News 11:00

BULLETIN 14 January 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# COSATU calls on the ANC to improve workers’ rights
# The Black Sash decries Sassa’s repeated failure to pay social grants as inexcusable
# And, Biden says the US does not support Taiwan’s independence

#  Congress of South African Trade Unions president Zingiswa Losi says the ANC owes public servants following unfulfilled agreements. Addressing the ANC’s 112th anniversary celebrations in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, Losi highlighted concern about public sector workers being short-changed in salaries and the need to fill vacant posts, especially in healthcare and the police. She calls for the rollout of the infrastructure programme with the implementation of proper timeframes. Losi also called on president Cyril Ramaphosa to implement the two-pot pension fund system from 1 March:

At the event, Ramaphosa rallied ANC party members and supporters to strive for a targeted and decisive victory in the upcoming elections. Ramaphosa is seeking a second term as president. The president emphasised the party’s commitment to accelerating economic reconstruction, renewing the ANC, and combating crime and corruption. The ANC is set to launch its election manifesto next month:

# Human rights organisation, Black Sash, has criticised the South African Social Security Agency for missing the January payments. SASSA attributes the latest payment glitch to verification delays, leaving 150-thousand social grant beneficiaries without their money. The agency pledges double payments next month to rectify the issue. Black Sash spokesperson Thandi Henkerman deems SASSA’s actions unacceptable, accusing the agency of breaching its constitutional obligation.

# President Joe Biden says the United States does not support the independence of Taiwan. Reuters reports Biden was asked for his reaction to the elections in Taiwan, after voters rebuffed China and gave the ruling party a third presidential term. The US switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, saying it does not support a formal declaration of independence by Taiwan. It does, however, maintain unofficial relations with the self-governed island and remains its most important backer and arms supplier.

# And, rugby: The Lions put up one of their bravest defensive performances last night, but it wasn’t enough to stop them from losing their first game in the Challenge Cup, going down to Montpellier 13-3. The home team scored two unconverted tries and a penalty against a penalty by the Lions. Earlier, in Durban, the Sharks achieved a 38-7 bonus point win over Oyonnax in their Challenge Cup fixture. Ox Nche and Makazole Mapimpi both scored two of the Sharks’ four tries, while Oyonnax scored one.

Stay tuned for more news…………