientific scrutiny. The motion relates to the review of the 15-million-rand annual limit on donations to a political party by a single individual or entity, and the 100-thousand-rand disclosure threshold for donations to parties and independent candidates or representatives. Committee chairperson, Mosa Chabane, says the study must consider the inflationary implications in determining the upper limit and disclosure threshold.

# The Electoral Reform Consultation Panel says it has received around 350 written submissions on electoral reform including from all 18 political parties in Parliament. The panel is tasked with independently investigating, and making recommendations on potential reforms of the electoral system, for the election of the National Assembly and the provincial legislatures. The panel’s, Michael Hendrickse, says the electoral reform is not a silver bullet for resolving all of South Africa’s problems:

# The DA in the Eastern Cape is calling on the Legislature Speaker, Helen Sauls-August, to launch an investigation into the alleged systemic corruption in the legislature. Allegations include unauthorised payment of over three-million-rand to the ANC in September, and a failure to effect ICT upgrades in the Legislature Chamber despite being allocated four-million-rand to do so in 2021. The DA’s, Yusuf Cassim, says these allegations point to a legislature captured by corruption, and wasteful spending:

# New York police have launched a manhunt for a suspect following the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The 50-year-old was fatally shot outside the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan. The suspect fled the scene without taking any of Thompson’s belongings and was last spotted in Central Park on an electric bicycle. New York City Police Department Commissioner, Jessica Tisch, says at this time, every indication is that this was a premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack:

# Soccer: English Premier League leaders Liverpool failed to extend their winning run to five games, after a three-all draw against Newcastle at St James’ Park. The Reds twice trailed and then led thanks to a double from Mohamed Salah, however, goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher’s error saw Fabian Schar equalise in the 90th minute for Newcastle. Reigning champions Manchester City returned to winning ways with a three-nil win over Nottingham Forest. Arsenal defeated Manchester United two-nil while Chelsea thrashed Southampton five-one. Liverpool’s lead at the top is now cut to seven points.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-16-cents and the euro at 19-rand-11-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-8-cents and Bitcoin trades at 102-thousand-724-dollars-32-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-648-dollars-28-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 72-dollars-36-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….