News 13:00

BULLETIN 8 January 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Premier Ntuli backs Mkhwanazi for a second term as KwaZulu-Natal’s police commissioner
# Cosatu believes Mothibi will provide firm leadership to the NPA
# And cricket: Stokes admits they could have played much better in the Ashes

# KwaZulu-Natal premier Thami Ntuli has endorsed provincial police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for a second term, as his contract ends in March. This follows a meeting with national police commissioner Fannie Masemola. Mkhwanazi has been praised for strong crime-fighting leadership and for exposing alleged political interference and corruption in law enforcement. His actions led to the Madlanga commission of inquiry and a parliamentary ad hoc committee probe, which resumes this month. Ntuli says he is satisfied with Mkhwanazi’s performance and wants continuity in law enforcement.

# Cosatu says Andy Mothibi’s sterling track record of delivering real results at the Special Investigating Unit will stand him in good stead at the National Prosecuting Authority. President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Mothibi as the National Director of Public Prosecutions to replace outgoing Shamila Batohi. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks says the NPA has been one of the weakest links in the government’s fight against crime and corruption, and requires firm leadership:

# The Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Fire Services in the Western Cape has confirmed the fire reported in Languedoc, Stellenbosch, late yesterday afternoon, has been contained. No injuries were recorded, and no damage to property. The municipality’s spokesperson, Anesca Roodt, says ground teams will remain on the scene to conduct monitoring and mopping-up operations until the area is declared safe:

# Cricket: England’s captain, Ben Stokes, admits his side could have done better in the Ashes series. Australia registered a comprehensive victory by five wickets in the fifth and final Test in Sydney today to clinch the Ashes 4-1. Stokes says he has no thoughts of relinquishing the captaincy, but admits big improvements need to be made within the squad:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-47-cents and the euro at 19-rand-22-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-14-cents and Bitcoin trades at 90-thousand-197-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-430-dollars-31-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 60-dollars-7-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Former International Relations and Cooperation minister Naledi Pandor has been appointed chancellor of Nelson Mandela University, effective from the first of April. The university’s chairperson, judge Nambitha Dambuza, says Pandor’s four-year appointment reflects her lifelong commitment to education, social justice and public service. Pandor succeeds Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, whose term ends in March. Council praised Fraser-Moleketi for her dedication and service over two terms.

Stay tuned for more news………….