News 09:00

BULLETIN 12 January 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The DA condemns minister Lamola over his support for the BRICS military exercise
# SAFTU demands massive public investment in infrastructure
# And rugby: Ulster handed a bonus-point win against the Cheetahs

# The DA has condemned International Relations and Cooperation minister, Ronald Lamola, for his public defence of South Africa hosting sanctioned Iranian and Russian naval vessels during the BRICS Exercise “Will for Peace”. The naval exercises with China, Russia and Iran began on Saturday off the coast of Cape Town. The DA’s Ryan Smith says by allowing DIRCO to proceed unchecked in these military exercises, Lamola has effectively exposed the country to serious diplomatic and economic risk:

# The South African Federation of Trade Unions demands massive public investment in infrastructure, energy, logistics, and communications, to restore industrial competitiveness and create sustainable jobs. South Africa’s latest labour market results show the unemployment rate fell to 31,9-percent in the third quarter of 2025. SAFTU’s spokesperson Asive Dyani also demands an end to austerity and the adoption of expansionary, worker-centred fiscal policies that prioritise employment and industrial renewal:

# Gauteng Roads and Transport MEC, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, has cautioned scholar transport operators that unroadworthy vehicles and those lacking valid operating permits will be promptly impounded. This as schools reopen on Wednesday. MEC’s spokesperson Lesiba Mpya says the safety of learners travelling to and from school is non-negotiable, and the government will not tolerate operators who put children’s lives in danger:

# United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has expressed shock at reports of violence and excessive use of force by the Iranian authorities against protesters, resulting in deaths and injuries. At least 420 protesters have been killed and more than three-thousand-200 people arrested in anti-government demonstrations. Guterres says all Iranians must be able to express their grievances peacefully and without fear. He has also called for steps to enable access to information, following the government’s shutdown of internet and mobile connectivity last Thursday.

# Rugby: The European Professional Club Rugby has awarded Ulster a 28-0 bonus-point victory over the Cheetahs, after the cancellation of their Challenge Cup round three clash in the Netherlands on Sunday. The fixture was originally scheduled to take place at the NRCA Stadium in Amsterdam, but adverse winter weather forced organisers to make a venue change. The game was then moved to Duke Rugby Club; however, the pitch was deemed unfit for play. EPCR says that as the hosts, the responsibility rested with the Cheetahs to ensure the fixture could be fulfilled.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-47-cents and the euro at 19-rand-19-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-10-cents and Bitcoin trades at 91-thousand-903-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-568-dollars-8-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-9-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….