News 13:00

BULLETIN 23 February 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Technical challenges led to stage 6 load-shedding
# Soccer: Banyana Banyana edges Lesotho 1-0 in WAFCON preparations
# And rugby: Ireland still tops the Six Nations log after the victory over a much-improved Wales

# Eskom CEO Dan Marokane says stage 6 load-shedding was triggered by multiple unit failures at Majuba power station in Mpumalanga after a transformer overload. He confirmed the issue is a structural and technical setback, but assured that isolation measures are in place. Despite further unit trips at Medupi and Camden, Eskom remains committed to its generation recovery plan. Marokane warns this week remains crucial in the recovery process:

# A new study forecasts that Sasol’s Secunda plant in Mpumalanga will decline after 2030 due to carbon taxes, emission targets, and dwindling coal and gas reserves. Experts predict production will drop, impacting South Africa’s economy. However, Sasol refutes claims that the plant is in its sunset phase, emphasising renewable energy investments and efficiency improvements. The company insists it will adapt rather than shut down, despite mounting environmental and financial pressures.

# The trial of Lawrance Mdlalose, accused of causing the deadly Usindiso Building fire in Johannesburg, will return to the High Court in the city on the 14th of April. He faces 76 murder and 12 attempted murder charges. Prosecutors allege he set the fire on 31 August 2023 to cover up an assault. Mdlalose’s Legal Aid representation has been confirmed. A commission of inquiry was launched to investigate the tragedy.

# Firefighters in the Cape Winelands faced a tough night battling multiple fires. Spokesperson Jo-Anne Otto says the Dunstone and Rooshoek fires near Wellington were contained, while teams at Oaklands diverted flames away from horse stables and plantations. In Witzenberg, successful backburns helped contain key fire lines. Otto confirmed that crews continue mopping up and monitoring hotspots as efforts to control the blazes persist:

# Soccer: Banyana Banyana secured a narrow 1-nil win over Lesotho in an international friendly at the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto Campus. Nobahle Mdelwa’s penalty was the difference. Coach Desiree Ellis used the match to expand her squad ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in July. She urged players to learn to play to their strengths when they approach Lesotho again in the final international friendly encounter:

# And rugby: Ireland and England are leading the Six Nations log after victories over Wales and Scotland, respectively. Ireland had to work hard to subdue a much-improved Wales 27-18 in Cardiff. Wales led 18-10 at one stage, but couldn’t contain the defending champion in the later stages. At Twickenham, England scraped through 16-15 against Scotland. South African winger Duhan van der Merwe’s last-minute try brought the visitors to within a point of the hosts, but co-captain Finn Russell missed the conversion. Italy hosts France in Rome this afternoon.

Stay tuned for more news………….