News 12:00

BULLETIN 20 January 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The police have launched a manhunt for a Stilfontein underground kingpin
# The DA is against the 100-billion-rand Transformation Fund for black business
# And cricket: Gerald Coetzee is still in contention to be included in the Proteas’ squad for the Champions Trophy despite an injury

# North West police have launched a manhunt for a fugitive kingpin linked to underground crimes at mines in Stilfontein, James Neo Tshoaeli, alias “Tiger”. According to police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe, maximum resources have been mobilised, vowing accountability for officials who enabled Tiger’s escape from custody. She says the suspect, who is accused of assault, torture, and hoarding underground, is considered extremely dangerous:

# The DA says it strongly condemns minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau’s announcement regarding the creation of a 100-billion-rand Transformation Fund, to exclusively assist black businesses. The minister revealed in response to a parliamentary question that this would be funded by enforcing further codes for broad-based black economic empowerment in the private sector. The DA’s Toby Chance says government cannot arbitrarily impose taxes or new financial obligations on businesses without proper legislative procedures:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says one of the messages the South African delegation will take to the World Economic Forum meeting in Switzerland, is the country’s ongoing commitment to partnerships in pursuit of inclusive growth and sustainable development. The meeting comes as the country takes its spot at the forum bearing the Presidency of the Group of 20. In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa says at the centre of the G20 agenda is the promotion of cooperation among countries on the most pressing issues facing the world. 

# Cricket South Africa says Gerald Coetzee remains in contention for selection for the upcoming Champions Trophy, and a decision on his inclusion will be made in the first week of February. The fast bowler has been ruled out of the remainder of the ongoing SA20 tournament with a left hamstring strain. He was touted to replace Anrich Nortjé, who was ruled out of the 50-over tournament in Pakistan due to injury. CSA says Coetzee’s recovery will be monitored closely by the Proteas’ medical team.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-67-cents and the euro at 19-rand-25-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-78-cents and Bitcoin trades at 107-thousand-688-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-705-dollars-50-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-63-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King has remained at number one in the North American box office over the weekend. Sony’s One of Them Days starring Keke Palmer and singer SZA debuted at number two. The movie is the first female-led black comedy since 2017’s Girls Trip. Universal’s Wolf Man reboot, which was projected to climb to number one, dropped to third. Paramount’s hit family film Sonic the Hedgehog 3 placed fourth in its fifth weekend with Lionsgate’s Den of Thieves 2: Pantera in fifth place.

Stay tuned for more news………….