News 12:00

BULLETIN 15 January 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Public Protector probes alleged bribery at the Public Investment Corporation
# SANParks advises Kruger guests to use the Paul Kruger Gate for Skukuza amid rising river levels
# And rugby: Scott Robertson has stepped down as New Zealand’s coach

# Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka has launched an investigation into allegations of bribery and abuse of power at the Public Investment Corporation. This follows a whistleblower complaint and media reports implicating the chairperson, deputy Finance minister David Masondo, and legal head Lindiwe Masina-Dlamini. Allegations include misuse of public funds, irregular legal actions, and bribery linked to investments. MDN News alleges Masina-Dlamini had been engaging in unnecessary legal proceedings against black-owned businesses and received bribes from law firms involved in these cases.

Cosatu has meanwhile welcomed the resignation of state-owned Independent Development Trust CEO Tebogo Malaka. Her resignation comes amid allegations that she offered a bribe to an investigative journalist at the Daily Maverick to bury an ongoing investigation. Cosatu’s spokesperson, Zanele Sabele, says they are relieved that Malaka will not be receiving a golden handshake nor will her resignation shield her from facing criminal charges:

# SANParks advises guests visiting Kruger National Park to use Paul Kruger gate to access Skukuza rest camp as river levels rise in Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Other routes are affected, with Pafuri and Punda Maria gates remaining closed and some roads between Skukuza, Lower Sabie, Crocodile Bridge, and Satara flooded. SANParks spokesperson JP Louw urged visitors to follow the recommended gates and monitor updates for safe access:

# The Garden Route District Municipality in the Western Cape says the Swartberg Mountain wildfire remains uncontained. It spread down the mountain in a north-westerly direction, threatening a farm lower down. The municipality’s spokesperson, Herman Pieters, says crews were in place and stopped the spread while mopping up are in progress. He says the fire remains active on the northern slopes above the game farm:

# Rugby: The All Blacks have parted ways with coach Scott Robertson, two years into his four-year contract. The 51-year-old came under huge pressure following a first-ever away defeat to Argentina and a record 43-10 loss to South Africa in Wellington last year. Robertson says following the end-of-year review, he believes it’s in the best interests of the team for him to step aside. He says his departure will give the new coaching group time to prepare and take the team into the next World Cup.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-40-cents and the euro at 19-rand-8-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-4-cents and Bitcoin trades at 96-thousand-474-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-602-dollars-12-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-87-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….