News 13:00

BULLETIN 1 March 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# COSATU says the death of 14 soldiers in the DRC can be linked directly to the austerity budget cuts
# Minister Kubayi says the planned publication of the sexual offenders national register has been temporarily halted
# And cricket: Heinrich Klaasen is ready for the clash against England in the Champions Trophy

# COSATU says the death of 14 South African Defence Force solders in the Democratic Republic of the Congo last month can be linked directly to austerity budget cuts. Speaking at the conclusion of the labour federation’s executive committee meeting yesterday, spokesperson Zanele Sabela says this left the defence force without adequate resources, exposed its personnel to harm, and its injured not attended to. Sabela added at the height of its success, Denel was counted among the world’s best producers of military equipment, both aerospace and land:

# Justice and Constitutional Development minister Mmamoloko Kubayi says due to confidentiality and disclosure provisions in the Sexual Offences and Related Matters Act, the planned publication of the law and national register cannot proceed as originally envisioned. Kubayi, initially expressed the intention to make the register public by the end of February. The ministry’s spokesperson Terrence Manase says the department has identified the need to review the legislation to enable key reforms, particularly regarding confidentiality and disclosure provisions that currently restrict public access:

#  The City of Cape Town has condemned the incident where Bingo, their anti-litter mascot vehicle and team driver in Gugulethu, was ambushed and hijacked on Thursday. The incident occurred while the driver was on his way to pick up its team for their next school visit when the Toyota Quantum transporting Bingo was stolen. Fortunately the driver was unhurt in the attack and is receiving counselling. Mayoral committee member for Urban Waste Management, Grant Twigg says the Bingo costume was also taken with the vehicle:

# Just hours after the terse exchange at the White House between Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky on one side and US president Donald Trump on the other, European leaders were quick to voice their full support for the war-torn country. The exchange, broadcast live on television, resulted in shouting match in the White House’s Oval Office. Europe’s top politicians took to X, previously Twitter, to express their continued unconditional support for Zelensky and Ukraine. The EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated Ukraine is Europe and they stand by Ukraine.

# And cricket: Heinrich Klaasen, South Africa’s ballistic middle-order batter, is fully fit and ready for today’s Champions Trophy clash against England in Karachi. Klaasen missed the opening 107-run win over Afghanistan earlier this week with a left-elbow soft-tissue injury. A win for South Africa will guarantee them a spot in next week’s semi-finals as they will top the group with five points. If England win, then South Africa and Afghanistan will finish on three points each, and second place in the group will be determined by net run-rate.

Stay tuned for more news………….