News 13:00

BULLETIN 20 February 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner seeks an interdict against businessman Calvin Mathibeli over social media allegations
# Wits-students are demanding the registration of all students regardless of historic debt
# And canoeing: The defending champions are in the lead on Day Two of the 75th Dusi Marathon

# KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has filed an urgent application in the High Court in Durban for interdict against businessman Calvin Mathibeli, wanting statements accusing him of corruption and unlawful conduct declared false and defamatory. The dispute centres around Mathibeli’s social media post following a police raid linked to Calvin Security. Mathibeli detailed a seven-year battle with provincial police and accused Mkhwanazi of being a rogue police officer who was taking protection fees from taxi owners. The matter will be heard on Tuesday.

# Forum for South Africa is calling for an investigation into excessive meat price increases. Data from Statistics South Africa shows the annual rate for meat accelerated to 13.5-percent from December’s 12.6-percent, while three beef products recorded the highest annual rates of all 391 products in the consumer price index basket. FOSA leader Tebogo Mashilompane says meat is becoming unaffordable for working-class households:

# University of the Witwatersrand students say they will continue to protest, calling for the immediate registration of all students, regardless of historic debt. The Student Representative Council says at least 20-thousand students remain unregistered, including nine-thousand who were financially excluded last year. Student debt totals approximately 1.5-billion-rand. The SRC says it is unacceptable that students are financially excluded from studying. Wits has committed to continue working with the SRC to address issues related to registration, student funding and other matters.

# Canoeing: Defending champions Andy Birkett and Matt Fenn were in the lead at the start of the second day of the Dusi Marathon in KwaZulu-Natal. They won the first stage after a tactical duel with Sbonelo Khwela and Msawenkosi Mtolo, finishing just 23-seconds ahead. In the women’s category, Abby Solms and Robyn Groenink claimed the opening stage victory. The grueling three-day, 120-kilometre race which started at the Bishopstowe Hall Country Club in Pietermartizburg, continues toward Durban, with the finish line at Blue Lagoon tomorrow.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-8-cents and the euro at 18-rand-92-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-65-cents and Bitcoin trades at 68-thousand-106-dollars. Gold sells at five-thousand-and-40-dollars-78-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 71-dollars-17-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The Gauteng Health Department is concerned about the growing obesity crisis in the province, and its direct link to the rise in non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, stroke and heart disease. In the past 12 months, the province recorded more than 67-thousand newly detected cases of hypertension. MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko says the health and well-being of residents is important:

Stay tuned for more news………….