News 11:00

BULLETIN 18 January 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Eskom saves 16.42-billion-rand on diesel usage in the current financial year
# Severe cold forces the Trump inauguration indoors
# And rugby: A Bok boost for the Stormers in Paris

# Eskom has revealed that it’s continuing suspension of load-shedding saved 16.42-billion-rand in diesel costs. Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena says the diesel saving is about 62.9-percent less than the 26.09-billion-rand that was used during the same period last year, as a result of the continued execution of the generation operational recovery plan. She says diesel usage of 16.42-billion-rand remains below the year-to-date budget:

# The theft case of more than one-million-rand against a 49-year-old crime intelligence employee has been postponed to Wednesday for a bail application in the East London Magistrate’s Court. Ntombekhaya August was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime team in East London, Eastern Cape for allegedly facilitating the theft from the Crime Intelligence Offices. It is alleged that a man, posing as a visitor, threatened her with a firearm and left with the cash. She was arrested five days later.

# For the first time in 40 years president-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration will take place inside the U.S. Capitol on Monday rather than outdoors because of severe cold. Trump said on his Truth Social platform there was an Arctic blast sweeping the country and he did not want to see people hurt or injured in any way.  He ordered the Inauguration Address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda.

# Rugby: Springboks Evan Roos and Joseph Dweba come into the Stormers starting line-up for the Champions Cup clash with Racing 92 in Paris tonight. Dweba is joined in the front row by Neethling Fouché. Captain Salmaan Moerat is joined in the second row by Ruben van Heerden, while Willie Engelbrecht and Marcel Theunissen are on either side of the scrum with Roos at number 8. There is a new halfback pairing of the experienced Dewaldt Duvenage and Jurie Matthee, with Clayton Blommetjies at fullback. Kick-off is at 10pm.

# And, the National Council of SPCAs says it will be laying criminal charges against the individual seen in a recent viral video pouring an alcoholic beverage, suspected to be beer, down the mouth of a common carp. Spokesperson Jacques Peacock says the individual, publishing as “Lethabo_Sebapo” on TikTok, has been tracked, and contacted, and the compilation of a docket is in its final stages. He says Sebapo is heard laughing and appears entertained throughout the video:

Stay tuned for more news………….