News 09:00

BULLETIN 11 February 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The EFF calls for a fundamental review of Nersa’s tariff determination
# Gauteng government establishes an intergovernmental water war room 
# And, at least nine people are dead following a school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, Canada 

# The EFF has condemned the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s decision to approve even steeper electricity tariff increases for Eskom. Nersa has approved back-to-back tariff increases of 8.76-percent this year and 8.83-percent next year. The adjustment, up from an initial five-percent, is to make up to Eskom after the energy regulator blundered a previous price determination. The EFF is calling for an immediate halt to future electricity tariff increases, a fundamental review of Nersa’s tariff determination, and Eskom’s sustainability model.

# Union federation Cosatu says it is seeking an urgent engagement with government to find progressive solutions for the ongoing crises threatening the collapse of the South African Post Office. The business rescue practitioners for the Post Office have stated that it may be necessary to evaluate whether there is any reasonable prospect of rescuing the state-owned entity. Cosatu’s spokesperson, Matthew Parks, says it is also concerning that the 3.8-billion-rand commitment by the National Treasury has still not been received by SAPO:

# The Gauteng government has established an Intergovernmental Relations Water Operations Centre at the Provincial Disaster Management Centre in Midrand. This as the province is experiencing a water crisis. Provincial government spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga, says the purpose of the centre is to strengthen coordination, enable real-time system monitoring, improve joint decision-making, and provide a single source of verified information on the state of the provincial water system:

# At least nine people have been killed at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia, Canada. Six people were found dead inside the school, while a seventh died on the way to the hospital. Another two people were found dead at a separate location, which police believe was connected to the incident. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s North District chief superintendent, Ken Floyd, says roughly 25 people suffered non-life-threatening injuries:

# Rugby: Captain Maro Itoje returns to the England starting line-up for the Six Nations clash against Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday. The 31-year-old came on as a second-half replacement in the 48-7 victory over Wales last weekend. Jamie George, who deputised as captain in Itoje’s absence, makes way for Luke Cowan‑Dickie at hooker in the other change. Fly‑half Fin Smith, who has recovered from a calf problem, comes on to the bench in place of Marcus Smith. England are seeking their first win in Edinburgh since 2020.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 15-rand-88-cents and the euro at 18-rand-92-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-70-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 67-thousand-850-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-57-dollars-42-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 68-dollars-94-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….