News 11:00

BULLETIN 16 December 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Electricity and Energy minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says says private power boosts energy security
# An analyst urges the MK Party in KZN to accept the no-confidence outcome
# And the City of Cape Town is set to budget 180-million-rand for the construction of a security wall along the N2 highway

# Electricity and Energy minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says on-boarding new generation capacity from private producers is delivering positive results. Ramokgopa announced preferred bidders under the first phase of the Independent Transmission Projects programme yesterday. Ramokgopa also announced additional bidders under Bid Window 7 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme. He says growing private sector participation is strengthening grid capacity, energy security, and supporting efforts to stabilise electricity supply:

# Political analyst Ntsikelelo Breakfast says the MK Party must accept the outcome of the failed no-confidence motion against KwaZulu-Natal premier Thami Ntuli and respect democratic processes. Violence by the MK Party and the EFF erupted in the legislature after speaker Ntobeko Boyce ruled against the secret ballot. Speaking to SABC News, he urged parties to follow formal grievance procedures and manage conflict institutionally:

# The City of Cape Town is set to invest 180-million-rand in the construction of a security wall along the N2 highway, particularly in the vicinity of Cape Town International Airport. This initiative aims to curb the alarming rise in violent crime targeting motorists in the area, exacerbated by ongoing smash-and-grab attacks and other dangerous incidents. Although the N2 is a national road administered by SANRAL and the provincial authorities, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis advocated for the construction of the security wall to be included in the city’s forthcoming capital budget.

# The Johannesburg Metro Police Department says 173 motorists were arrested for drunk driving in just one week during Tshela Thupa festive season operations. They warn that driving under the influence is a criminal offence and offenders will face heavy fines, possible jail time and the loss of their driving licences. JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla says drunk driving is dangerous and puts lives at risk:

# American president Donald Trump has been branded sick after launching an extraordinary attack against murdered film director Rob Reiner. Trump said on Truth Social that Reiner and his wife died due to the anger he caused others through his affliction with a mind crippling disease known as Trump Derangement Syndrome. Patrick Schwarzenegger, Whoopi Goldberg, California governor Gavin Newsom, and Republican US House member Thomas Massie were among those criticising Trump, calling his comments “disgusting” and “petty”. The filmmaker’s 32-year-old son Nick has since been arrested on murder charges. He has a known history of addiction and mental health issues.

# Rugby: Welsh captain Jac Morgan and teammate Dewi Lake are both swopping Welsh club Ospreys for English outfit Gloucester at the end of the season. This follows rumours about the number of professional clubs set to be reduced from four to three by 2027. This could lead to Ospreys and Scarlets being in a fight for survival. BBC News reports over 80 Welsh players will be without contracts at the end of the season, with the national team at an all-time low.

Stay tuned for more news………….