News 11:00

BULLETIN 30 December 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# A ballistics report links a seized firearm to the Atteridgeville mass shooting
# President Ramaphosa provides clarity on gender-based violence and femicide being classified as a national disaster
# And, Benjamin Netanyahu says Donald Trump will receive Israel’s highest civilian excellence honour

# National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola has applauded the multidisciplinary team investigating the Atteridgeville mass shooting for registering another breakthrough. Twelve people were shot dead, and 13 others wounded when gunmen opened fire at a tavern in Saulsville earlier this month. Last week, police arrested one of the three persons of interest in Limpopo. National Police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, says that during his arrest, a firearm and several rounds of ammunition were seized:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says no temporary powers have been assigned to ministers following the designation of gender-based violence and femicide as a national disaster. In a reply to a parliamentary question by ActionSA, he says the classification under section 23 of the Disaster Management Act does not require the conferment of temporary powers or the issuing of regulations and authorisation of resource allocations. Ramaphosa says instead, cabinet has adopted five priorities to guide the development of a programme of action through which the response to GBVF will be enhanced.

# The City of Tshwane says power restoration has begun at the Olievenhoutbosch Substation following a fire incident. Electricity has been restored to surrounding areas, with remaining areas to be reconnected gradually. Some of the affected areas include Zwartkop, Highveld and Eco Park. The metro’s spokesperson, Selby Bokaba, says damage to the substation is extensive, including destroyed cabling and switch gear, meaning restoration will take several days to complete safely:

# Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says US president Donald Trump will be awarded the Israel Peace Prize, the country’s highest civilian honour. The two leaders met at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Monday for talks aimed at working out a series of issues in the Middle East. Trump will be the first non-Israeli recipient of the award. Netanyahu says Trump is receiving the award for his tremendous contributions to Israel and the Jewish people:

# Cricket: The Sunrisers Eastern Cape registered their second straight bonus-point victory with a comfortable 48-run win over Pretoria Capitals in Gqeberha. Player of the Match Quinton de Kock scored 77 off 47 balls to help the Sunrisers post 188 for six in their 20 overs. In reply, New Zealander Adam Milne took four wickets as the Capitals were bowled out for 140 with two overs remaining. The victory has propelled the Sunrisers to the top of the SA20 table, while the Capitals remain winless after two matches.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-65-cents and the euro at 19-rand-59-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-48-cents and Bitcoin trades at 87-thousand-294-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-367-dollars-25-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 61-dollars-38-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….