News 11:00

BULLETIN 14 February 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# IPID slams Ekurhuleni Metro Police for failing to discipline officers
# The power system is stable with Eskom cutting diesel costs
# And cricket: Laura Wolvaardt leads South Africa to a series win over Pakistan

# The assistant director for investigations at the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, Thulani Magagula, told the Madlanga Commission that six Ekurhuleni Metro Police officers accused of allegedly extorting 120-thousand-rand from a foreign national face no internal disciplinary action. Magagula says IPID made recommendations in 2024 for the municipality to act, but no hearings were held. He confirmed that the implicated unit operated under suspended deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi at the time:

# South Africa’s power system remains stable, supported by improvements under Eskom’s Generation Recovery Plan. Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokoena says the Energy Availability Factor has risen to 65.04-percent year-to-date, while diesel spending is 4.88-billion-rand lower than last year. The country has recorded 273 consecutive days without supply interruptions. She says Eskom will return two-thousand-429-megawatts ahead of Monday’s evening peak:

# The Gauteng Health Department is encouraging residents to prioritise protection this Valentine’s Day as sexually transmitted infections screenings among men between 15- and 49-years-old increased to over eight-thousand-809 in 2025. Deputy director for Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision and Condom management, Maeshela Maheya, says over ten-million female condoms were distributed, exceeding targets by 103-percent. However, over 15-thousand teenage pregnancies were recorded in 2025. She cautions older men against exploiting young girls and for community vigilance:

# US President Donald Trump says regime change in Iran is “the best thing that could happen. Trump declined to specify who he wants to lead Iran, but noted “there are people” who could take over. Iran’s clerical ruler, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has not yet responded to Trump’s latest remarks. Meanwhile, the US sent a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East to add pressure on Iran to secure a nuclear deal. Trump withdrew the US from an Obama-era nuclear deal with Iran in his first term in office and reinstated sanctions that have severely strained its economy.

# Cricket: South African captain Laura Wolvaardt almost inevitably led her team to victory by six wickets in the second of three T20 Internationals against Pakistan at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Friday night. Replying to the tourists 100-9 in a match shortened to 14 overs per side because of lightning, the consistently brilliant Wolvaardt finished unbeaten on 40 from 29. The victory secures the series with a game to spare and with a three-match ODI series to follow. The final T20 will follow at this same venue on Monday.

# And finally: The Two Oceans Aquarium is celebrating a special milestone as African penguin chicks Ember and Echo turn one this week. Born in February last year, Ember and Echo were the first penguins to hatch at the aquarium in a decade. Carefully raised, they have thrived, learning to waddle, feed, and swim confidently, offering hope for the critically endangered species. The public can join birthday celebrations at the aquarium today and tomorrow at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town.

Stay tuned for more news………….