News 12:00

BULLETIN 17 January 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Concerns rise amid increased doubt about South Africa’s electoral system
# AfriForum welcomes an extension deadline for written submissions on the Bela Bill
# And cricket: Sunrisers Eastern Cape record their first victory of the SA20 season

# Political analyst Amanda Gouws has cautioned against the recent rhetoric casting doubt on South Africa’s electoral system, deeming it dangerous. This comes in the backdrop of statements made by former president Jacob Zuma and ex-ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule, raising ballot-rigging speculations and concerns about the credibility of the electoral process. Gouws advised that such utterances are a potential threat to the democratic foundation:

# AfriForum has welcomed the postponement of the 19th of January deadline for the public to provide written submissions on the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill. The deadline is now the 31st of this month. AfriForum’s Alana Bailey says if the Bela Bill is passed in its current format, communities’ and parents’ decision-making powers regarding crucial aspects of their children’s education will be terminated:

# The Public Servants Association has slammed the South African Revenue Service for non-compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act at its fire-damaged building in Rissik Street, Johannesburg. It say, despite partial repairs after a fire last year, the building falls short of safety standards. According to the PSA, SARS claims the building is safe, but returning employees seemingly face a constant burning smell and a gas odour. The association’s Henry Hall expressed grave concern over inadequate safety in government buildings and pledges to take legal action if employees’ health is jeopardised.

# The US body handling unofficial ties with Taiwan calls Nauru’s decision to break ties with Taipei shortly after an election, unfortunate, and warns Beijing’s promises to the Pacific island nation may go unfulfilled. Reuters reports US officials have previously expressed concern at China whittling away at Taiwan’s allies, especially in Central America. After Nauru ended ties with Taiwan earlier this week, the island is left with only 12 countries that formally recognise it.

# Cricket: Sunrisers Eastern Cape batter Jordan Hermann says reaching personal milestones only matters if the team wins. He led the Sunrisers to their first win of the SA20’s second season, by beating M-I Cape Town by four runs at Newlands. The 22-year-old scored an impressive century as the visitors made 202 for two. In reply, the homeside was restricted to 198 for five. Hermann says he is happy with how he performed:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-2-cents and the euro at 20-rand-68-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-9-cents and Bitcoin trades at 42-thousand-681-dollars-45-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-and-24-dollars-8-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-19-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….