News 11:00

BULLETIN 20 January 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Cele remains concerned about the killing of police officers across South Africa
# The EFF says gang violence and lawlessness have become common in Gauteng schools
# And, rugby: High praise for retiring referee Jaco Peyper

# Minister of Police Bheki Cele remains deeply concerned about police safety across South Africa. As the members of SAPS continue to intensify their responses to criminality in a bid to keep communities safer, the start of the new year has been marred by attacks on police on and off duty. The ministry’s spokesperson Lirandzu Themba says from January last year to date, 33 police officers have been killed on duty:

# The EFF in Gauteng says gang violence and lawlessness have become common in schools around Gauteng, with over 240 schools considered high-risk by authorities. More than 700 schools across the province are overcrowded, requiring five-thousand-500 classrooms to address the environmental, behavioral, and psychological effects of overcrowding on learners and teachers. The EFF’s spokesperson, Dumisani Baleni, says it is crucial to consider matric results in light of the prevailing learning conditions in the province:

# RISE Mzansi leader, Songezo Zibi, and the party’s national leadership collective are unveiling their People’s Manifesto at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria today. The manifesto is the party’s commitment to the people of South Africa. RISE Mzansi’s Mabine Seabe says this is the culmination of listening, consultation, community meetings, policy gatherings and the party’s People’s Convention:

# South Africa’s trade conditions showed a slight improvement in December. While 38-percent of respondents expressed positivity, 43-percent anticipated better conditions in the next six months.  In December, 67-percent reported lower sales volumes, but 37-percent saw increased new orders. According to the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, foreign trade and inbound tourism provided positive impacts, counter-acting weak retail trade volumes and economic uncertainties.

# And, rugby: Foremost South African referee Jaco Peyper has decided to hang up his whistle. Following the announcement, the president of SA Rugby, Mark Alexander, hailed Peyper as one of the best ambassadors for South African rugby in the last decade. The 43-year-old refereed the last of his 67 Tests at last year’s Rugby World Cup. He is the sixth most-capped Test referee in history. Peyper says he is privileged to have spent so many years in the game.

Stay tuned for more news………….