News 09:00

BULLETIN 31 December 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Cape Town prepares for busy New Year’s Eve celebrations
# Gauteng appeals for vigilance amid the vandalism of streetlights and traffic signals
# And Cricket: Another victory for Australia over India will clinch its place in final of World Test Championship

# The City of Cape Town’s enforcement teams are prepared for New Year’s Eve, with over 35-thousand attendees expected at the Waterfront fireworks display. The City has warned that fireworks are prohibited without a permit. In addition, motorists have been cautioned of possible road congestion. Safety and Security mayoral committee member, JP Smith, called on residents to celebrate responsibly:

# Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, has urged road users to be on the look out due to vandalism of streetlights and rising incidents of road spiking in high-risk areas. This follows recent vandalism along the R24 road near O.R. Tambo International Airport. The MEC’s spokesperson, Lesiba Mpya confirmed that road maintenance teams are on standby to address infrastructure issues:

# The Patriotic Alliance intends to file a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission against SABC employee Nobuntu Mkhize after her alleged racist remarks on a FlySafair flight. PA deputy leader Kenny Kunene condemned her comments stating that her behaviour highlights the danger of privilege unchecked after she used her status as the daughter of her late father Khaba Mkhize to discredit staff members. He called on the SABC to take firm action.

# Five people face charges over the death of British singer Liam Payne in Argentina. The former band member of One Direction, fell to his death from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires in October. Thirty-one-year-old Payne’s friend, Roger Nores, the hotel manager and the receptionist are charged with manslaughter, while two other employees were charged with supplying cocaine to the singer. Nores stands accused of failing to provide care, assistance and help towards his friend while knowing that he suffered from multiple addictions.

# Cricket: South Africa’s opponent in June’s final of the World Test Championship at Lord’s could potentially be one of three teams. If Australia also wins the fifth and final Test against India, starting in Sydney on Friday, they will clinch the second spot. If India wins at the SCG, they will stay in contention, while a draw will keep Sri Lanka in the running. The coming series between Australia and Sri Lanka could still have a bearing depending on the result in Sydney.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-79-cents and the euro at 19-rand-54-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-57-cents and Bitcoin trades at 92-thousand-472-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-604-dollars-48-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 74-dollars-47-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….