News 09:00

BULLETIN 4 February 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Schreiber commends the private sector’s role in tackling visa backlogs
# The Informal Traders Alliance believes the Tobacco Bill will harm informal traders
# And the M23 rebels declare a humanitarian ceasefire

# Home Affairs minister Leon Schreiber has applauded the successful public-private collaboration in clearing the visa backlog of over 306-thousand unprocessed applications. He commended the backlog bomb squad for their dedication and innovative approach. According to Schreiber, the collaboration between the department and business partners has not only restored trust in Home Affairs but also paved the way for future reforms, including expanding services through digital platforms, including delivering documents to citizens’ doorsteps:

# The South African Informal Traders Alliance says while it acknowledges the health risks of smoking, it is concerned about the economic impact of the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill. Parliament’s portfolio committee on Health has concluded provincial public hearings on the bill. The legislation introduces stricter measures aimed at reducing smoking prevalence and limiting exposure to tobacco smoke. The alliance says if signed into law, the bill could inflict harm on over six-million informal traders who rely partly on tobacco sales for their livelihoods.

# The DA in Tshwane has expressed concern that mayor Nasiphi Moya has missed the deadline to submit a critical financial report to the council. In terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act, the mayor must table a report on the implementation of the budget, and the financial performance of the municipality, before the end of the quarter. The DA’s, Ofentse Madzebatela, says the report is important as it keeps the council, national and provincial Treasury, and the public informed of the financial situation of the municipality:

# The Rwandan-backed M23 rebel movement has announced a ceasefire starting today, to allow humanitarian assistance to reach the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to the United Nations, at least 900 people have been killed and two-thousand-880 injured in recent fighting in and around Goma, DRC’s largest eastern city, after it was seized by rebels. M23 says it does not intend to seize any further territory in the DRC, but it remains committed to protecting and defending the civilian population and its positions.

# Tennis: 2023 champion Daniil Medvedev is through to the second round of the Rotterdam Open in the Netherlands. The Russian came from a set down to beat 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland, 6-7, 6-4, 6-1. Medvedev will next face Italian qualifier Mattia Bellucci. Sixth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece defeated qualifier Harold Mayot of France, 6-1, 7-5. Meanwhile, Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz produced a clinical display to oust Italian Flavio Cobolli, 6-3, 6-2, and advance to the second round for the fifth consecutive year.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-74-cents and the euro at 19-rand-33-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-26-cents and Bitcoin trades at 100-thousand-600-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-819-dollars-10-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 75-dollars-30-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….