News 11:00

BULLETIN 26 December 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The GBV command centre to operate 24/7 during the festive season
# North Korea’s Kim Jong Un signals continued missile development in next five years
# And soccer: Bafana Bafana’s character is to be tested against Egypt in their AFCON encounter

# The Department of Social Development’s Gender-Based Violence Command Centre is operating 24 hours a day throughout the festive season. The centre provides free and confidential support to survivors, including counselling, referrals to shelters, social workers, and the police. Acting spokesperson Sandy Godlwana says the service ensures victims can access immediate help and protection during a period often marked by increased cases of abuse:

Meanwhile, the Central Drug Authority warns alcohol abuse and illegal liquor outlets remain a serious concern. Speaking to SABC News, chairperson Nomcebo Dlamini says more than five-thousand-200 illegal outlets have been shut since the festive season began, highlighting widespread lawlessness. Dhlamini says alcohol is strongly linked to gender-based violence and calls for better coordination between government and communities. She urges residents to report illegal outlets and underage drinking to authorities:

# Johannesburg mayoral committee member for Public Safety, Mgcini Tshwaku, says the City will engage tenants living in hijacked buildings to assess who can afford rent and pursue negotiations instead of relying only on evictions. Tshwaku says where residents cooperate, basic repairs and safety upgrades will be done. He adds that criminals and illegal operators will be dealt with decisively, as the City intensifies block-by-block clean-up to restore safety and order:

# Gift of the Givers teams have been activated following multiple informal settlement fires across the Western Cape since the early hours of this morning. Spokesperson Ali Sablay says a fire destroyed a number of structures and leaving close to 200 people homeless in Imizamo Yethu Informal Settlement in Hout Bay. He says Gift of the Givers is attending to another fire in Vygieskraal, Manenberg:

# North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signaled the country will continue to develop missiles in the next five years, as he visited major munitions enterprises in the last quarter of 2025. According to state media KCNA, Kim said the country’s missile and shell production sector is of paramount importance in bolstering the war deterrent. Kim ratified draft documents for the modernization of major munitions enterprises to be submitted to a key party congress expected to be held in early 2026.

# And soccer: Bafana Bafana face a huge test tonight against Egypt at the Grand Stade d’Agadir in their AFCON encounter. Both giants entered Group B with 2-1 victories—South Africa edging past Angola and Egypt surviving a scare against Zimbabwe thanks to a late Mohamed Salah strike. With a win likely securing a knockout spot, the stakes are massive. Bafana coach Hugo Broos must ensure defensive discipline to contain Salah, while relying on the form of Lyle Foster and Oswin Appollis to break down the Pharaohs. Kick-off is at 6 pm.

Stay tuned for more news………….