News 11:00

BULLETIN 9 January 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Ramaphosa says ministers who fail to delegate responsibilities to their deputies will be sanctioned
# Minister Kubayi will meet with the National Prosecuting Authority and the Special Investigating Unit to ensure a smooth transition
# And rugby: The Champions Cup resumes this weekend

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned cabinet ministers who fail to delegate official tasks to their deputies will be sanctioned. Following the formation of the government of national unity, he appointed 32 ministers and 43 deputies, aimed at accommodating the ten coalition partners. In a parliamentary reply to a written question by the EFF, Ramaphosa stated the delegation of responsibilities is one of the indicators in ministers’ performance agreements. He adds it’s his prerogative to determine the appropriate sanction for ministers.

# Justice and Constitutional Development minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, is expected to meet with the leaders of the National Prosecuting Authority and the Special Investigating Unit. This follows the appointment of SIU head Andy Mothibi as National Director of Public Prosecutions. Leonard Lekgetho has been appointed as acting head of the SIU. The ministry’s spokesperson, Terrence Manase, says Kubayi has full confidence in both Mothibi and Lekgetho:

# The Western Cape government has spent 15-million-rand on aerial firefighting as the province faces an intense fire season. So far, 38 aerial missions have been carried out; an estimated 90-thousand hectares have been burnt with 45 structures destroyed, with no fatalities reported. Water shortages are also a concern in Langeberg, Knysna, and Bitou. Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell warns the hot and dry conditions may extend the fire season beyond March.

Moving abroad:

# United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, says the US’ decision to withdraw from international organisations is regrettable. Nearly half of the 66 affected bodies are UN-related, including the Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Population Fund, which supports maternal and child health, and combating sexual and gender-based violence. Guterres’ spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, says all UN entities will continue to carry out their mandates:

# Rugby: The Champions Cup resumes this weekend, with the Bulls, the Sharks and the Stormers representing South African interests. The Bulls take on Bristol Bears at home at Loftus tomorrow afternoon, while the Sharks and the Stormers are playing in Europe. The Sharks face Sale Sharks in England tomorrow night, while the Stormers will compete with Harlequins in London on Sunday. The Stormers lead Pool 3 at the moment, while the Bulls and the Sharks lie in fifth positions in Pools 4 and 1, respectively.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-54-cents and the euro at 19-rand-26-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-20-cents and Bitcoin trades at 90-thousand-974-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-473-dollars-68-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-43-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….