News 13:00

BULLETIN 22 December 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The inquiry into police corruption has seen 14 witnesses this year, with more expected next year
# The Forum for South Africa questions the promotion of over nine-thousand police officers to higher ranks
# And in soccer: A tight Southern African derby contest is expected as South Africa and Angola renew their AFCON rivalry

# Parliament’s ad hoc committee probing police corruption has concluded much of its work, but will continue hearings into 2026. Fourteen witnesses have testified so far, including KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala. More testimony is expected from suspended Ekurhuleni police deputy head Julius Mkhwanazi, former Independent Police Investigative Directorate head Robert McBride, and a written submission from President Cyril Ramaphosa.

# Forum for South Africa says the promotion of nine-thousand-548 police officers to higher ranks alone does not fix the broken policing system, plagued by corruption, political interference and poor leadership. The promotions target officers who have spent ten years or more in their current rank. FOSA leader, Tebogo Mashilompane, says there is no public clarity on whether the promoted officers were comprehensively vetted:

# Five people were killed when two light motor vehicles collided on the R60 Road between Stockwell and Zolani in the Western Cape in the early hours of this morning. The deceased are from the same vehicle. Western Cape Mobility Department’s spokesperson, Muneera Allie, says authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision:

# Investigators looking into the deadly Bondi Beach attack believe three pipe bombs and a tennis ball bomb were thrown towards the crowd before the father and son accused began shooting. Twenty-four-year-old Naveed Akram faces charges of murdering 15 people and injuring dozens more in the shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on 14 December. His 50-year-old father, Sajid Akram, died at the scene. Police allege in the court document that the pair also recorded videos in which they shared views suggesting they adhered to a religiously motivated violent extremism ideology.

# Soccer: South Africa and Angola meet in a Southern Africa derby as they open Group B of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco this afternoon at 5pm. It is their fifth AFCON meeting in the group stages. Bafana Bafana have two wins and two draws, but Angola are unbeaten in the last six encounters. Bafana Bafana captain Rowen Williams remains confident in the team:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-69-cents and the euro at 19-rand-59-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-40-cents and Bitcoin trades at 89-thousand-60-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-411-dollars-60-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 60-dollars-59-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….